It’s one of the most important Japanese learning decisions you’ll ever make.
Which Japanese textbook should you buy?
You are reading: Japanese foreign language books books
Whether you’re a complete beginner in learning Japanese or have your sights set on taking the jlpt this year, it’s crucial that you find the right textbook for you.
In this post, I will give you detailed information about the best Japanese books for all levels and goals.
content
- Japanese textbooks for beginners
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- “genki”
- “Japanese from scratch!”
- “Japanese living language”
- “Japanese pimsleur”
- “minna no nihongo”
- “tobira”
- “Japanese for busy people ii”
- “yookoso! continuing with contemporary Japanese”
- “shading: let’s talk Japanese!”
- “nihongo active talk”
- “new nihongo keigo training”
- “practice makes perfect”
- “a guide to Japanese grammar”
- “Japanese verbs & fundamentals of grammar”
- “all about particles”
- “new kanzen teacher jlpt n4: grammar”
- “try it!” jlpt series
- “nihongo tan matome”
- “the manual of Japanese verbs”
- “Japanese vocabulary”
- “modern Japanese vocabulary”
- “enliven your Japanese with onomatopoeia”
- “random house japanese-english english-japanese dictionary”
- “kodansha furigana dictionary”
- “kenkyusha new japanese-english dictionary”
- “a dictionary of basic Japanese grammar”
- “the dictionary for learning kodansha kanji”
- “a dictionary of Japanese particles”
- “collocations common Japanese”
- “sanseido Japanese dictionary”
- “nelson’s new Japanese-English character dictionary”
- “a guide to remembering Japanese characters”
- “remembering kanji”
- “ Basic Kanji Book, Vol. 1”
- “the kodansha kanji learning course”
- “Japanese short stories for beginners”
- “Japanese short stories: new penguin parallel text”
- “read real Japanese fiction”
- “Japanese stories for language learners”
- “nihongo through newspaper articles”
- provide structure
- help you focus
- provide detailed explanations
- engage you on multiple levels
- promote the exploratory learning
- physical stores
- online stores
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See Also: Lisa Marie Rice – Book Series In Order
Japanese textbooks for beginners
“genki”
Probably the most popular beginner’s choice for learning Japanese, “genki” i and ii books have been around for years and are a favorite in university “intro to Japanese” courses. There’s a good reason for the enduring popularity of this series: they’re well-written, easy to understand, affordable, and comprehensive.
The books cover all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening). Difficult grammar points are explained in English so you can easily keep up. if you’re looking to take the jlpt, genki i covers n5 while genki ii covers n4, so if you know the vocabulary, grammar, and kanji in the books and can do the listening exercises, you’re probably ready for the exam .
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advantages:
- The series is popular, so there are many online publications and user experiences about it.
- Some additional online materials are free to use.
- there are workbooks available and they are really useful to help consolidate learning without breaking the bank.
cons:
- they are meant to be taught by a Japanese teacher in class and have a lot of pair work exercises, so they are not always great for self-study.
- answers are sold by separate. in an additional book and they are all in Japanese with no translation available.
“Japanese from scratch!”
Offering an non-intimidating entry point to learning Japanese on your own, this series has become very popular since it was first published in 2006.
Unlike most textbooks, a teacher is not required, and an active online community awaits those who want a more interactive approach. the series was written by a native English speaker and a native Japanese speaker, which means that different ways of thinking about language acquisition are considered.
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advantages:
- books are designed for self-study
- the interface of the books and web materials is intuitive and visually appealing.
- supplementary materials are available to users registered on the yesjapan site.
- cost point is significantly lower than many alternatives.
cons:
- Audio is not included in the textbook, although there is some in the supplementary materials you can view online.
- You have to pay extra to access some web content.
- The slower pace can frustrate busy adult learners with limited time.
- It is less comprehensive than some of its counterparts.
“Japanese living language”
living language is an established language teaching company that has been around for years. you can find specific books for your level or buy a complete package that includes books for all available levels.
In this Japanese series, traditional textbooks are combined with a suite of audio CDs and online resources to create a comprehensive experience for learning all the basics of Japanese. the show goes against the grain, boldly claiming that it doesn’t force adults to learn like babies. instead, the living language program prides itself on teaching adults new languages through in-depth instruction.
This is done through vocabulary lists, sample dialogues, plenty of opportunities to practice, as well as detailed grammar explanations that don’t shy away from difficult topics. the focus is on the essentials of the language, which means that the vocabulary and grammar you will encounter are the most common features of everyday Japanese conversation.
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advantages:
- textbooks include cd to practice speaking and listening.
- price is reasonable considering amount of material.
- works well as a stand-alone course for those who are not registered. in a formal class.
cons:
- can look dated, at times it definitely shows its age.
- explanations and exercises are often dry.
“Japanese pimsleur”
pimsleur is another highly respected language company that has been around for years. its method focuses on speaking and listening through audio, making it ideal for students who want to supplement other textbooks or courses with additional listening and speaking practice.
