I've been studying Japanese for a few years and have made a few study aids to help me along. I've got tons of them, but it may take me a while to get them all online. I hope you find them helpful. Feel free to contact me and tell me what you think.

If you want to get an idea of the sites that I use on a regular basis, please see my Japanese and dictionaries tags on del.icio.us.

If the Japanese characters don't display properly, change the encoding in your browser to shift-jis.

Study Materials

Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji

The key to learning Japanese is a quick mastery of hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

• Hiragana List (full) (pdf)
• Hiragana Writing Practice (pdf)
• Hiragana Flash Cards (pdf)
• Katakana List (full) (pdf)
• Katakana Writing Practice (pdf)
• Katakana Flash Cards (pdf)
• Kanji List (4-kyuu) (pdf)
• Kanji Flashcards (4-kyuu) (pdf)
• Kanji Test (4-kyuu) (pdf)
• Kana/Kanji Writing Practice Sheet (pdf)

See also:

• How to Study Kanji: Use the Kanji Proficiency Test materials (written Aug 2001)
• Wakan: Tool for learning kanji
• Kanji Gold: Kanji flashcards
• Hiragana Randomizer: Hints about hiragana

Vocabulary

• Vocabulary lists: For all levels of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
• Kantango: Making online word lists, flashcards, etc.

Reading Comprehension

These sites provide texts for reading practice.

• Aozora
• Japanese Text Initiative (University of Virginia)

Audio Visual

There is a TV show called Nihongo Saijiki Daikirin （日本語歳時記・大希林）with Kirin Kiki and Satsuki Miki on NHK Educational TV on Saturdays from 12:20 to 12:30. It is a short and informative show that explains little points about Japanese. The way they explain it makes it easier to understand than if you were reading a textbook. However, as far as I know, there are no videos of this show available, so you have to catch it on TV whenever you can.

Japanese Language Proficiency Test

Beginner Level (4級)

These materials are for the 4th level of the Japanese Proficiency Test.

• Full List of Requirements (pdf)
• List of Grammar Points
• Adjectives (pdf)
• Expressions
• Content Words (pdf)
• Counters (pdf)
• Function Words (pdf)
• Numbers (pdf)
• Relative Time (pdf)
• Verbs (pdf)
• Quizzes (Beginner) (pdf)
• More Quizzes (Advanced) (pdf)

Reference Materials

Online Translation

• AltaVista Babelfish
• Excite
• Google Language Tools
• WorldLingo

Comprehensive Websites

• The Japanese Page: Offers resources, downloads, advice, etc.
• Meguro Language Center: Huge collection of free study materials.
• Musuu: Huge collection of Japanese study resources.
• Yookoso: Excellent site that covers many aspects of learning Japanese.

Other Reference Materials

• Dictionaries
• Japanese and English Numbers
• Japanese and Western Years
• Japanese to English Translation Tips
• Place Names in Kanji

Classes

I have not taken these classes, nor am I affiliated with them in any way.

In Japan

• Meguro Language Center

Elsewhere

• Learn Japanese Live Online

Advice

Study Tips

• Study Tips for JET Participants: Suggestions for learning Japanese (June 2001)

Cultural Insight

• Articles for Aizu Wakamatsu Newspaper (January 1996)
• Articles for Tajima Newsletter (August 1995 to July 1996)
• How to Succeed in Japan (October 2006)
• Hyakunin Isshu
• Hyakunin Isshu: Teaching Foreign Students about Japanese Culture: Using ancient poetry to teach the Japanese language. (June 2003)
• The Internationalization of Japan: Going Beyond Ikebana and Tea Ceremony (October 2006)
• Leaving Home (February 1999)

Visiting and Living in Japan

Fukushima

• Aizu Glossary
• Interactive Tour of Iimoriyama (Aizu Wakamatsu)
• Interactive Tour of Tsurugajo (Aizu Wakamatsu)
• Regional Restaurant and Izakaya Report (Tajima) (June 1999)
• Stepping out in Fukushima-ken (January 1998)
• Story of the Byakkotai (Aizu Wakamatsu)

Ibaraki

• Alien Times (Tsukuba)
• Tsukuba Wiki

Category: Japanese