# Japanese listening resources > Choose Japanese listening practice by how much English support, lesson structure, and ear-training you want. Canonical: https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/listening Last updated: 2026-10-26 Listening tools range from hosted lessons to narrow pitch drills. Match the tool to the ear problem. Published: 2026-08-13 3 min read ## Resources - [FluentU](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/fluentu) - Curated Japanese videos with interactive captions, word lookup and vocabulary review. beginner · intermediate · paid · easy · Video learning · Vocabulary · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/fluentu) - [Memrise](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/memrise) - Japanese vocabulary and phrase practice with speaker videos and conversation activities. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Vocabulary · Video learning · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/memrise) - [Glossika Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/glossika) - Audio-led Japanese sentence repetition with native-speaker recordings and review. beginner · intermediate · paid · easy · Audio lessons · Sentence practice · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/glossika) - [Lingopie Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/lingopie) - Japanese TV and video learning with subtitle lookup and saved-word review. beginner · intermediate · paid · easy · Video learning · Reading support · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/lingopie) - [Erin's Challenge](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/erins-challenge) - Japan Foundation video lessons with skits, culture material and downloadable study resources. beginner · intermediate · free · easy · Video lessons · Official learning materials · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/erins-challenge) - [Tsunahiro](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/tsunahiro) - Official Japanese learning videos centered on practical situations in daily life in Japan. beginner · intermediate · free · easy · Video lessons · Daily-life Japanese · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/tsunahiro) - [Activate Your Japanese!](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/activate-your-japanese) - Japan Foundation and NHK video material about communication strategies and everyday life. beginner · intermediate · free · easy · Video lessons · Official learning materials · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/activate-your-japanese) - [Onomappu](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/onomappu) - Japanese listening videos using daily-life topics, visual context and onomatopoeia. intermediate · free · moderate · YouTube · Listening practice · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/onomappu) - [Learn Japanese with Tanaka san](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/tanaka-san) - Short visual Japanese lessons presented through the Tanaka san sushi character. beginner · intermediate · free · easy · YouTube · Visual lessons · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/tanaka-san) - [NihongoDekita with Sayaka](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nihongodekita) - Sayaka's practical Japanese videos, with a separate live-course offering from NihongoDekita. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · YouTube · Conversation lessons · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/nihongodekita) - [YUYU Nihongo Podcast](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/yuyu-nihongo-podcast) - Longer Japanese listening episodes about everyday life, ideas and personal experiences. intermediate · advanced · free · moderate · Podcast · YouTube · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/yuyu-nihongo-podcast) - [Sayuri Saying](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/sayuri-saying) - Everyday Japanese podcasts and videos with conversations, daily-life topics and supporting text. intermediate · freemium · moderate · Podcast · YouTube · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/sayuri-saying) - [Bite Size Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/bite-size-japanese) - Layla's Japanese listening podcast about daily life, culture and language-learning topics. intermediate · free · moderate · Podcast · YouTube · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/bite-size-japanese) - [Easy Japanese Podcast](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/easy-japanese-podcast) - Masa and Asami's everyday Japanese conversations and focused vocabulary discussions. intermediate · free · moderate · Podcast · YouTube · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/easy-japanese-podcast) - [JapanesePod101](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/japanesepod101) - A large catalog of leveled Japanese podcast lessons and transcripts. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · Web, iPhone, Android · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/japanesepod101) - [Nihongo con Teppei](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nihongo-con-teppei) - A free beginner Japanese podcast for daily listening. beginner · free · easy · Listening · Podcast, Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/teppei) - [Comprehensible Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/comprehensible-japanese) - Leveled all-Japanese input videos. The site is now branded Natural Japanese. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · Web, YouTube · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/nijapanese) - [Miku Real Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/miku-real-japanese) - YouTube and podcast lessons, plus a paid grammar and shadowing audio course. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Grammar · YouTube, Web, Podcast · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/mikurealjapanese) - [Nihongo no Mori](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nihongo-no-mori) - JLPT-focused video classes taught in Japanese, with a paid site and app. beginner · intermediate · freemium · moderate · Course · YouTube, Web, iPhone, Android · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/nihongonomori) - [Let's Learn Japanese from Small Talk](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/lets-learn-japanese-from-small-talk) - Unscripted Japanese conversation podcast with vocab lists on a Hatena blog. intermediate · free · easy · Listening · Podcast, Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/smalltalk) - [News in Slow Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/news-in-slow-japanese) - Slow news and culture lessons with transcripts and popup glosses. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/newsinslowjapanese) - [That Japanese Man Yuta](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/that-japanese-man-yuta) - Street-interview YouTube on Japanese culture and language, with paid courses sold separately. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · YouTube, Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/yuta) - [Ask Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/ask-japanese) - Street interviews in Japan about culture, anime, and daily life. beginner · intermediate · free · easy · Listening · YouTube · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/askjapanese) - [Akane Japanese Class](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/akane-japanese-class) - All-Japanese teacher videos and a podcast on daily life, with transcripts on the site. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · YouTube, Web, Podcast · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/akane) - [SAKURA TIPS](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/sakura-tips) - Beginner listening podcast with Japanese transcripts on the site. beginner · freemium · easy · Listening · Podcast, Web, YouTube · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/sakuratips) - [Bilingual News](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/bilingual-news) - Weekly unscripted English-Japanese news podcast. Audio free; transcripts in a paid app. intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · Podcast, Web, iPhone, Android · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/bilingualnews) - [Learn Japanese Pod](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/learn-japanese-pod) - Conversational Japanese podcast with Alex and Ami, plus Patreon extras. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · Podcast, Web, YouTube · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/learnjapanesepod) - [Japanese with Shun](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/japanese-with-shun) - Beginner Japanese podcast and YouTube that follows Genki grammar. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · Podcast, YouTube · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/shun) - [Game Gengo](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/game-gengo) - YouTube and scripts for learning Japanese from video games. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Listening · YouTube, Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/gamegengo) - [NHK World Easy Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nhk-world-easy-japanese) - Free official beginner Japanese lessons with audio from NHK World. beginner · free · easy · Listening · Course · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/nhklesson) - [kotu.io](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/kotu) - Pitch-accent tests plus search, flashcards, and media tools for Japanese study. intermediate · free · moderate · Listening · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/kotu) - [NHK News Web Easy](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nhk-news-web-easy) - Free graded Japanese news with furigana and audio. beginner · intermediate · free · easy · Reading · Listening · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/nhkeasy) - [Irodori](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/irodori) - Free Japan Foundation textbooks for daily-life Japanese, with audio. beginner · free · easy · Textbook · Listening · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/irodori) - [Pimsleur](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/pimsleur) - Audio-first Japanese lessons designed for spoken recall on the go. beginner · paid · easy · Listening · Course · App, Audio · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/pimsleur) - [Language Reactor](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/language-reactor) - Dual Japanese subtitles and lookup for YouTube and Netflix in the browser. intermediate · freemium · moderate · Listening · Browser · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/languagereactor) - [Shinobi Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/shinobi-japanese) - Graded Japanese stories with audio, word lookup, and review. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Reading · Listening · iPhone, Android · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/shinobi-japanese) - [Gravity](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/gravity) - Japanese media, synced transcripts, and review tied to the original scene. beginner · intermediate · paid · easy · Listening · Flashcards & SRS · iPhone, iPad, Android · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/gravity) - [Kiku](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/kiku) - Short Japanese clips with word lookup, explanations, and saved-word review. beginner · intermediate · paid · easy · Listening · Flashcards & SRS · iPhone, iPad · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/kiku) - [Mugi](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/mugi) - Native Japanese videos with transcript lookup and spaced review. beginner · intermediate · paid · easy · Listening · Flashcards & SRS · iPhone, Android · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/mugi) - [Dogen](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/dogen) - Comedy-and-phonetics YouTube. Pitch-accent lessons live on Patreon. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Speaking · YouTube, Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/dogen) - [Hirogaru](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/hirogaru) - Free A1-A2 Japan Foundation site with interest-topic articles, videos, and kanji practice. beginner · free · easy · Reading · Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/hirogaru) - [Japanese from Zero](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/japanese-from-zero) - Beginner textbooks plus a matching interactive web course and lesson videos. beginner · freemium · moderate · Textbook · Print, Web, YouTube · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/fromzero) - [Kaname Naito](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/kaname-naito) - Spoken Japanese grammar on YouTube, plus free dialogues and paid beginner courses. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Grammar · YouTube, Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/kaname) - [Satori Reader](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/satori-reader) - Annotated Japanese articles and dialogues with audio and inline notes. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Reading · Web, iPhone · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/satori) - [Speak Japanese Naturally](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/speak-japanese-naturally) - Pronunciation, rhythm, and pitch videos from Fumi, plus a paid phonetics course. beginner · freemium · easy · Speaking · YouTube, Web · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/speakjapanesenaturally) - [Speechling](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/speechling) - Record Japanese, compare with a native speaker, and send audio to a pronunciation coach. beginner · intermediate · freemium · easy · Speaking · Web, iPhone, Android · [Visit](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/speechling) Listening practice fails when the audio is either too hosted or too hard. Listen-only sources fit commuters. Text-plus-audio fits learners who need support. Official numbered lessons fit learners who need a path. Choose one tool from this page. ## If you want a lesson around the audio [JapanesePod101](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/japanesepod101), [Nihongo con Teppei](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nihongo-con-teppei), and [NHK World Easy Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nhk-world-easy-japanese) give you spoken Japanese with a frame. Pod101 is a large catalog. Teppei is a free beginner podcast, so it fits listen-only commute time. [Japanese with Shun](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/japanese-with-shun) is extra Genki-shaped audio. [Game Gengo](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/game-gengo) is for people who already play Japanese games. NHK World is official numbered lessons. Irodori is a free course with official audio. Use NHK World or Irodori when you need a path. If the paid audio-course slot is Pimsleur versus JapanesePod101, use [Pimsleur vs JapanesePod101](https://studyjapanese101.com/compare/pimsleur-vs-japanesepod101). ## If you want news you can follow [NHK News Web Easy](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nhk-news-web-easy) includes audio on simplified articles. Use it when you need text plus audio. ## If the problem is pitch, not vocabulary [kotu.io](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/kotu) trains accent contrasts. It is not a beginner podcast. For lookup, ear training, and coaching as separate jobs, use the [pronunciation and pitch-accent shortlist](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-pronunciation-and-pitch-accent-resources). ## One week with one transcript-supported source Choose one short item from a source that gives you a transcript. First listen without text. Read the transcript and note at most 5 blockers. Relisten with text. Relisten without text. Repeat the same item later in the week. Pick one daily audio source. Add pitch drills only after you can follow slow speech. Official JLPT listening audio lives with the [official sample questions](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/jlpt-official-practice). Use it to learn the test item types, not as a daily podcast. The exam-practice map is the [JLPT study resources shortlist](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-jlpt-study-resources). ## Video lessons and longer listening Use the [Japanese YouTube shortlist](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-youtube-channels) to choose between visual beginner lessons, grammar taught in Japanese and longer conversations. [Tanaka san](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/tanaka-san) and [NihongoDekita](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/nihongodekita) make different starting points from a podcast such as [YUYU](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/yuyu-nihongo-podcast). [Sayuri Saying](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/sayuri-saying) connects episodes with companion written material. For a scripted story and communication strategies, use the Japan Foundation's [Activate Your Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/activate-your-japanese). For everyday situations in Japan, try [Tsunahiro](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/tsunahiro). Choose one source at a level you can revisit, rather than a queue of unfamiliar videos. ## More resource profiles See the individual profiles for who each resource fits and its limits. - [Bite Size Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/bite-size-japanese) - [Comprehensible Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/comprehensible-japanese) - [Easy Japanese Podcast](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/easy-japanese-podcast) - [Erin's Challenge](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/erins-challenge) - [FluentU](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/fluentu) - [Glossika Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/glossika) - [Learn Japanese Pod](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/learn-japanese-pod) - [Let's Learn Japanese from Small Talk](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/lets-learn-japanese-from-small-talk) - [Lingopie Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/lingopie) - [Memrise](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/memrise) - [Onomappu](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/onomappu) - [SAKURA TIPS](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/sakura-tips) - [That Japanese Man Yuta](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/that-japanese-man-yuta) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best Japanese listening practice for beginners? Daily audio you will actually play. A free podcast such as Nihongo con Teppei, or official NHK World lessons, beats a library you never open. ## Related - [Japanese YouTube channels by study goal](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-youtube-channels) - Start with Tanaka san for short visual lessons, NihongoDekita for practical explanations, Sambon Juku for grammar in Japanese, or one podcast for sustained listening. - [Japanese listening resources for beginners, by support level](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-listening-resources-for-beginners) - Use Irodori or NHK World when you need numbered lessons, Comprehensible Japanese when visuals keep meaning available, Nihongo con Teppei for short listen-only practice, and News in Slow Japanese when text support matters. - [Free Japanese Learning Resources: Build a Study Routine](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/free-japanese-learning-resources) - A complete free stack can start with Irodori for sequence, Tae Kim for explanation, Jisho for lookup, Renshuu for optional review, Tadoku for reading, and Nihongo con Teppei for audio. You do not need all six on day one. - [Activate Your Japanese!](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/activate-your-japanese) - Japan Foundation and NHK video material about communication strategies and everyday life. - [Bite Size Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/bite-size-japanese) - Layla's Japanese listening podcast about daily life, culture and language-learning topics. - [Comprehensible Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/comprehensible-japanese) - Leveled all-Japanese input videos. The site is now branded Natural Japanese.