By breaking down spoken Japanese syllable by syllable and providing authentic dialogue, you’ll gain insight into the natural flow of the language, allowing you to better understand and participate in conversations in Japanese. audio lessons give you the opportunity to speak out loud and really use the language.
plus, each lesson is half an hour or less, making it perfect for the language learner on the go.
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advantages:
- excellent source of speaking and listening material for those who do not have native Japanese speakers to practice with.
- students quickly gain confidence through speaking and understanding exercises.
- level specific packs or full sets are available.
cons:
- on the more expensive side.
- since it is entirely focused on audio, there is no exposure to reading or writing Japanese.
“minna no nihongo”
Another important player for Japanese beginners is “minna no nihongo” (translated as “Japanese for everyone”). This well-established textbook series has a really wide range of offerings.
The book introduces kanji from the start and while this can be challenging, it pays big dividends and makes learning much quicker as you go along. the all-Japanese format means you’ll have to work harder to read the translation book, which will help you start thinking in Japanese sooner.
The books are written by established Japanese teachers who are experts in their fields. I especially liked his book “25 topics you can read as a beginner”.
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advantages:
- answers to some activities are included in the back of the book.
- presented entirely in Japanese for true immersion.
- the series has a wide variety of books. , which covers many skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- Because there are so many books, there are plenty of opportunities to practice and focus on the skills you especially need to master.
cons:
- Knowledge of hiragana and katakana is a must before starting this textbook.
- It is designed to be used in a traditional classroom setting with a Japanese teacher to guide you.
- you may need to purchase additional translation and grammar notes to pass the instruction in Japanese.
- several books for each level means buying the whole set of books can be quite expensive.
intermediate Japanese textbooks
“tobira”
Until “tobira” was published in 2009, there had not been a significant new textbook for intermediate students for 15 years. the writers and editors clearly worked hard to create a resource that wascomprehensive, challenging, and supportive of students trying to overcome the dreaded plateau in the middle.
Highly recommended by users to bridge the gap between lower-intermediate and advanced Japanese, this textbook covers all language skills, including speaking and listening. the book presents concepts in a comprehensive yet accessible way, helping users understand the language, rather than just memorizing it.
“tobira” requires an investment of effort and time to work, but it produces excellent results and its place as a favorite in many university classes speaks to the quality of its content. interactive resources such as the “online language partner” feature, videos, and quizzes are available on the attached website.
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advantages:
- is comprehensive and logical in terms of content and order of learning.
- all skills are covered together, including speaking and listening.
- is designed for use in the classroom but works for independent learning as well.
cons:
- It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the rate at which new kanji are introduced, especially when studying independently.
- You’ll need additional grammar and kanji books to get the full experience, so that the series gets expensive quickly.
- big, heavy books make studying on the go impractical.
“Japanese for busy people ii”
There are two versions of this textbook: one is written in romaji while the other uses kana. the kana version also includes additional kanji lessons at the end. this may turn off some students, as the kanji has not been properly integrated and contextualized for the corresponding lesson, which can be especially problematic considering that Japanese is a high-context language and culture.
however, compared to some of the other books in this publication, “jfbp” is relatively cheap. therefore, if you choose this book, you will get a renowned classic learning guide at a low cost.
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advantages:
- ideal for learning Japanese in a short time, especially for a tourist situation
- teaches more complex grammar
- puts the vocabulary in its proper context
cons:
- need to buy a separate workbook for more exercises.
- not that helpful for learning kanji.
- there is an emphasis on work-related vocabulary instead of being diverse.
“yookous! continuing with contemporary Japanese”
a well-known text in the area of Japanese language teaching, “yookoso! continuing contemporary Japanese” is used in many university classrooms around the world.
however, it is not without its critics, especially from the most recent third edition. while updates include a companion cd and text written in a softer font, others include dated pop culture references and homework sections don’t always correspond to the day’s lesson. On top of that, it’s quite expensive: a used book can cost up to $150. Many people suggest that an older edition will work just as well.
With its density and cultural notes, this is one of those books that really brings the language to life. In addition, like “tobira”, the content is relevant to daily life and deals with topics such as travel, transportation, health, media and nature.
advantages:
- examines Japanese grammar in depth.
- there are many useful cultural notes.
- you will pick up vocabulary for daily life.
cons:
- There are not so many exercises for speaking and writing.
- It is quite expensive, with a hardcover copy ranging from $70 to $150.
- It covers less than 200 kanji.
books to speak Japanese
“shading: let’s speak Japanese!”
As its name implies, this resource uses the shadow technique to teach Japanese, which consists of speaking together with a native speaker and trying to match the speed, tone and pronunciation.
the main strength of these books lies in their practicality: the example sentences contained in both are really useful in daily life. are great resources for perfecting your pronunciation and learning to automatically speak common phrases naturally. books allow you to learn idioms and speech naturally in just 10 minutes a day, making them great for those with limited time who want to get started right away.
