25 Free Japanese Learning Resources Online in 2026
Discover the best free Japanese learning resources online. Apps, websites, YouTube channels, podcasts, and tools to learn Japanese without spending money.
Learning Japanese doesn't have to break the bank. The internet is overflowing with incredible free resources – from apps and websites to YouTube channels and podcasts. This curated list features the best free tools to help you master Japanese, organized by skill and purpose.
Apps for Japanese Learning
1. KanaDojo (Free)
Best for: Learning hiragana, katakana, and vocabulary
What it offers:
- Interactive hiragana and katakana drills
- Vocabulary training with JLPT-organized words
- Spaced repetition for long-term retention
- Progress tracking
- 100% free with no ads on core features
Why we love it: It's specifically designed for building the foundation every Japanese learner needs – kana recognition and essential vocabulary.
2. Anki (Free)
Best for: Spaced repetition flashcards
What it offers:
- Powerful flashcard system with proven SRS algorithm
- Thousands of user-created Japanese decks
- Sync across devices (desktop free, iOS paid)
- Highly customizable
Popular decks:
- Core 2000/6000 vocabulary
- Remembering the Kanji
- JLPT vocabulary by level
Why we love it: The gold standard for memorization. Once you get past the learning curve, nothing beats Anki for retaining vocabulary.
3. Duolingo Japanese (Free with ads)
Best for: Gamified daily practice
What it offers:
- Bite-sized lessons
- Streak motivation
- Speaking exercises
- Stories feature
Limitations: Won't make you fluent on its own – best as a supplement.
4. Takoboto (Free)
Best for: Japanese-English dictionary (Android)
What it offers:
- Comprehensive dictionary
- Example sentences
- Kanji lookup by radicals
- Offline mode
5. Shirabe Jisho (Free)
Best for: Japanese dictionary (iOS)
What it offers:
- Clean, fast interface
- JLPT level tags
- Kanji stroke order
- Handwriting recognition
Websites for Learning Japanese
6. Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese
URL: guidetojapanese.org
Best for: Grammar explanations
What it offers:
- Complete grammar guide from basics to advanced
- Clear, logical explanations
- Free forever
Why we love it: The most-recommended free grammar resource. Many learners use this as their primary textbook.
7. Jisho.org
URL: jisho.org
Best for: Dictionary lookups
What it offers:
- Japanese-English dictionary
- Kanji breakdown
- Example sentences
- Radical search
- Drawing input
Why we love it: The go-to dictionary for every Japanese learner. Fast, comprehensive, and beautifully designed.
8. WaniKani (First 3 levels free)
URL: wanikani.com
Best for: Kanji learning
What it offers:
- SRS-based kanji learning
- Mnemonics for all kanji
- Structured progression
- First 3 levels completely free
Note: Full access requires subscription, but free levels teach 100+ kanji.
9. Imabi
URL: imabi.net
Best for: In-depth grammar
What it offers:
- Extremely comprehensive lessons
- Covers beginner to advanced
- More detailed than textbooks
- Completely free
Why we love it: For those who want DEEP understanding of grammar, Imabi is unmatched.
10. NHK World Easy Japanese
URL: nhk.or.jp/lesson/english/
Best for: Audio lessons
What it offers:
- 48 lesson audio course
- Natural dialogues
- Clear explanations
- Downloadable PDFs
- Multiple language support
Why we love it: Official NHK quality at zero cost. Perfect for beginners.
11. Bunpro (Limited free)
URL: bunpro.jp
Best for: Grammar SRS
What it offers:
- Grammar point flashcards
- JLPT-organized
- Example sentences
- Links to external resources
Note: Free trial available; subscription for full access.
YouTube Channels
12. JapanesePod101
Best for: Comprehensive lessons
What it offers:
- Thousands of free videos
- All levels covered
- Native speaker explanations
- Cultural insights
Free content: Hundreds of lessons available on YouTube (full library requires subscription).
13. Cure Dolly
Best for: Revolutionary grammar explanations
What it offers:
- Unique approach to understanding Japanese structure
- Makes grammar intuitive
- Complete course available
- Subtitles available (audio quality varies)
Why we love it: Changes how you think about Japanese grammar. Many learners say this finally made grammar "click."
14. Miku Real Japanese
Best for: Natural conversation
What it offers:
- Native speaker teaching
- Casual Japanese focus
- Cultural context
- Clear, simple explanations
15. Japanese Ammo with Misa
Best for: All-around learning
What it offers:
- Grammar lessons
- Vocabulary videos
- JLPT preparation
- Native perspective
16. Nihongo no Mori
Best for: JLPT preparation
What it offers:
- Lessons in Japanese (with subtitles)
- All JLPT levels
- Grammar and vocabulary
- Free past paper explanations
Podcasts
17. JapanesePod101 Podcast
Best for: Structured audio lessons
What it offers:
- Lessons for all levels
- Dialogue-based learning
- Cultural notes
- Hundreds of free episodes on podcast apps
18. Nihongo Con Teppei
Best for: Listening practice
What it offers:
- Spoken entirely in Japanese
- Beginner and intermediate versions
- Natural speech
- Daily episodes
Why we love it: Perfect for immersion listening during commutes!
