Learning Japanese can be an incredibly rewarding journey, opening doors to a rich culture, fascinating history, and vibrant modern society. Fortunately for language learners, the abundance of resources available for studying Japanese is remarkable. Compared to many other languages, the market for Japanese learning materials is highly competitive, leading to exceptional quality textbooks and study aids. This wealth of options means you can find the perfect resources to match your learning style and goals.
Having explored the landscape of Japanese language education for over a decade, and personally amassed a considerable collection of Japanese language books, I understand the quest for the “perfect” textbook. While no single book can be universally flawless, some Japanese Learning Books stand out for their thoughtful design, effective pedagogy, and significant contribution to learners’ progress. These are the resources that offer the best return on your investment of time and effort.
This guide dives into 12 of the best Japanese textbooks and resources available for self-study, carefully selected to help you navigate your Japanese learning journey.
The 12 Best Books to Learn Japanese
1. GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
For many who have taken formal Japanese classes at university or college, the Genki series will be instantly recognizable. Published by The Japan Times and now in its 3rd edition (2020), Genki has sold over 2 million copies globally and remains a cornerstone of introductory Japanese education. Whether you have a love-hate relationship with it from past experiences, or are completely new to it, Genki is arguably still the most effective textbook for beginners embarking on their Japanese studies independently.
Genki doesn’t offer shortcuts; it requires dedication and consistent effort to absorb the material. However, diligently working through this textbook will equip you with a robust foundation in essential vocabulary, grammatical structures, hiragana, katakana, and foundational kanji. This comprehensive approach sets you up for continued progress in your Japanese language acquisition.
The Genki textbooks are structured into two complementary sections within each lesson:
- Conversation / Grammar: This section focuses on practical communication skills, introducing vocabulary, sentence patterns, and culturally relevant expressions through engaging dialogues.
- Reading / Writing: This part is dedicated to developing literacy skills, systematically teaching kanji and enhancing reading comprehension through lessons that directly correlate with the conversational themes learned in the first section.
While the Genki series isn’t without minor quirks (for instance, it introduces “Sayonara” as “goodbye,” which is less common in everyday Japanese conversation compared to alternatives like “Ja ne” or “Mata ne”), its overall structure, comprehensiveness, and proven track record solidify its position as the top choice for starting your Japanese language journey on your own.
Pros:
- Includes accompanying audio CDs (or downloadable audio) for essential pronunciation practice.
- Offers abundant exercises at the end of each chapter to reinforce learning and solidify understanding.
- Completing the Genki I and II textbooks will provide you with a substantial vocabulary base, approximately 50 new words per chapter, accelerating your language acquisition.
Cons:
- Employs an unconventional romanization system (e.g., “kiree” instead of the standard “kirei”), which can be confusing for some learners initially.
- Does not include kanji stroke order diagrams within the main textbook, requiring supplementary resources for proper kanji writing practice.
- The presentation of certain topics can sometimes lack logical flow (e.g., introducing only five color words initially and omitting others).
Notes: Genki is best used in conjunction with its accompanying workbook for maximum practice and reinforcement.
2. A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Affectionately known as the “Yellow Book” or even “The Bible” among expatriates in Japan and serious Japanese learners, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar is an unparalleled resource. Many consider it the single best Japanese learning tool available. Its clarity, thoroughness, and wealth of illustrative example sentences are unmatched. For those progressing to more advanced levels, the authors also offer the “Blue” Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar and “Red” Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar, maintaining the same exceptional quality and depth.
Pros:
- Extremely comprehensive and thorough in its coverage of Japanese grammar points.
- Grammar explanations are exceptionally clear, concise, and supported by numerous helpful and relevant examples.
- Skillfully clarifies the nuances and distinctions between similar and often-confused grammar points, preventing common errors.
Cons:
- As the title suggests, this is not a textbook designed for linear learning. It functions as a grammar reference, best used to look up specific grammar points as needed. It’s not intended for sequential study from cover to cover.
3. Remembering the Kana: A Guide to Reading and Writing the Japanese Syllabaries in 3 Hours Each
Remembering the Kana by James Heisig applies a mnemonic-based approach to mastering hiragana and katakana, the foundational Japanese syllabaries. This method leverages memorable imagery and stories to associate with each character, making the initial hurdle of learning to read and write Japanese significantly less daunting. Many learners, myself included, have found this book exceptionally helpful at the very beginning of their studies.
Pros:
- Employs unique and effective mnemonics that greatly aid in memorizing each hiragana and katakana character.