There are two main books available, covering Beginner to Intermediate and Intermediate to Advanced. In addition, a specialized book for job interviews is also available.
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advantages:
- Books are of good quality, well organized, and include audio from a native speaker.
- The system promotes natural speed, rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation.
- You will start speaking from the first day.
- The technique used produces excellent results compared to other methods of oral practice.
cons:
- You need to speak loudly, so it’s not the best for studying in public.
- These textbooks are only good for speaking and listening; the texts do not support reading or writing. grammar practice or learning.
- do not check comprehension or place sentences in the context of longer speech.
- no quizzes or review exercises.
“active nihongo talk”
If your main goal is to have conversations and make friends in Japanese, then “nihongo active talk” may be just what you need. covers idioms and vocabulary for beginners and focuses on the application and understanding of simple speaking and listening skills.
The book focuses on understanding basic grammar concepts and applying them in conversation, helping students study concepts in context. And since it supports romaji, you can dive in even without any knowledge of Japanese reading.
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advantages:
- Romaji-based instruction makes reading easy.
- Short, simple exercises mean you can progress quickly, while staying motivated.
- Helpful vocabulary lists to help you to choose to create new words and review them easily.
cons:
- romaji can discourage the acquisition of kana, which is essential for advancing your learning.
- the focus on conversation skills means it is less comprehensive than other textbooks.
“new nihongo keigo training”
keigo, or Japanese honorific, is used to show respect and indicate one’s place in a hierarchy. it is an essential characteristic of Japanese and mastering keigo can mean the difference between being able to work using your Japanese and annoying a client or failing an interview.
There aren’t many resources specifically dedicated to the topic of keigo, so the “new nihongo keigo training” was a welcome edition when it was published in 2014.
This textbook focuses on the practical use of a more complicated aspect of advanced Japanese. it does this by covering natural conversations and functional thematic topics, such as turning down an invitation and using keigo in emails.
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advantages:
- furigana means that you can learn to communicate politely without knowledge of Japanese kanji.
- It’s succinct: this book gets straight to the point!
- includes a CD . and an audio download is available on the publisher page.
cons:
- minimal explanations in English mean this book may not be appropriate for those not fully familiar with keigo.
- there is limited speaking assistance.
- los open-ended practice exercises can make it difficult to assess the accuracy of your own answers.
- pair work activities are not suitable for students learning alone.
Japanese grammar books
“practice makes perfect”
As the name suggests, this is a practice-based book. students learn grammar through a series of interactive lessons that teach all the essentials.
Explanations of verb types, particles, clause modification and more are presented plain and simple for the beginner. you’ll be able to work directly in the book as you go through short lessons and exercises, perfect for even time-pressed language learners.
Key grammar concepts are supplemented by many real-world examples, allowing you to immediately put what you’ve learned into practice.
to go:
- suitable for beginners, easy to start and easy to understand.
- exercises also cover phonetics, writing and other often neglected areas of language learning.
- usage dictionary included.
- exercise-based approach helps students internalize grammar.
cons:
- kanji is introduced quickly and uses only romaji translations, not furigana, making it difficult to associate kanji with the correct sounds.
- longer explanations for more difficult topics could work with more training.
“a guide to Japanese grammar”
This book covers all the essentials of Japanese grammar in explicit detail, from basic sentence endings to advanced topics like negative volitionals.
The main objective of this book is to give the student basic elements that they can use to create a solid foundation in their knowledge of everything related to Japanese grammar. Instead of starting with standard sentences using formal constructions and working backwards (like most textbooks), tae kim presents Japanese grammar from the bottom up. This means that you will learn the individual elements of grammar, as well as how to put them together to form more natural sentences than traditional textbooks teach.
This book is recommended for long-term students who want a systematic and comprehensive approach and don’t mind starting with the “hard stuff”.
The textbook is designed for independent learners and is popular with self-learners, so there are healthy online communities around this book to answer questions and provide support. Best of all, this entire book is available for free online from the author and you can even download a PDF for free too. You can also find a physical version on amazon if you prefer your Japanese textbooks to be tangible.
to go:
- extremely detailed and comprehensive: covers grammar, spelling, phonetics, and more, with lots of support and examples.
- includes examples and vocabulary used by Japanese people in the real world today, such as casual speech and slang.
- Great for reviewing grammar rules, this textbook can be used as a reference guide for beginners as well as a textbook to work from start to finish.
cons:
- there are no listening comprehension exercises or audio support
- practice exercises are open questions, so they require someone with better Japanese than you to check for errors
“Japanese verbs & essential elements of grammar”
This book covers all the essentials in 160 pages. it is logically organized for easy reference and offers a good way for beginners to get up and running quickly.
part 1 focuses on Japanese verbs, explains their endings and forms, how to modify them, and more. you’ll also get lessons on those pesky て and た forms, which are essential for advancing Japanese grammar.
Part 2 explains various points of Japanese grammar from the basics, such as particles, counters, and conjugations. everything a newcomer to Japanese needs to know is presented in plain language, making this a great guide for those just beginning their Japanese journey.
