Resources

image

Quick Links

Kana

Kanji

  1. Kanji Enigma 漢字の謎
  2. Ankidrone Foundation: Learn essential words using the kanji that form them, building a strong foundational vocabulary (.apkg file).
  3. Kanjidamage: A unique mnemonic-based approach to learning kanji, ideal for memorizing characters in isolation.
  4. Hacking Kanji - Guide: 2,200 Kanji in 97 Days.
  5. Kanjidamage+ Reference: An extensive list of kanji from the Kanjidamage system, available on a single webpage for easy access.
  6. Kanji Koohii: Help you complete the kanji learning method called Remembering the Kanji.
  7. RTK Search: Explore kanji characters with Koohii stories, providing context and memorable anecdotes.
  8. Kanjipedia: Kanji search site operated by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation.
  9. Kakijun: Help you find the stroke order of a kanji.

Anki Decks

A single, well-curated Anki deck is often sufficient to teach you the basics of Japanese vocabulary.

  1. Ankidrone Essentials: Our primary deck for foundational learning. Third-party decks can be added for specialized topics.
  2. Core 10k Anki Deck, Core 6k/10k Vocabulary Reference: Extensive decks and references covering a wide range of vocabulary.
  3. Core 2.3k: A foundational deck; remember to modify the card template from Word Cards to Targeted Sentence Cards for better context learning.
  4. Japanese Core 6000 Vocab Anki Decks + Audio & Pitch Accent
    Japanese Core 1000 Vocab
    Japanese Core 2000 Vocab
    Japanese Core 3000 Vocab
    Japanese Core 4000 Vocab
    Japanese Core 5000 Vocab
    Japanese Core 6000 Vocab

Grammar

  1. All About Particles: A highly regarded book (HTML Page, PDF), considered indispensable by many learners for its clear and systematic explanation of Japanese particles.
  2. Tae Kim's Grammar Guide: Offers a logical breakdown of Japanese grammar, ideal for beginners who need a straightforward, detailed guide without overwhelming complexity.
  3. Dictionary of Japanese Grammar Reference: A digital reference for grammar structures and usage examples, perfect for deeper study.
  4. Another Dictionary of Japanese Grammar Reference: An alternative online resource offering a slightly different perspective on grammar rules.
  5. DoJG Anki Deck: A specialized deck featuring example sentences that utilize DoJG grammar points, enhancing practical understanding.
  6. Sakubi: A concise guide tailored for immersion learners, providing essential grammar insights without excessive detail.
  7. Ixrec's Guide to Japanese: A structured approach to grammar, useful for systematic learners who prefer step-by-step explanations.
  8. Itazuraneko's 文型一覧表: A master table of grammar patterns compiled from various dictionaries, offering a broad overview for comprehensive learning.

JLPT

  1. Dethitiengnhat: A platform offering practice tests from past JLPT exams to help gauge and improve your proficiency.
  2. JLPT Grammar List: A thorough list covering grammar points for all JLPT levels, essential for targeted preparation.
  3. 問題検索室: A search tool for finding JLPT questions by keywords, useful for focused studying.
  4. JTest4You: Provides practice tests and resources categorized by JLPT levels, from N5 to N1.
  5. JLPT文法解説まとめ: An exceptional free resource for learning JLPT-specific grammar patterns, more comprehensive than most other sites.
  6. 毎日のんびり日本語教師: A well-organized resource described under Grammar in Japanese
  7. The JLPT Study Page: Extensive study materials including vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading comprehension, and quizzes across all levels from N5 to N2.

Examples and Pronunciations

Finding the right example sentences can be challenging when you encounter complex sentences or lose track of useful examples. The following resources are invaluable for sourcing clear, contextual examples.

  1. Massif: Search over 30 million unique Japanese sentences to find the perfect example for your learning context.
  2. Sentence Search: Provides access to voiced sentences from various premade decks. An offline version is available for download here.
  3. Aozorasearch: A robust search engine for the Aozora Bunko digital library, great for finding authentic literary examples.
  4. Weblio英語例文検索: While primarily for Japanese learners of English, it can be reverse-used for English speakers learning Japanese.
  5. Forvo: Offers pronunciations of many Japanese words in isolation, although it lacks comprehensive sentence examples.
  6. YouGlish for Japanese and CaptionPop: Search YouTube videos with transcripts to hear words in natural contexts. Download videos and watch using mpv.
  7. 用例.jp: A site dedicated to example sentences.
  8. Reverso: A powerful translation and example sentence tool for learning context.
  9. Jisho.org: Not recommended for sentence examples as many come from non-native sources like Tatoeba.
  10. NHK Accent Audio: Downloadable audio files from the NHK Accent dictionary, helpful for mastering pitch accent and pronunciation nuances.

