Irodori
Free Japan Foundation textbooks for daily-life Japanese, with audio.
BeginnerFreeEasyTextbookListeningWeb
Japanese textbooks and courses
A course is useful only if you finish lessons. Choose the format you will sit with.
Genki
A beginner textbook series covering the four skills, with audio and a workbook.
BeginnerPaidModerateTextbookWeb
Marugoto
Japan Foundation course materials for everyday Japanese communication.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumModerateTextbookCourseWeb, Print
Minna no Nihongo
A classroom Japanese series. Best with a teacher or the translation companion.
BeginnerIntermediatePaidInvolvedTextbookPrint
Tobira
An intermediate Japanese textbook often used after Genki or Minna no Nihongo.
IntermediatePaidInvolvedTextbookPrint, Web
MaruMori
A guided multi-skill path that combines grammar, reading, kanji, and review.
BeginnerIntermediatePaidModerateTextbookWeb, iPhone, Android
Nihongo no Mori
JLPT-focused video classes taught in Japanese, with a paid site and app.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumModerateCourseYouTube, Web, iPhone, Android
Official JLPT practice materials
Free official samples plus paid workbooks with authentic JLPT questions and audio.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedFreemiumModerateTextbookWeb, Print
Shin Kanzen Master
3A exam-prep books for one JLPT skill at a time, from N4 through N1.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedPaidInvolvedTextbookPrint
TRY! JLPT
ASK exam-prep books that teach JLPT grammar through texts, then mock the paper.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedPaidModerateTextbookPrint
Nihongo So-matome
ASK daily JLPT skill books with translations, from N5 through N1.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedPaidModerateTextbookPrint
Migii JLPT
N5 to N1 mock tests and skill drills on web, iPhone, and Android.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedFreemiumEasyCourseWeb, iPhone, Android
Japanese from Zero
Beginner textbooks plus a matching interactive web course and lesson videos.
BeginnerFreemiumModerateTextbookPrint, Web, YouTube
LingoDeer
A structured Japanese app course with clearer grammar notes than most gamified apps.
BeginnerFreemiumEasyCourseiPhone, Android, Web
Duolingo
A free habit app that can introduce Japanese, but not a complete course.
BeginnerFreemiumEasyCourseiPhone, Android, Web
Quartet
An intermediate Japanese textbook series often used after a beginner course.
IntermediatePaidInvolvedTextbookPrint
Japanese for Busy People
A beginner Japanese textbook series written for working adults with limited time.
BeginnerPaidModerateTextbookPrint
Human Japanese
A paid beginner Japanese app that reads like a patient textbook on your phone.
BeginnerPaidModerateCourseTextbookiPhone, Android
Busuu
A general language-learning app that includes a Japanese course.
BeginnerFreemiumEasyCourseiPhone, Android, Web
A Dictionary of Japanese Grammar
A three-volume grammar dictionary for looking up patterns you already met.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedPaidModerateGrammarTextbookPrint, Digital
Bunpo
Multi-language grammar lessons with Japanese, SRS review, and paid Plus or Platinum plans.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasyGrammarCourseiPhone, Android, Web
NHK World Easy Japanese
Free official beginner Japanese lessons with audio from NHK World.
BeginnerFreeEasyListeningCourseWeb
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Textbooks and courses exist to remove the “what next?” problem. They fail when the format does not match your week.
If you need a first stack, use Japanese resources for beginners. If you already finished a beginner series, use Japanese resources for intermediate learners.
One textbook is enough when you will do the exercises and the next lesson is already chosen. Finish that sequence, or drop it on purpose. Do not buy a second sequence while the first is still open.
Add reading or listening beside the book when the book’s audio and dialogs are not enough input for your week. Keep the textbook as the path. Do not start another course to fill that gap.
An app course is the better fit when you will not sit with a paper book and you need one daily loop.
Free structured path
Irodori is a Japan Foundation course with audio. It is built around daily life in Japan.
Classroom standard
Genki is the book many classes and tutors assume. Buy the workbook if you buy the textbook. If you are choosing between Genki and Minna no Nihongo, read Genki vs Minna no Nihongo first. If you already finished it, use What to use after Genki. If the next-book choice is Tobira or Quartet, use Tobira vs Quartet.
App-shaped course
MaruMori keeps several skills in one environment. Test the daily loop before a long subscription.
If you prefer a more configurable multi-skill study center, compare renshuu vs MaruMori and let only one own lessons and reviews.
One course at a time. Adding Genki, Irodori, and MaruMori together is how people stall.
If the job is JLPT exam practice
That is a different course job. Start with official JLPT samples and workbooks, then use the JLPT study resources shortlist instead of buying a second beginner series. TRY! and Nihongo So-matome are ASK exam books. Buy one skill or one level, not the shelf.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duolingo enough to learn Japanese?
No. It can introduce kana and some vocabulary. Adults still need grammar, reading, and a review loop that matches real Japanese.
Genki or Minna no Nihongo?
Genki is easier to self-study because explanations sit in the main book. Minna is common in classrooms and needs the translation companion for self-study.
Related
JLPT study resources by exam job, not by hypeStart with official JLPT samples and workbooks. Add Shin Kanzen Master for one weak section, Migii for extra timed mocks, and keep language skill on grammar, kanji, and listening hubs.The best Japanese learning app for each beginner jobLingoDeer fits a grammar-led app course. Renshuu fits learners who want a configurable study center. Irodori is the strongest free structured path. Pick one as the course, then add input instead of another app.GenkiA beginner textbook series covering the four skills, with audio and a workbook.IrodoriFree Japan Foundation textbooks for daily-life Japanese, with audio.Official JLPT practice materialsFree official samples plus paid workbooks with authentic JLPT questions and audio.MaruMoriA guided multi-skill path that combines grammar, reading, kanji, and review.