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advantages:
- brief but comprehensive: all major grammar concepts are included and explained, no fluff.
- suitable for reference and includes tables to aid quick assimilation.
- bonus you can access the audio material online.
- has a section with cultural information.
cons:
- The sheer amount of information can be overwhelming for beginners, so it is best used to reinforce learning.
- The book only uses romaji, no kana or kanji.
“all about particles”
Although Japanese particles can be quite difficult to master, they are far from impossible to learn. all that is required is a clear and concise guide to learning, and that is where this book is here to help.
This book offers comprehensive explanations of nearly 70 Japanese particles, from basics like は and が to more complicated ones like だの and すら. many example sentences are provided to account for a variety of circumstances in which particles may appear.
For those who need help figuring out which Japanese particles to use in a sentence, it’s hard to find a better resource than this manual.
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advantages:
- uses cross-references to explain when multiple particles can be used in the same situation.
- good for all levels of Japanese learners.
- focuses on developing understanding through context to enable full understanding.
cons:
- This is strictly a reference book, so there are no exercises.
books to pass the jlpt
“new master kanzen jlpt n4: grammar”
One of a great seriesaimed at those studying for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), this is certainly a valuable resource for anyone studying Japanese grammar. the levels in these books correspond to jlpt levels, ranging from n5 (easiest) to n1 (hardest).
I personally used version n2 of this grammar book to study for the jlpt, and was amazed at how comprehensive and easy to understand it was. each grammar point receives a full explanation, detailing the usage and limits of the terms.
There are also lessons on sentence structure and explanations of grammatical conjugations, where you can put the new terms you’ve learned into practice. I definitely owe my test success to this bad boy!
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advantages:
- series available for all levels from beginner to advanced (jlpt n4~n1).
- many practice exercises with mock tests.
- explains the differences between similar grammatical phrases .
cons:
- the jlpt approach means this is more of a review than a place to learn new grammar points.
- explanations sometimes don’t delve into each topic
“try it!” jlpt series
the message “try it!” The series is specifically focused on students who intend to take the JLPT exam. the books strike a good balance between instruction, application, and review of new grammar and vocabulary.
I found his grammar explanations to be sufficient without being so complex that I had trouble memorizing the main points. Plus, the examples are pretty close to what you might find in the real world, making it a valuable resource for seeing the application of the concepts you’re learning. the series worked well during lessons as well as when I studied independently.
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advantages:
- the quick “a to b” style is perfect for the jlpt as it covers the basics succinctly.
- contains good simple grammar explanations with some examples as well as exercises and listening comprehension . quizzes.
- answers are included to facilitate self-assessment.
- books come with cd’s attached.
cons:
- you may need more examples to get an idea of how to use grammar that has no English equivalent.
- some grammar concepts are glossed over with brief explanations.
“nihongo tan matome”
“nihongo so matome” is often misused as a main textbook for those studying for the jlpt, especially for n3 or n2. 纏める（まとめる, matomeru) means “to consolidate” and for that purpose, these books are excellent. however, they lack the depth and explanation needed in a primary textbook for learning.
The series has five slim books at each level covering reading, listening, grammar, vocabulary, and kanji. all questions are multiple choice, just like real jlpt exams. The textbook helps you review jlpt topics quickly and effectively. Recommended study days are noted, helping you work through the book in a few weeks and making it ideal for the last month or two before your big exam.
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advantages:
- the books have a cute and attractive design.
- the size of the books makes them ideal for use on the go.
- the content is divided into manageable sections , with answers on the next page
cons:
- Students may expect the book to teach them simple topics, rather than consolidate existing learning. (used correctly, this is not a drawback at all).
- five books for each level gets expensive.
- the series uses some question types and vocabulary not found in jlpt exams, so you may cover some extra material and miss something that might be on your exam.
books to learn Japanese vocabulary
a vocabulary book is not the same as a dictionary. Understanding when and how to write, spell, and speak Japanese vocabulary is complex, so there are vocabulary books to hold your hand a little longer than a dictionary while you learn.
Vocabulary books are meant to give you a good understanding of the words they teach, but in order to use the words in conversation, you’ll need to take your learning beyond the book. try to find real world examples of the words in movies, shows and books and any other authentic Japanese content you consume.
One way to do this is to search for each new term you learn in the fluentu language learning program. this will show all the videos in the program’s library that use the word. This means you’ll be able to see new vocabulary words used in native Japanese media, such as movie and anime clips, trailers, talks and speeches, news segments, and more.
Each word in the interactive captions is clickable for a definition, and you can also add these words to your fluentu vocabulary list by turning them into flashcards. These flashcards even allow you to watch more videos that use the word, with as much context as possible.
Practice these new words through personalized quizzes that also test writing and speaking skills. plus, fluentu is available as an app for ios and android, as well as a browser-based program, so you can learn anywhere.
a program like fluentu and a vocabulary book are key additions to your vocabulary learning arsenal.