Immersion Material

Streaming

  1. Animelon: Watch anime with Japanese subtitles, enhancing listening and reading skills simultaneously.
  2. Anjsub: Another platform similar to Animelon, offering a variety of anime with Japanese subtitles.
  3. B9GOOD: Access a wide range of raw anime content for an authentic viewing experience.
  4. HiAnime: Stream anime with options to switch between different audio and subtitle tracks, catering to diverse learning preferences.
  5. Animerulz: A multilingual anime streaming website that offers content in Japanese, English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and more.
  6. AQStream: Stream Japanese TV channels live, perfect for immersive language learning.
  7. BiliBili: A Chinese platform featuring a variety of Japanese TV shows, ideal for exposure to different content genres.
  8. jp.m3u: An m3u playlist with Japanese IPTV channels, viewable in mpv. Navigate channels in mpv with keyboard shortcuts.
  9. News24.jp: Stream Japanese news live, though extensive non-free JavaScript is required. Alternatively, view via mpv using this shortcut.
  10. keylabo: A directory of online Japanese TV channels, though compatibility with mpv varies.

YouTube with Subtitles

Channels for Pre-Beginner Japanese Learners:

  1. Onomappu: Engaging content tailored for beginners, featuring clear explanations and helpful visuals.
  2. Meshclass Japanese: Focuses on Japanese language learning through accessible, easy-to-follow videos.
  3. Comprehensible Japanese: A resource for learning Japanese through comprehensible input, emphasizing listening comprehension.

General Interest Channels:

  1. Japanese YouTube Channels with Japanese Subtitles on GitHub: A curated list of YouTube channels that provide subtitles in Japanese, enhancing your listening and reading comprehension.
  2. Discovery Channel Japan: A great source for learning about science and nature in Japanese.
  3. Kurzgesagt: Engaging science topics explained in Japanese, perfect for expanding your vocabulary in specific subject areas.

Important: For a safer viewing experience, consider using Privacy Redirect or LibRedirect to watch YouTube videos via Invidious.

Manga

  1. 少年マンガのパンツ カウンター: Offers manga recommendations and notes on specific content themes; does not provide downloads, so use torrents for accessing content.

  2. Bilingualmanga: Allows readers to switch between English and Japanese, enhancing bilingual reading skills with furigana support.

  3. Raw Senmanga: Read manga online without translations, ideal for intermediate to advanced learners.

  4. Manga-zip: A manga archive offering downloadable manga files.

  5. MANGA ZIP: Hosts a collection of manga and novels for download.

  6. Rawdevart: View raw manga online, perfect for learners seeking unfiltered content.

  7. raw-cans: Provides scans of a variety of manga, including popular manga magazines.

  8. Itazuraneko 漫画: A dedicated library for manga resources.

  9. shinmoemanga: A manga resource site with unique offerings.

  10. Manga Raw: Read raw manga online, offering a range of titles.

  11. MIKARAW: Another platform for raw manga reading, suitable for learners who want to challenge their comprehension skills.

    • Note: Requires JavaScript enabled for full functionality.

  12. マンガ図書館Z: A digital library offering free manga for reading online.

  13. となりのヤングジャンプ: An official site for reading manga online, featuring a variety of genres.

  14. DLRAW: An archive of raw manga files available in zip and rar formats.

  15. RAWKUMA: Another platform similar to Senmanga, hosting a variety of manga titles.

Books

  1. Wasabi Magazine:Fairy Tales and Short Stories with Easy Japanese
  2. 小説を読もう！: A site offering free web novels, great for immersing yourself in modern Japanese storytelling.
  3. カクヨム: Another web novel platform similar to 小説を読もう！, with a variety of genres to explore.
  4. 青空文庫: An online library of classic Japanese literature, perfect for reading high-quality, time-honored works.
  5. Aozora Bunko Archive: Download books from Aozora Bunko in multiple formats like epub, pdf, and more.
  6. Aozora Bunko Stats: A site that lists books based on the number of kanji used, allowing you to select texts suited to your learning level.
  7. Itazuraneko 小説図書館: A light novel library, although content quality may vary.
  8. Nyaa: A torrent site where you can find a variety of Japanese ebooks and other resources.
  9. Japanese Learner’s Anthology v2: A comprehensive torrent with over 30,000 Japanese ebooks, ideal for extensive reading practice.

MPV

mpv is a highly recommended video player for language learners, offering robust functionality and customization options.

  1. Official Website: Visit the official site to download and learn more about mpv.
  2. Arch Wiki Page: A detailed guide on using mpv, including setup and usage tips.
  3. User-Scripts for MPV: Enhance your mpv experience with a variety of user-created scripts.
  4. MPV for Android: The mobile version of mpv, bringing its powerful features to Android devices.

Create Anki cards directly within mpv using the following tool:

  • Mpvacious: A script that integrates with mpv for seamless Anki card creation.

