Want to type Japanese on your computer or phone? Setting up a Japanese keyboard is easier than you think, and once you know hiragana, you can type any Japanese word – including kanji! This comprehensive guide covers every device and operating system, with step-by-step instructions to get you typing Japanese in minutes.

Why Learn to Type in Japanese?

Typing Japanese opens up incredible opportunities:

• ✅ Chat with Japanese friends on LINE, Discord, or social media
• ✅ Search the Japanese web for authentic content
• ✅ Play Japanese games that require text input
• ✅ Practice vocabulary by typing words you're learning
• ✅ Write emails to Japanese companies or language partners
• ✅ Use Japanese apps designed for native speakers

How Japanese Typing Works: The Basics

Before setting up your keyboard, understand how Japanese input works:

The Romaji Input Method

Unlike English where you type individual letters, Japanese uses an IME (Input Method Editor). Here's the process:

1. 01Type romaji (English letters representing sounds)
2. 02See hiragana appear automatically
3. 03Press spacebar to convert to kanji (optional)
4. 04Press enter to confirm

Example:

• Type: nihongo
• See: にほんご (hiragana appears)
• Press space: 日本語 (kanji appears)
• Press enter: Confirmed!

Quick Typing Examples

You Type	Hiragana Result	Kanji Option
watashi	わたし	私
tabemasu	たべます	食べます
konnichiwa	こんにちは	-
kyou	きょう	今日
gakkou	がっこう	学校

How to Type Japanese on Windows 10/11

Step 1: Add Japanese Language

1. 01Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. 02Click Time & Language
3. 03Click Language & region (or just "Language")
4. 04Click Add a language
5. 05Search for 日本語 (Japanese)
6. 06Select it and click Next
7. 07Keep default options checked and click Install
8. 08Wait for the download to complete (may take a few minutes)

Step 2: Set Up Japanese Input

1. 01After installation, click on Japanese in your language list
2. 02Click the three dots (⋯) menu
3. 03Select Language options
4. 04Under Keyboards, ensure Microsoft IME is installed
5. 05If not, click Add a keyboard and select Microsoft IME

Step 3: Switch to Japanese Input

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

• Press Windows + Space to switch between languages
• Or press Alt + Shift to cycle through input methods

Method 2: Taskbar

• Click the language indicator in your taskbar (shows "ENG" or "あ")
• Select Japanese or 日本語

Step 4: Start Typing!

Once in Japanese mode, you'll see あ in your taskbar. Now:

1. 01Type konnichiwa
2. 02See: こんにちは appear
3. 03Press Enter to confirm
4. 04Done! 🎉

Switching Between Hiragana, Katakana, and English

While in Japanese mode:

Key	Mode	Example
Hiragana key or Alt + ~	Hiragana	あいうえお
F7 (after typing)	Convert to Katakana	アイウエオ
Caps Lock or Shift	English letters	AIUEO
F9 (after typing)	Convert to romaji	aiueo

How to Type Japanese on Mac

MacOS has excellent Japanese support built-in!

Step 1: Add Japanese Input Source

1. 01Click the Apple menu () → System Settings (or System Preferences)
2. 02Click Keyboard
3. 03Click Input Sources → Edit
4. 04Click the + button at bottom left
5. 05Search for Japanese
6. 06Select Japanese - Romaji (recommended for beginners)
7. 07Click Add

Step 2: Enable Input Menu

1. 01In Keyboard settings, ensure Show Input menu in menu bar is checked
2. 02You'll see a flag or character icon in your menu bar

Step 3: Switch Between Languages

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

• Press Control + Space to switch input sources
• Or press Fn + Control + Space for a visual selector

Method 2: Menu Bar

• Click the input menu in your menu bar
• Select Hiragana (ひらがな)

Step 4: Type Japanese

Same as Windows! Type romaji, and it converts:

• Type arigatou → ありがとう
• Press Space for kanji suggestions
• Press Enter to confirm

Useful Mac Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Control + Shift + J	Convert to Hiragana
Control + Shift + K	Convert to Katakana
Control + Shift + ;	Convert to Full-width Romaji
Control + Shift + '	Convert to Half-width Romaji

How to Type Japanese on iPhone/iPad

iOS makes Japanese typing incredibly easy!