“the manual of Japanese verbs”
The Japanese language revolves around verbs: their conjugations, modifications, and location within a sentence. as such, a book like this one focused on verbs and their use will be very helpful.
The bookexplains how verbs work and how they are conjugated and relies heavily on exercises to ensure students understand the material as they go.
After dividing Japanese verbs into their parts, it shows how they are mixed and matched with helpers to convey a wide variety of meanings. below shows how these verbs work in real Japanese sentences, with lots of examples and practice questions to make sure you understand the meaning of each term.
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advantages:
- excellent for beginning and intermediate students who want a solid understanding of verbs.
- the exercise-oriented approach makes it ideal for self-study or for students who want hands-on practice.
- The book includes various appendices and methods for looking up verbs.
cons:
- none that I know of!
“Japanese vocabulary”
This book organizes thousands of common Japanese words into categories. From basics like greetings and numbers to more specific terms like travel and shopping, it’s easy to create a study plan from this book or focus on what’s relevant to you.
This resource is excellent for beginning and intermediate learners who want to focus on specific areas or supplement their own studies with vocabulary.
pronunciation is given for each word, and if you need to find a certain word quickly, there’s an easy-to-navigate section that lets you choose the term you want, displaying the meanings in both English and Japanese.
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advantages:
- very reasonable price.
- small but comprehensive.
- thematic organization allows students to focus on particular areas as needed.
cons:
- No kanji or kana are used in this book.
- Some of the words included are not practical for everyday use.
“modern Japanese vocabulary”
Here’s another vocabulary builder that organizes terms by topic. The words taught in this textbook cover a variety of topics such as law, the internet, dentistry, culture, history, and more.
What’s great about this is that not only do you get the common terms you may be looking for, but you will get a number of related words that may also come up in relation to that term. It also gets incredibly specific : In the section on family, naturally includes words for spouses and relatives, but also offers words to describe romantic relationships. There are even notes on specific Japanese expressions!
Note that in this version, all readings are in kana, not romaji. this makes it ideal for those serious about reading practice.
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advantages:
- useful for beginning and intermediate students who want to supplement studies with vocabulary.
- kanji and kana included with easy-to-read fonts.
- topics can be very detailed , making it useful for students who want to expand their vocabulary beyond the basics.
cons:
- Categories are organized seemingly randomly, so finding the topic you’re looking for requires a bit of exploration.
- Katakana readings are in katakana (not hiragana), so you’ll really need a solid understanding of both to understand all the readings.
“spice up your Japanese with onomatopoeia”
Onomatopoeia is a big part of Japanese, but is often not covered in textbooks. this is really a shame, because Japanese onomatopoeia can be used to express all sorts of concepts, feelings, sounds, and more that English doesn’t have words for, but I wish it did!
This book contains a wide variety of onomatopoeia and delves into the details of everyday Japanese to make you sound more like a native. To help readers learn how they are used in sentences, sample dialogues are provided in Japanese, with romaji transcriptions and English translations.
The introduction alone is worthwhile as it explains the logic behind onomatopoeia and certain rules it follows when dealing with sound associations. Did you know that each Japanese vowel symbolizes a certain aspect of onomatopoeia? I know I didn’t, until I ripped the spine off this book!
advantages:
- explains the symbolism between sound and onomatopoeia meanings.
- written in casual, everyday Japanese to give an accurate sense of everyday conversations.
- provides cultural notes on certain nuances points.
cons:
- Japanese and Romaji renderings are on different pages (instead of following each sentence), forcing you to keep looking back.
Japanese dictionaries
“Japanese-English English-Japanese random house dictionary”
This is a reasonably priced dictionary with tens of thousands of entries, ideal for beginning and intermediate learners. With such a large collection, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a word that isn’t included!
It is divided into two sections: a Japanese-English section and an English-Japanese section. the Japanese section is labeled based on romaji, with Japanese characters (kana and kanji) included, so newcomers to Japanese can jump in without having to worry about kana they may still be unsteady on.
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advantages:
- The Japanese-English part sorts the entries by the English alphabet, so it’s quite easy to find words.
- Entries include Japanese kana.
- the amount of inputs makes it suitable for long-term use.
cons:
- there is no way to look up unknown kanji, since you need to know the pronunciation of a word before you can find it in romaji.
- it’s old (1997), so you’ll find some terms obsolete and no word for new 21st century technology.
- no example sentences.
“kodansha furigana dictionary”
This dictionary includes furigana (small hiragana written over kanji) to help students learn how to pronounce words. this is a fantastic feature, as many dictionaries do not include furigana readings of kanji. students can learn kanji readings through the furigana while browsing this dictionary, giving them a head start on their studies.
Like the random house dictionary, it is divided into a Japanese-English section and an English-Japanese section. the Japanese-English section is written in Japanese Kana, not Romaji. There are also notes on words that may have a vague meaning, with example sentences showing them in their correct contexts.