19. Learn Japanese with Noriko
Best for: Intermediate listening
What it offers:
- All-Japanese content
- Interesting topics
- Natural speed
- Clear pronunciation
Reading Resources
20. Tadoku (Free Graded Readers)
URL: tadoku.org/japanese/en/free-books-en/
Best for: Beginner reading practice
What it offers:
- Free graded readers by level
- Illustrations help comprehension
- PDF downloads
- Multiple stories
Why we love it: Real reading practice at your level – completely free!
21. NHK News Web Easy
URL: www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/
Best for: Intermediate reading
What it offers:
- Real news simplified for learners
- Furigana (readings above kanji)
- Audio for each article
- Daily updates
Why we love it: Bridge the gap between textbooks and real Japanese.
22. Satori Reader (Limited free)
URL: satorireader.com
Best for: Contextual learning
What it offers:
- Interesting stories
- Grammar explanations inline
- Audio narration
- Some free content
Tools and Utilities
23. Yomichan (Free browser extension)
Best for: Reading assistance
What it offers:
- Hover over any Japanese word for definition
- Anki integration
- Multiple dictionaries
- Works on any webpage
Why we love it: Essential for reading Japanese websites and studying native content.
24. Google Japanese Input (Free)
Best for: Typing Japanese
What it offers:
- Japanese keyboard for any device
- Predictive text
- Emoji support
- Easy installation
Tip: Learning to type Japanese reinforces your reading and speeds up study.
25. DeepL / Google Translate
Best for: Translation assistance
What it offers:
- Instant translation
- Camera translation (Google)
- Document translation
- Mobile apps
Warning: Don't rely on these for learning grammar! Use for understanding, not studying.
How to Combine These Resources
Beginner (Months 1-3)
Daily routine:
- 01KanaDojo for kana and vocabulary (15 min)
- 02Tae Kim's Guide for grammar concepts (15 min)
- 03NHK Easy Japanese audio lesson (10 min)
- 04YouTube: Cure Dolly or Japanese Ammo (20 min)
Early Intermediate (Months 4-8)
Daily routine:
- 01Anki vocabulary review (15 min)
- 02Imabi for deeper grammar (20 min)
- 03NHK News Web Easy reading (15 min)
- 04Nihongo Con Teppei podcast (during commute)
Intermediate (Months 9+)
Daily routine:
- 01Anki review (15 min)
- 02Native content with Yomichan (30 min)
- 03Bunpro grammar (15 min)
- 04Speaking practice (language exchange)
Comparison: Free vs Paid Resources
| Skill Area | Best Free Option | Paid Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Kana | KanaDojo | - |
| Vocabulary | Anki + shared decks | Wanikani, Memrise |
| Grammar | Tae Kim, Cure Dolly | Genki textbooks |
| Kanji | WaniKani (3 levels) | Full WaniKani |
| Reading | NHK Easy, Tadoku | Satori Reader |
| Listening | Podcasts, YouTube | Pimsleur, JapanesePod101 Premium |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really learn Japanese for free?
Yes! Many successful learners have reached conversational fluency using only free resources. The key is consistency and combining resources for different skills.
What's the best free app for beginners?
For absolute beginners, start with KanaDojo for hiragana and katakana, then add Anki for vocabulary. These fundamentals are essential!
Are free resources as good as textbooks?
Free resources like Tae Kim's Guide and Imabi are actually preferred by many learners over textbooks. The main advantage of textbooks is structured progression.
Should I use many resources or focus on one?
Use a few complementary resources:
- One for vocabulary (Anki or KanaDojo)
- One for grammar (Tae Kim)
- One for practice (reading or listening)
Too many resources leads to scattered progress!
What about speaking practice?
Free options:
- HelloTalk (language exchange app)
- Tandem (language exchange app)
- Discord Japanese learning servers
- Self-talk practice
Conclusion: Free Resources Are Enough!
You don't need expensive courses or textbooks to learn Japanese. These 25 free resources cover every aspect of language learning:
Key takeaways: ✅ Start with KanaDojo for kana fundamentals ✅ Use Anki for long-term vocabulary retention ✅ Learn grammar with Tae Kim or Cure Dolly ✅ Practice reading with NHK Easy and Tadoku ✅ Immerse with YouTube and podcasts ✅ Install Yomichan for reading native content
Your next step: Stop researching and start learning! Begin with hiragana on KanaDojo – it's free, effective, and you can start right now.
無料で日本語を勉強しましょう！ (Muryou de nihongo wo benkyou shimashou!) Let's study Japanese for free!
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