- Promises (and often delivers) the ability to learn to recognize and write both syllabaries in approximately 3 hours each, a remarkably efficient start.
Notes:
- If you are already comfortable with hiragana and katakana, this book can be skipped. Consider moving directly to Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji for kanji learning.
- Learners who naturally grasp kana relatively easily might find the mnemonic approach in this book to be unnecessarily complex or “overcomplicated” for their needs.
4. Kodansha’s Furigana Japanese Dictionary
Kodansha’s Furigana Japanese Dictionary stands out as arguably the best printed Japanese-English dictionary available. Kodansha’s meticulous attention to layout and user-friendliness is evident throughout. This dictionary, which includes furigana (phonetic readings) for all kanji, is an indispensable tool for any serious student of Japanese, from absolute beginners to advanced learners preparing for the JLPT N1 exam.
Pros:
- Features an excellent, detailed section explaining Japanese verb conjugation, covering both regular and irregular verbs – a frequent point of confusion for learners.
- Provides example sentences to illustrate how words are commonly used in context, enhancing practical vocabulary acquisition.
Cons:
- Some intermediate and advanced learners may find the dictionary’s scope slightly limited as their vocabulary expands significantly.
- Lacks information on Japanese word intonation, which can be important for nuanced pronunciation.
Notes:
- Organized alphabetically by kana (Japanese syllabary), not by romaji (romanized Japanese alphabet). Be aware of this organization if you are primarily used to romaji.
- Exclusively uses furigana for pronunciation guidance; romaji is not included. This encourages learners to become comfortable with reading kana quickly.
5. Remembering the Kanji, Volume 1: A Complete Course on How Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters
James Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji, Volume 1 is an invaluable resource for tackling kanji memorization, widely considered essential reading for dedicated Japanese learners. This book offers a unique methodology focused on memorizing kanji meanings and writing rather than readings initially.
My personal experience with Remembering the Kanji was transformative. Struggling significantly with kanji memorization before discovering this method, I found it immensely helpful. Although the specific mnemonic “stories” I initially created for each kanji have faded over time, the meanings of the vast majority of kanji learned through this book remain firmly embedded in my memory.
Pros:
- Systematically breaks down kanji into their fundamental components (radicals), making complex characters more manageable.
- Teaches a mnemonic system that enables learners to effectively memorize the meanings of hundreds of kanji relatively quickly.
Cons:
- Some of the “keywords” chosen to represent kanji meanings can be somewhat ambiguous or use less common English vocabulary, potentially requiring extra effort to internalize.
- Focuses primarily on kanji meanings and writing. It does not teach kanji readings (pronunciations) or vocabulary words, so further study is needed to learn to read Japanese and understand kanji in context within compound words.
Notes:
- Some users have reported issues with viewing kanji stroke order in the Kindle version. Consider this when choosing your format.
- Remembering the Kanji is most effectively used in conjunction with flashcard software like Anki. Creating or using pre-made Anki decks based on RTK greatly enhances long-term retention and review. I personally used Anki with RTK and highly recommend this combination.
6. Kanji in Context
Kanji in Context serves as an excellent follow-up to Remembering the Kanji. While RTK excels at teaching kanji meanings and writing in isolation, Kanji in Context helps you solidify your knowledge and build practical vocabulary by presenting kanji within the context of actual Japanese sentences and readings. It bridges the gap between knowing kanji meanings and using them effectively in real-world reading.
Pros:
- Organized into over 150 lessons that systematically introduce kanji and associated vocabulary as they appear in authentic Japanese writings.
Cons:
- May be more difficult and expensive to acquire outside of Japan due to its specific focus on Japanese educational contexts.
Notes:
- Not designed for absolute beginners. Kanji in Context is best suited for intermediate to advanced learners who have already built a foundational knowledge of kanji meanings, ideally through a method like Remembering the Kanji.
7. The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary
The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary is, in my experience, the most user-friendly and effective kanji reference dictionary available. The latest edition encompasses the 3000 most frequently used kanji, all within a relatively compact and portable format. It’s an invaluable resource for looking up kanji quickly and efficiently.
Pros:
- Features a visually appealing and intuitively laid-out design, making kanji lookup straightforward.
- Employs the innovative “SKIP” (System of Kanji Indexing by Patterns) method for kanji lookup, often considered ingenious for its speed and efficiency once learned.
- Provides up-to-date and reliable definitions and example sentences, ensuring accuracy and practical usage guidance.
Notes:
- Some users initially find the SKIP lookup method somewhat unintuitive, requiring a short learning curve. However, most users find it becomes very natural and efficient with a little practice.