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advantages:
- Japanese-English section, sorted by kana, helps students learn the native Japanese kana order.
- suitable for beginning and intermediate learners.
- se include example sentences with each entry.
- compact and portable.
cons:
- there is no romaji at all, so no support for new students.
- the furigana is in a very small font, making it difficult to read at times.
“kenkyusha’s new Japanese-English dictionary”
This rugged dictionary is the most comprehensive and in-depth dictionary on the market, with 290,000 words.
many entries have multiple subentries, allowing for precise definitions that allow you to understand the exact meaning of each word. Example sentences and detailed explanations abound, so you’re fully informed about what each word means, including those without English equivalents.
also, this is the dictionary used by translators and professionals, so it is essential if you hope to venture into that field for yourself.
As a fun side note, many people in Japanese-related fields call her the “green goddess” due to her characteristic dark green covering.
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advantages:
- the reference dictionary for students who plan to study Japanese for many years.
- suitable for intermediate students, advanced students, and translators.
- later editions include more entries and more up-to-date terms than the previous ones.
cons:
- it is very expensive, especially if you want to buy it new.
“a dictionary of basic Japanese grammar”
Many Japanese teachers recommend this book to their students, and for good reason. This one stop shop for all things Japanese grammarcovers over 600 basic grammar points and provides detailed explanationson all possible uses of each term.
Aimed at beginning students of Japanese, this book provides definitions of each grammatical point and the particular characteristics it possesses. Several example sentences are provided for each entry, divided into parts that show how the grammar works in a Japanese sentence.
As if that weren’t helpful, the notes contain detailed explanations and exceptions that exist for each term.
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advantages:
- part of a series of three books on basic, intermediate and advanced grammar.
- organized in alphabetical order for easy access.
- example sentences break down the use of grammar points to facilitate study.
cons:
- depends heavily on romaji.
- explanations can get technical
“the dictionary to learn kodansha kanji”
made to be used with the “kodansha kanji learning course”,this comprehensive kanji dictionary has 3000 characters.basically all the kanji you could ever want to know are grouped in one place convenient.
meanings are given in order of importance and provide many examples of words containing the kanji. some kanji serve as prefixes and suffixes, and this dictionary also explains how they are used.
its most notable feature is its unique system called skip (kanji pattern indexing system), which organizes kanji based on patterns, rather than radicals. this makes it easy to find precisely the character you are looking for.
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advantages:
- Easy-to-use index for beginners to quickly look up kanji.
- Detailed character descriptions and includes examples of compound words to demonstrate meaning.
- color- coded entries to focus on main meanings and important characters.
- shows the detailed stroke order of each kanji.
cons:
- The non-standard default search method can backfire and make it harder to find what you’re looking for.
“a dictionary of Japanese particles”
Starting with an explanation of the importance, purpose, and functions of particles,this dictionary covers over 100 particles complete with example sentences,making it a valuable reference tool. for those misleading terms.
Designed for use by beginning and advanced Japanese learners, all particles shown are those found in modern Japanese. entries are written in romaji and kana for universal accessibility. The contents are arranged in English alphabetical order, so searching for just the particle you need is a breeze every time.
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advantages:
- presents different patterns and arrangements of particles in example sentences.
- provides colloquial terms as well as formal terms.
- includes exercises to practice using particles.
cons:
- For something as complex as particles, more example sentences would be helpful.
“common Japanese collocations”
“Collocations” are words or phrases that are often used together, in a way that sounds natural to native speakers. I guarantee you have some in your native language!
This book introduces words found in the Japanese language and shows how they are used in everyday life. Divided into incredibly detailed categories and subsections, you’ll find common phrases for every situation imaginable. For example, the “travel” section is divided into streets, maps, airports, logistics, and more. so you can find specific terms to navigate in tokyo station!
Please note that this is not a dictionary in the traditional sense, it is more of a guide to sounding more natural in Japanese. For those seriously planning to get to an advanced level in the Japanese language, this book is an excellent addition to their collection of resources.
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advantages:
- goes to abstract sentences that may not be covered by most textbooks.
- organizes sentences based on a word/kanji, creating an easy index for students to study.
- provides notes on common usage errors.
cons:
- the lack of an index makes it difficult to find specific entries.
“Japanese sanseido dictionary”
If you want to look up Japanese like Japanese kids do, why not try a Japanese-Japanese dictionary?
It really is very valuable to study Japanese in Japanese, as you will reinforce the terms you already know and learn how the Japanese define their own language; in other words, you are seeing the words in their native contexts.
All definitions in this colorfully illustrated book are written in easy-to-understand Japanese, making it a valuable tool for intermediate students looking to strengthen their Japanese.
This book also distinguishes homophones and explains key vocabulary points, showing how words are used in sentences and making sure you don’t trip over similar-sounding vocabulary. plus, all kanji include furigana, so as long as you master your kana, you can read this book!
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advantages:
- designed for kids, so it’s good for intermediate learners.
- indexed in kana order, with kanji labeled by grade level.