Step 1: Add Japanese Keyboard

1. 01Open Settings
2. 02Tap General
3. 03Tap Keyboard
4. 04Tap Keyboards
5. 05Tap Add New Keyboard...
6. 06Scroll to find Japanese
7. 07Choose your preferred style:
   • Romaji - QWERTY layout, type like on computer
   • Kana - Flick/tap Japanese kana directly
8. 08Tap to add

Step 2: Switch to Japanese

When typing anywhere on your iPhone:

1. 01Tap the text input field to bring up the keyboard
2. 02Press and hold the globe icon (🌐) at bottom left
3. 03Slide to select Japanese
4. 04Or tap the globe icon repeatedly to cycle through keyboards

Step 3: Type and Convert

Romaji Keyboard:

1. 01Type romaji letters
2. 02Suggestions appear above keyboard
3. 03Tap a suggestion to convert to kanji
4. 04Or keep typing for hiragana only

Kana Keyboard (Flick Style):

1. 01Each key represents a row (あ, か, さ, etc.)
2. 02Tap for the base character
3. 03Flick in different directions for other sounds:
   • Tap あ = あ
   • Flick left = い
   • Flick up = う
   • Flick right = え
   • Flick down = お

Pro Tips for iPhone Japanese Typing

• Shake to undo works for Japanese too
• 3D Touch/Long Press on suggestions for more options
• Emoji keyboard has Japanese-style emoji easily accessible
• Dictation supports Japanese – tap the microphone!

How to Type Japanese on Android

Android devices have built-in Japanese support through Google's Gboard.

Step 1: Add Japanese in Gboard

1. 01Open Settings
2. 02Tap System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard
   • (Path may vary by manufacturer)
3. 03Tap Gboard → Languages
4. 04Tap Add keyboard
5. 05Search for Japanese
6. 06Select Japanese
7. 07Choose input style:
   • 12 keys - Flick style (like iPhone Kana)
   • QWERTY - Romaji input
   • Toggle as needed
8. 08Tap Done

Step 2: Switch to Japanese

Method 1: Globe Key

• While typing, tap the globe icon (🌐) to cycle keyboards

Method 2: Space Bar Long Press

• Long-press the spacebar
• Select Japanese from the popup

Step 3: Type Japanese

Works the same way! Type romaji, get hiragana, space for kanji.

Example:

• Type sushi → すし → 寿司

Android-Specific Tips

• Voice typing in Japanese: Long-press the comma key, speak Japanese
• Gesture typing works with some Gboard Japanese layouts
• Clipboard saves Japanese text for easy re-use
• Theme customization – make your Japanese keyboard unique!

How to Type Japanese on Chromebook

Chromebooks use the same input system as Android/Chrome.

Setup Steps

1. 01Click the time in the bottom-right corner
2. 02Click Settings (gear icon)
3. 03Scroll down and click Languages and inputs
4. 04Click Inputs and keyboards
5. 05Click Add input methods
6. 06Search for and add Japanese
7. 07Select your preferred input style

Switching Inputs

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Space to switch between languages
• Or click the input method indicator in the shelf

Special Characters and Typing Tips

How to Type Small Characters (Digraphs)

For small っ, ゃ, ゅ, ょ, and others:

Character	Type	Result
っ (small tsu)	Double the consonant	kitte → きって
ゃ (small ya)	xya or lya	ゃ
ゅ (small yu)	xyu or lyu	ゅ
ょ (small yo)	xyo or lyo	ょ

Combination Examples:

• kyou → きょう (today)
• shashin → しゃしん (photo)
• chuugoku → ちゅうごく (China)

How to Type ん (n)

The standalone ん can be tricky:

• Type nn before a vowel: konnnichiwa → こんにちは ✗ (wrong)
• Correct: konnichiwa → こんにちは ✓
• Or type n' before vowels: tan'i → たんい (unit)

How to Type Long Vowels

For words with long vowel sounds:

In Hiragana:

• おう sounds: Type ou → おう
• ええ sounds: Type ee → ええ
• Example: ryokou → りょこう → 旅行

In Katakana:

