# Quartet > Quartet is an intermediate Japanese textbook series for learners who finished a beginner course. See who it fits, self-study workload and what comes after. Canonical: https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/quartet Last updated: 2026-09-10 An intermediate four-skills textbook after a beginner series. Useful in class or with the workbook. Same slot as Tobira. Published: 2026-08-14 6 min read intermediate · paid · involved · Textbook · Print [Visit Quartet](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/quartet) ## Key facts | Fact | Details | | --- | --- | | Best for | Learners who finished a beginner series of about 250 to 300 hours | | Avoid if | Beginner books are unfinished | | Pricing | Paid textbooks and matching workbooks | | Platform | Print | | Ease of use | involved | ## Pros - Learners who finished a beginner series of about 250 to 300 hours - Classes assigned Quartet - English-speaking self-studiers who will also use the workbook ## Cons - Beginner books are unfinished - Your class already uses Tobira - You wanted an app course instead of chapter work Quartet is an intermediate Japanese series for learners who have finished a beginner course. The official site describes two textbooks, matching workbooks, and four skill sections on the same theme in each lesson. It is meant to take intermediate learners toward advanced study, not to replace a beginner book. Choosing between Quartet and Tobira? Read [Tobira vs Quartet](https://studyjapanese101.com/compare/tobira-vs-quartet). ## Who it fits It fits a class that assigned it, or a self-studier who will do chapter work. The FAQ, checked 10 Sep 2026, says English grammar notes, reading-strategy notes, and vocabulary translations make self-study possible, and that the workbook plus the series vocab and kanji apps make that more effective. It is still a book. Skipping exercises wastes the purchase. The homepage prerequisite is around 250 to 300 hours of elementary study. The about page assumes the kanji from [Genki](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/genki). Jumping in earlier is how chapters stall. ## Workload The FAQ's classroom guide is about 100 hours per volume, or about 200 hours for all 12 lessons. Each lesson is sketched as 16 hours: 8 reading (including patterns), 2 writing, 3 speaking, 1 listening, and 2 brush-up. Teachers can assign reading notes as homework if class time is shorter. Self-study will not match that clock, but it is an honest picture of how much work a lesson contains. ## Limits [Tobira](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/tobira) occupies the same next-textbook slot. Pick the book your tutor already knows. The pair decision is [Tobira vs Quartet](https://studyjapanese101.com/compare/tobira-vs-quartet). This page does not rerun that comparison. Quartet is not an app course. Related apps exist for vocabulary and kanji. They do not replace the textbook. ## What comes after Quartet If you finished Quartet 1, the official next book in the series is Quartet 2. The FAQ places volume 1 after beginning study (250 to 300 hours) and volume 2 after the early intermediate stage (350 to 400 hours including the beginning). The about page centers volume 1 on JLPT N3 material and volume 2 on N2, with both volumes aimed at CEFR B1 and the start of B2. If you finished both volumes, you can work toward advanced Japanese, not a second intermediate series. That usually means more pages and audio you can finish, plus a grammar reference you will open. Buy another heavy textbook only if a class assigned it. Do not buy Tobira as a parallel path after Quartet unless you are changing books on purpose. ## How to test it Open lesson 1's four sections and the matching workbook pages. If you can finish that loop in a week without abandoning the reading, continue. If the chapter sits closed, spend the time on reading instead. The offer path is [/go/quartet](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/quartet). ## Sources checked Product details can change. Evidence pages and their individual check dates appear below. Profile reviewed 2026-09-10. - [QUARTET ONLINE](https://quartet.japantimes.co.jp/en) - official publisher · checked 2026-09-10 · Official series overview, two textbooks and workbooks, four-skills lessons, and the 250 to 300 elementary-hour prerequisite. - [What is QUARTET?](https://quartet.japantimes.co.jp/en/about/) - official publisher · checked 2026-09-10 · Two volumes of six lessons each, Genki kanji assumption, N3 then N2 centering, CEFR B1 toward the start of B2, English grammar and vocabulary translations. - [QUARTET ONLINE FAQs](https://quartet.japantimes.co.jp/en/faq/) - official docs · checked 2026-09-10 · Self-study with English notes, workbook, and vocab/kanji apps; about 100 class hours per volume and 16 hours per lesson. ## Alternative tools - [A Dictionary of Japanese Grammar](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/dictionary-of-japanese-grammar) - A three-volume grammar dictionary for looking up patterns you already met. - [Bunpo](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/bunpo) - Multi-language grammar lessons with Japanese, SRS review, and paid Plus or Platinum plans. - [Busuu](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/busuu) - A general language-learning app that includes a Japanese course. ## Related - [Japanese textbooks and courses](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/textbooks-courses) - A course is useful only if you finish lessons. Choose the format you will sit with. - [Tobira vs Quartet: Which Intermediate Japanese Textbook?](https://studyjapanese101.com/compare/tobira-vs-quartet) - Buy the intermediate book your class or tutor already uses. If you are choosing alone, pick one series and do the chapters. Do not own both Tobira and Quartet as two next textbooks. - [Japanese resources for intermediate learners](https://studyjapanese101.com/levels/intermediate) - Intermediate study is more input and fewer stacked beginner apps. Keep one review loop. Add reading, listening, and a grammar reference you will actually open. - [Japanese Textbook Chooser: Tobira or Quartet?](https://studyjapanese101.com/tools/textbook-chooser) - Tobira and Quartet both follow beginner Japanese study. Use your class assignment and preferred lesson format to choose one series, or compare samples before you decide. - [Genki](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/genki) - A beginner textbook series covering the four skills, with audio and a workbook. - [Tobira](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/tobira) - An intermediate Japanese textbook often used after Genki or Minna no Nihongo.