- provides illustrations for reinforce the meaning of words.
cons:
- word choice is very basic; it is by no means a complete dictionary.
books to learn kanji
“nelson’s new Japanese-English character dictionary”
This dictionary has been the industry standard kanji dictionary for years.
the nelson dictionary boasts that it includes all the kanji used in modern Japanese (over 7000!). kanji can be searched by radical, pronunciation, number of strokes, and more.
A lot of additional information is also included, such as an index of radicals, historical and geographical kanji, and other useful information.
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advantages:
- excellent for learners of any level.
- each kanji includes a long list of vocabulary words.
- includes a variety of appendices and indexes for additional search methods .
cons:
- does not show stroke order.
- uses romaji, not kana, for kanji readings.
- this is an old book (from 1997), so so certain information may be needed. dated.
“a guide to remembering Japanese characters”
This book is designed to help students master kanji.
contains all the kanji in everyday use (about 2000) and has extremely detailed etymology for each one, including historical character forms and earlier meanings. The book also includes the number and order of strokes, example sentences, and some ideas on how to remember the kanji.
You can also organize your studies according to the kanji classification in this book, which uses standards set by the Japanese Ministry of Education.
pros:
- suitable for intermediate to advanced learners.
- entries include meaning, pronunciation and vocabulary words.
- ideal as a supplement to other studies.
cons:
- relies on romaji, not kana, for readings.
- focuses much more on the history of each character than other useful information such as memory aids or related kanji.
“remember the kanji”
This book offers a different, story-based approach to learning 2,200 kanji. unlike the previous book, which was about the history of each kanji, this reference book relies heavily on the “how to memorize” aspect of learning kanji.
Each kanji item is associated with an item from the story, which is then used as a mnemonic device to aid memorization. For example, to remember the kanji 貝 (かい, seafood), readers are advised to imagine a giant clam with a large eye right in the center running down the beach terrorizing beachgoers.
The basic stroke order for each kanji is included, as well as information about the different elements and radicals that make up the character. An obvious missing element is the actual reading of each kanji – only the English meaning (or at least the main meaning) is given to you, so this guide is only useful when combined with a proper guide to the reading. of kanji.
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advantages:
- ideal for students who want a unique and systematic way to remember kanji and their meanings.
- focused solely on memorizing the meaning, as opposed to pronunciation, vocabulary, etc.
cons:
- no readings are provided for the kanji.
“book of basic kanji, vol. 1”
This first book in a two-part course aims to teach basic kanji to beginners and covers 250 characters. I fondly remember using this book and its second volume in my kanji classes years ago , working through writing games and reading exercises together with my classmates.
Each lesson begins with a lesson on kanji in its entirety, such as the composition of radicals, how kanji works in the Japanese language, and even common kanji in family names. each lesson covers 10 kanji each, breaking them down into their strokes and meanings, with simple Japanese reading and writing exercises.
also offers fun games after each activity to test what you’ve learned, such as concentration, navigating shopping malls, and even finding out the characteristics of real apartment ads. those real-world moments (including a complete tv guide in volume 2) are definitely my favorite parts of this series.
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advantages:
- aimed at beginning level students.
- focuses on developing reading and writing comprehension skills.
- provides lessons on kanji structure to gain intimacy with kanji from its foundations. .
cons:
- There is no answer key, so there is no real way to measure progress without a teacher.
“the kodansha kanji learning course”
This book aims to give its readers a solid foundation of kanji by taking them on a step-by-step journey through 2,300 characters. The kanji are organized by the kodansha system itself, grouping them according to difficulty and shared meanings, which facilitates the creation of an effective study plan.
Each of the kanji is explained in great detail, including stroke order, definition, readings, and more. my favorite part has to be the mnemonic guides for remembering characters, not only do they tell logical stories based on kanji radicals, but some of them have doubled over with laughter.
For example, the characters 厄 (やく, misfortune) and 危 (あぶ/き, danger) appear one after another. the first kanji is described as a cliff with a broken body underneath (pretty unlucky!). the second kanji tells the story of “a man who looks over the side of a cliff and, seeing what happened to the poor man from the previous entry, senses danger”. Not forgetting those two kanji any time soon!
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advantages:
- kanji is organized in shared units to maximize learning efficiency.
- allows you to cross-reference similar-looking characters to learn the difference between them.
- abstractly explains concepts behind kanji with fun, easy-to-remember mnemonics.
- contains an index that allows you to look up kanji based on radicals, readings, and more.
cons:
- the order of the kanji means that the more obscure words are often taught before the common kanji.
Japanese-English bilingual and parallel books
You can study all the textbooks you want, but at the end of the day, you’ll need to reinforce that study with real-world Japanese.
This is where bilingual and parallel textbooks come in handy.
Written in Japanese and English, they are designed to help students of Japanese make the transition from formal studies to authentic Japanese. reading Japanese stories allows you to explore ways of thinking you may never have considered before, making for a wonderfully engaging experience.