• Use the prolonged sound mark: ー
• Type - (hyphen) after switching to Katakana mode
• Example: コーヒー (koohii → ko-hi-)

How to Type Punctuation

Japanese punctuation differs from English:

Japanese	How to Type	English Equivalent
。	. (period in JP mode)	Period
、	, (comma in JP mode)	Comma
「	[	Opening quote
」	]	Closing quote
・	/	Middle dot
？	? (shift + /)	Question mark
！	!	Exclamation

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"My Japanese keyboard isn't showing hiragana"

Solution:

• Make sure you're in Hiragana mode (look for あ in taskbar)
• Try pressing Alt + ` (Windows) or Control + Shift + J (Mac)
• Restart your IME: Right-click the language bar → Restart

"I can't find kanji suggestions"

Solution:

• Type the word in hiragana completely
• Press Space to see kanji options
• Use arrow keys to navigate suggestions
• Press Enter to select

"The wrong kanji keeps appearing"

Solution:

• Space through options with multiple Space presses
• The IME learns! Keep selecting correct kanji
• Some IMEs have a "delete memory" option in settings

"My phone keyboard keeps switching back to English"

Solution:

• Check app-specific language settings
• Some apps override keyboard settings
• Long-press globe and slide to the Japanese option instead of tapping

Practice Exercises: Test Your Japanese Typing!

Now that you're set up, practice these common phrases:

Beginner Sentences

1. 01

   わたしのなまえは...です Type: watashi no namae wa ... desu

2. 02

   こんにちは！げんきですか？ Type: konnichiwa! genki desu ka?

3. 03

   ありがとうございます Type: arigatou gozaimasu

Intermediate Challenges

1. 01

   日本語を勉強しています Type: nihongo wo benkyoushite imasu (Convert: Space for kanji)

2. 02

   東京に行きたいです Type: toukyou ni ikitai desu

3. 03

   カタカナでコーヒーを入力する Type normally, then press F7 for katakana portions

Speed Test

Try typing this paragraph as fast as you can:

「きょうはとてもいいてんきですね。こうえんでともだちとあそびました。たのしかったです！」

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know hiragana before typing Japanese?

Yes! You need to know how words sound to type them. For example, to type "thank you," you need to know it's "arigatou" (ありがとう). Learn hiragana first with KanaDojo.

Is romaji input or kana input better?

Romaji input is best for beginners because you use the familiar QWERTY keyboard. Kana input is faster once mastered but has a steeper learning curve. Start with romaji, switch to kana later if you want.

Why does my Japanese text look weird in some apps?

Some older apps don't support Japanese fonts properly. Try:

• Installing Japanese language packs
• Using apps specifically designed for Japanese (like LINE)
• Checking if the font supports Japanese characters

Can I handwrite Japanese on my device?

Yes! Most devices support Japanese handwriting input:

• Windows: Add "Microsoft IME" and enable handwriting panel
• Mac: Add "Trackpad Handwriting" input source
• Mobile: Most Japanese keyboards include handwriting modes

How do I type kanji I don't know the reading for?

Several options:

• Handwrite it using handwriting input
• Radical search: Some IMEs let you search by components
• Copy-paste from a reference source
• Use Google Translate's camera to capture and convert

Conclusion: Start Typing Japanese Today!

Setting up a Japanese keyboard takes just minutes, and the ability to type Japanese opens up a whole new world of communication and practice opportunities.

Key takeaways:

• ✅ Japanese typing uses romaji to hiragana conversion (very intuitive!)
• ✅ Setup is available on all major platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
• ✅ Space bar converts hiragana to kanji
• ✅ Practice regularly to build muscle memory
• ✅ Knowing hiragana is essential – start learning now!

The best way to improve is simply to start typing! Message friends in Japanese, write diary entries, or search for Japanese content online. Every keystroke is practice.

Ready to learn the characters you'll be typing? Master hiragana with KanaDojo's interactive training – it's free and no account needed!

がんばって！Happy typing! 🎌

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Related Articles:

• Learn Hiragana: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide
• Learn Katakana: Complete Guide to Japanese Katakana
• 50 Essential Japanese Words Every Beginner Must Know
• Hiragana vs Katakana: When to Use Each