Android Apps

General

  1. Mozc for Android: A robust Japanese Input Method Editor (IME) that facilitates typing in Japanese on your Android device.
  2. AnkiDroid: The Android version of Anki, offering a comprehensive flashcard application that supports spaced repetition learning.
  3. AnkiConnect for Android: A utility for creating Anki cards directly on Android devices. While AnkiDroid includes this functionality, this tool offers additional capabilities.
  4. SimplyTranslate Mobile: An open-source alternative front-end to Google Translate, offering privacy-focused translations.

Manga Readers

  1. Tachiyomi: A free and open-source manga reader for Android, featuring extensive library support and customization options.
  2. Mihon: Successor to Tachiyomi, this app is not available on F-Droid but offers a streamlined manga reading experience.
  3. tachiyomiJ2K: A popular fork of Tachiyomi with additional features, though it’s also not available on F-Droid.
  4. OCR Manga Reader: A unique Android manga reader that includes OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and dictionary capabilities, perfect for studying kanji directly from manga.

Book Readers

  1. Librera Reader: A versatile app for reading various formats of books, highly recommended by the Japanese learning community.
  2. KOReader: A lightweight book reader for Android, known for its simplicity and efficiency.

Dictionaries

  1. Dictionariez: A powerful popup-dictionary extension similar to Rikaitan, perfect for quick lookups and language learners.
  2. Jisho.org: A popular online Japanese-English dictionary.
  3. wadoku.de: A comprehensive dictionary that includes pitch accent information, invaluable for pronunciation practice.
  4. weblio.jp: A versatile Japanese dictionary, suitable for a range of learning needs.
  5. goo辞書: Another reliable dictionary option for Japanese learners.
  6. Kotobank: A dictionary platform compiling definitions from various sources, useful for in-depth understanding.
  7. ichi.moe: A specialized tool for breaking down sentences and analyzing grammar and vocabulary.
  8. 広辞苑無料検索: Provides access to a wide range of monolingual Japanese dictionaries, beneficial for advanced learners.
  9. OJAD: An online pitch accent dictionary, critical for mastering Japanese pronunciation.
  10. 日本語俗語辞書: A slang dictionary for understanding colloquial Japanese expressions.
  11. 伏字検索: A tool for deciphering censored or partially hidden words, often seen in Japanese media.
  12. ふりがな文庫: Helps identify the dominant reading of kanji in literature, providing context-based understanding of word usage.
  13. 書き順: A guide to kanji stroke order, featuring visual demonstrations for different fonts and styles.
  14. 漢字辞典: A monolingual kanji dictionary, suitable for learners seeking to deepen their understanding of individual characters.
  15. Jotoba: An open-source, multilingual Japanese dictionary that supports multiple languages.
  16. 連想類語辞典: A thesaurus dedicated to synonyms and related words in Japanese.
  17. Dictionaryphile — 日本語: A comprehensive list of online Japanese dictionaries, a useful resource for learners at any level.

Android

  1. Akebi: The app is a comprehensive offline Japanese-English dictionary with pitch accents, but the UI could be more user-friendly and customizable, especially regarding hiding English meanings and adding personal notes
  2. Mazii:English to Japanese dictionary app.
  3. jiten: A simple yet effective Japanese dictionary app for Android, offering offline access to definitions and translations.

Pronunciation and Pitch Accent

  1. Pitch Accent Dictionaries for Rikaitan: Provides pitch accent numbers for looked-up words, aiding in pronunciation practice.
  2. 韻律読み上げチュータスズキクン: A tool to generate text-to-speech sentences with pitch accent annotations, though accuracy may vary.
  3. Japanese Accent Study Website: A detailed site offering pitch accent information for counters, verb conjugations, place names, surnames, and notable figures.
  4. NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典・付録: A scanned copy of the NHK Pitch Accent dictionary, including theoretical sections not found in EPWING versions.
  5. NHK日本語発音アクセント辞典: A PDF version of the 1998 edition of the NHK Pitch Accent dictionary, a key resource for serious students of Japanese phonetics.
  6. 新明解日本語アクセント辞典 第2版・付録: A scanned version of the Shinmeikai Pitch Accent dictionary, including theoretical discussions and usage rules.
  7. 京言葉: A website dedicated to the Kyoto dialect, providing regional linguistic insights.
  8. YouGlish for Japanese: Allows you to hear native pronunciations of words in context, sourced from YouTube videos.
  9. 日本語標準アクセントの概要 + 詳細: Detailed overviews of standard Japanese pitch accent rules.
  10. 助詞・助動詞のアクセントについての覚え書き: A scholarly article on the pitch accent of Japanese particles and auxiliary verbs.
  11. 東京外国語大学言語モジュール: Resources for listening comprehension and pronunciation training, useful for intermediate to advanced learners.
  12. 日本語の発音を知る: An in-depth exploration of Japanese phonemes, utilizing IPA notation and mouth/tongue diagrams for clarity.
  13. Practice Japanese Numbers: A specialized tool for practicing the pronunciation and comprehension of Japanese numbers.
  14. Pitch Accent Perception: A word list designed for immersion, encouraging active listening and pitch pattern identification.