8. JLPT Study Guide: The Comprehensive Guide to the JLPT Level N5 Exam
Released in 2019 by Clayton MacKnight of JLPT Bootcamp and published by Tuttle, JLPT Study Guide: The Comprehensive Guide to the JLPT Level N5 Exam is specifically designed for learners preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 level.
If you’re just beginning to learn Japanese and aim to take the N5 exam (or even if you need a solid review of beginner Japanese concepts), this book is highly recommended. Its layout is easy to follow, it incorporates helpful illustrations, and it covers each topic at a manageable pace suitable for beginners.
A key element of effective JLPT preparation is practicing with actual exam-style questions, and this book provides ample opportunities for that. The practice sections include all question types found on the real N5 test—kanji, vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening—allowing you to pinpoint your strengths and areas needing further study.
Pros:
- Includes over 300 JLPT N5 practice questions, giving you extensive preparation for the exam format.
- Provides 3 printable N5 practice tests for simulating exam conditions and assessing your overall readiness.
- Offers accompanying audio for listening comprehension practice, essential for the listening section of the JLPT.
- Includes printable flashcards for kana and N5 kanji, aiding in efficient vocabulary and character memorization.
- Features engaging illustrations and dialogues to make learning more enjoyable and contextually relevant.
Notes:
- Ideal for students aiming to progress from zero Japanese knowledge to the N5 level in a relatively short timeframe, providing a structured and efficient study path.
9. How to Sound Intelligent in Japanese: A Vocabulary Builder
How to Sound Intelligent in Japanese: A Vocabulary Builder targets learners who already possess a solid foundation in Japanese and wish to elevate their vocabulary to sound more sophisticated and articulate. If your goal is to impress native Japanese speakers with your linguistic abilities, this book is a valuable resource for acquiring more refined and nuanced vocabulary.
Pros:
- Well-structured with clear categorization of vocabulary themes, making it easy to navigate and study specific areas.
- Offers a fun and engaging approach to vocabulary expansion, particularly for advanced learners looking to refine their expressive capabilities.
Cons:
- The vocabulary presented often leans towards specialized or less frequently used words, which might be challenging to integrate into everyday conversation immediately.
Notes:
- Best suited for learners at the JLPT N3 level or higher. Beginner or lower intermediate learners may find the vocabulary too advanced and less immediately practical.
10. Read Real Japanese
Read Real Japanese is an excellent resource designed to help learners bridge the often-difficult gap between textbook Japanese and authentic, real-world Japanese. While online access to “real” Japanese content is readily available today, this book provides curated, explained examples, particularly beneficial for understanding less obvious expressions and writing styles encountered in native materials. It features eight diverse and engaging essays by prominent contemporary Japanese authors, including Haruki Murakami, Seiko Ito, and Banana Yoshimoto.
I personally enjoyed studying with this book, although I found the inexplicable use of romaji in the vocabulary explanations puzzling for a book aimed at advanced learners. Despite this design choice, the content is valuable, and you can often find used copies at reasonable prices.
Pros:
- Effectively facilitates the transition from textbook learning to reading “real” Japanese literature and essays.
- Features a compelling selection of works from renowned contemporary Japanese writers, offering exposure to diverse styles and perspectives.
Cons:
- The inclusion of romaji in vocabulary explanations within a book for advanced students is a questionable and unfortunate design decision, potentially hindering kanji reading practice.
- Lacks sentence-by-sentence translations, which might be helpful for some learners tackling complex texts.
11. Read Real Japanese Essays: Contemporary Writings by Popular Authors
Read Real Japanese Essays: Contemporary Writings by Popular Authors is a significantly improved follow-up to the original Read Real Japanese. Crucially, it includes an audio CD and eliminates the perplexing romaji from vocabulary explanations. The essays can be challenging in places, and new kanji readings are provided only once, making it best suited for intermediate learners and above.
Pros:
- Offers helpful notes explaining cultural context and nuanced language usage, enhancing comprehension beyond literal translation.
- Comes with a narrated audio CD, improving listening comprehension and providing authentic pronunciation models.
- Features interesting contemporary essays from popular authors, including Murakami Haruki, Yoshimoto Banana, and Hirano Keiichiro, exposing learners to a range of modern Japanese writing.
Notes:
- Intended for intermediate students. If you have completed the Genki series or a similar foundational course, this book is a good next step for engaging with authentic Japanese text.
