Below are educational resources for learners of Japanese. The first section features websites developed by the Japan Foundation. The second section is a list of websites developed by other organizations.
"HIROGARU" is a site for learning different things about Japan and the Japanese language through your own interests. Engage with various aspects about Japan through reading or listening to information on 12 fascinating topics. Features audioclips, videos, vocabulary lists and quizzes.
Learn Japanese anytime, anywhere with the JF Japanese e-Learning platform "Minato." The online courses offered are the Marugoto course (an integrated class about Japanese language and culture), the Hiragana/Katakana course (focusing on the written characters), and the Anime/Manga Japanese Language Course (fun for visual learners). While they are mainly ‘self-study courses’ that allow student to learn at their own pace, there are also ‘tutor-supported courses’ that provide assignment assistance, evaluations, and live lessons with teachers.
MARUGOTO (MARUGOTO Plus) is a website where users can learn about Japanese language and culture alongside the contents of Marugoto: Japanese Language and Culture, a textbook which uses the JF Standard as a basis. It's free and available to everyone, and features videos which prompt you to answer questions, among many other features.
Begining Japanese-language course "Erin’s Challenge! I Can Speak Japanese," starring Ellie Toyota and Kana Kurashina (aired on NHK World and available on DVD) is now on the Web!
Japanese-English / English-Japanese dictionary with useful expressions in nursing and caretaking scenes for supporting your Japanese Language learning.
Japanese anime and manga are really popular with young people all over the world today. This is an e-learning website for those who want to learn Japanese from anime and manga. Users can study expression distinctive of characters with audio playback or words used in specific genre, such as LOVE, through quizzes. It’s a fun way to learn Japanese!
NIHONGO eな Portal for Learning Japanese is a site dedicated to introducing all kinds of websites and online tools useful for studying Japanese!
A free smartphone app for beginner learners. Learn Hiragana, Katakana, or Kanji the fun way with mnemonic devices! Available for iOS and Android on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.
Click here for information on Hiragana and Katakana.
Click here for information on the Kanji Memory Hint 1 app.
Click here for information on the Kanji Memory Hint 2 app.
Click here for information on the Kanji Memory Hint 3 app.
Through its publications, the Japan Foundation provides information on not only its own programs, but also international exchange activities.
(The following resources do not necessarily reflect the views and recommendations of the Japan Foundation. Suggestions for additional websites can be sent to jflaeducation@jflalc.org)
NHK World: やさしい日本語 Easy Japanese
Japanese lessons from NHK World - Japan. 48 lessons, 10 minutes each.
NHK Radio News
News from NHK Radio.
JapaNews24
Live news from Japan via ANN for those living overseas.
JapanesePod101.com Youtube channel
This Youtube channel features quick, professional listening comprehension videos for learners.
Yomiuri Online Kodomo
Simplified daily news for intermediate readers.
Intermediate Reader in Technical and Scientific Japanese
Free textbook designed to teach complex grammar and scientific knowledge at the same time. Increases in difficulty.
News Web Easy
NHK news articles written in easy Japanese, for second-language learners.
Kanjigames.com
Introduces several kanji learning apps, with guidelines.
Yookoso! Online Learning Center
Free activities, quizzes, and listening samples from Yookoso. Click “Online Learning Center” at the left of the page once you enter.
Web Japan
Source for Japanese culture (English).
Nippon.com
Source for Japanese culture and news (English, Japanese).
At Home in Japan
A tutorial about studying abroad in Japan.