12. Read Real Japanese Fiction
Read Real Japanese Fiction follows the same format as the previous two books in the “Read Real Japanese” series, but focuses specifically on fiction. While I haven’t personally used this particular volume, it has consistently positive reviews, suggesting it maintains the same high quality as the other books in the series.
Pros:
- Presents an excellent selection of short stories from well-regarded and established authors: Kawakami Hiromi, Otsuichi, Ishii Shinji, Yoshimoto Banana, Kitamura Kaoru, and Tawada Yoko, offering a diverse range of contemporary Japanese fiction.
- Includes helpful notes at the back of the book to aid comprehension and provide cultural context.
- Comes with a narrated audio CD, enhancing the learning experience and providing listening practice.
Cons:
- Does not include complete sentence-by-sentence translations, which may be preferred by some learners.
- Provides furigana (phonetic readings) next to every new kanji, which might be seen as a positive or negative depending on your learning stage and kanji reading ability.
- The stories are not organized by level of difficulty, meaning the first story might be more challenging than subsequent ones, requiring some flexibility in approach.
Honorable Mentions That Didn’t Quite Make the List
Nihongo Through Newspaper Articles
Nihongo Through Newspaper Articles, published by the Japan Times, is a solid resource for expanding Japanese vocabulary and improving reading comprehension. Each lesson centers around a Japanese newspaper article, accompanied by vocabulary lists and exercises. The inclusion of two audio CDs further enhances listening comprehension and vocabulary reinforcement. Consistent study with this book—perhaps one lesson per day—can significantly improve your ability to read and understand Japanese news and current events.
Pros:
- Includes 2 audio CDs for listening practice and vocabulary reinforcement.
- Excellent for building vocabulary specifically relevant to reading Japanese newspapers and current affairs.
Cons:
- Can be challenging to find and potentially expensive outside of Japan. While available for purchase, it may be more cost-effective to search for secondhand copies.
Notes:
- Best suited for intermediate to advanced learners who are aiming to read authentic Japanese news sources.
Pimsleur Japanese
[
Pimsleur Japanese is primarily an audio-based course, rather than a traditional book, but it deserves mention as a highly effective resource for starting to learn spoken Japanese. While the later levels of the series can feel somewhat repetitive or “corporate,” the Pimsleur method is remarkably effective for memorization and developing practical conversational skills. It emphasizes active recall and spaced repetition, leading to strong retention of learned material. You can sample Pimsleur Japanese for free through an Audible 30-day trial, and download a taster course here to experience the method firsthand.
Notes:
- Despite some criticisms, Pimsleur is particularly beneficial for absolute beginners wanting to quickly develop basic speaking skills and build confidence in spoken Japanese. It’s worth trying out if you are just starting your Japanese language journey and prioritize speaking.
Making Out in Japanese
Making Out in Japanese is a less conventional and more lighthearted resource. While not intended for serious academic study, it can be quite entertaining and even surprisingly useful in specific (and perhaps humorous) situations.
Pros:
- Fun and entertaining to read, offering a break from more traditional study materials.
- Potentially useful for learning colloquial phrases and expressions related to dating and social interactions in Japan, if approached with a sense of humor.
Cons:
- Some of the phrases taught might be considered outdated or “lame” for real-life use, depending on current slang and social context.
Notes:
- Contains language and themes that may not be suitable for younger learners or those seeking purely formal Japanese language education.
Kanji Study Cards
Kanji Study Cards are not technically a book, but rather a set of flashcards specifically designed to complement James Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji method. This set includes all 2048 kanji covered in RTK, along with their keywords and stroke order information. Having all the kanji readily available in card format saves significant time and effort compared to creating your own flashcards. For learners committed to the RTK method, these cards are a convenient and efficient supplementary tool.
Pros:
- Highly beneficial if you are using Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji method for kanji learning, providing a ready-made flashcard system.
Cons:
- Can be expensive and sometimes difficult to find for retail purchase. Availability and pricing may fluctuate.
- Only useful in conjunction with the Remembering the Kanji book. They are not a standalone resource for kanji learning.
- The cards are not laminated, allowing you to write notes directly on them. However, this also means they can become worn or damaged (“boro-boro“) with frequent use over time.
So there you have it – a comprehensive overview of what I consider to be the best books for learning Japanese. Of course, many other excellent resources exist (and I’ve likely spent far too much on Japanese learning materials over the years!), but this list represents a curated selection of top-tier textbooks and study aids to guide you on your Japanese learning path. Happy studying!
By Michael
Michael has spent a significant portion of the last decade living in Japan. He is passionate about Japanese language learning and is currently focused on progressing from JLPT N2 to N1 level proficiency.