Not only that, you’re being exposed to Japanese as it should be experienced by native speakers, and with an English translation alongside the Japanese text, you’ll be able to keep your momentum going.
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“Japanese short stories for beginners”
Designed for beginners in written Japanese, this book has 20 short stories in Japanese that feature paragraph-by-paragraph translations to guide you through your first foray into the world of Japanese literature.
translations are provided line by line, meaning you get a Japanese line followed by an English line below it. At the end of each story, you are provided with a summary of the material, a vocabulary list, and questions to check your understanding.
If you’re new to reading Japanese stories, this book should be at the top of your list.
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advantages:
- engaging stories that provide repeated exposure to new vocabulary words.
- provides quizzes at the end of each story to check your understanding.
cons:
- although it is marketed for beginners, some of the vocabulary used is on the more advanced side.
“Japanese short stories: new penguin parallel text”
This book featureseight short stories from famous and emerging Japanese authors such as banana yoshimoto, kasushige abe, and hiromi kawakami. three of these short stories have never before been published in English: creating new material you can enjoy !
With stories covering a variety of topics and page-by-page parallel translations in English, engaging literature in Japanese is at your fingertips.
This book is an extremely flexible tool for those who have a little more knowledge of Japanese. if you want to challenge yourself, it’s easy to cover the English translation and read only the Japanese, or you can use it as a reference point as you go through the text. furigana for kanji are included, but only once, so this material is designed to push you towards kanji fluency.
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advantages:
- provides notes and annotations for fluent comprehension.
- aimed at intermediate to advanced learners.
- kindle and paperback editions available.
cons:
- would really benefit from a glossary.
“read real Japanese fiction”
As the title suggests, this book offers modern Japanese stories written by some of the best authors in Japan today. For those who want to know what the Japanese really read, look no further.
Stories are arranged by difficulty and furigana is provided for all kanji. While there are no full English translations, just detailed notes on each page, this format is a good challenge and allows the reader to focus primarily on the Japanese language.
There is also a section for each story that explains certain literary elements found in the stories. for example, if there is a verb in an unusual place that serves to create a specific scene, these notes will provide a detailed explanation of how and why this usage works. a great way to get acquainted with the more “flowery” Japanese!
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advantages:
- includes a dictionary that allows readers to review each word that appears in the stories.
- gradually increases difficulty with puns, tricky vocabulary, and literary devices.
cons:
- some of the stories are quite obscure, so be careful.
- almost half of the book is made up of grammar notes.
“Japanese stories for language learners”
This book presents classic Japanese stories that focus on Japanese culture and literary tradition. If you ever wanted to read famous stories like “kumo no ito” or “yuki onna” in their original Japanese , these entries with parallel English translations are the perfect opportunity to try.
Designed for intermediate and advanced learners, these stories are presented in a way that allows you to study from them. After the page-by-page parallel translations, you will find a list of vocabulary and a list of translator’s notes that explain certain complex passages and justify certain decisions for the English translation. Finally, you will get a quiz that will allow you to check your understanding of the new terms you have learned from the story.
For those of you who learn with others, there are also discussion questions that allow you to check your interpretation of the material. try this book for your next study group!
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advantages:
- comes with an mp3 cd containing recordings of each story.
- vocabulary lists, discussion questions, and quizzes to check comprehension.
- includes translator’s notes to increase understanding of difficult terms to translate into English.
cons:
- contains some archaic kanji, due to the age of the stories.
- furigana is a bit small and cramped in the small space between the lines.
“nihongo through newspaper articles”
“nihongo through newspaper articles” is a bilingual book. but Japanese content is always printed first to give you an opportunity for simultaneous immersion and self-assessment.
Each chapter begins with reading comprehension, where you are asked to “get the main passage” and to read as much of the article as possible without reviewing the vocabulary list. then the cd provides audio that covers the same topic as the corresponding passage, but within the context of a radio or television broadcast. and finally, the dialogue section provides related dialogue in both polite desu/masu form and informal speech.
A relatively unknown book, “ntna” will give you the challenge and encouragement you need to take your Japanese skills to the next (yet practical) level.
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advantages:
- let you experience Japanese newspapers first hand.
- you will get experience with realistic (yet understandable) news from the Japanese media.
- the format is organized, with vocabulary lists, audios and dialogues included.
cons:
- The articles are mostly from the 2000s, so they may be a bit dated.
- Copies are harder to find and new books sell for a high price.
5 benefits of learning Japanese from books
With so many online and mobile resources available, it can seem like using books to learn is a thing of the past.
But books remain a valuable resource for learning, providing hidden treasures of trusted, verified information that can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
You’ll never have to worry about studying without Wi-Fi when you’re using a book!
Cracking your spine and bringing your pencil to the page offers many benefits to learning Japanese. here are five:
provide structure
Books on how to learn Japanese are organized into lessons or units that group similar ideas together, which is great for creating learning schedules.
cover multiple topics like vocabulary, grammar, and speaking (for those with audio accompaniments) in one neat package.
nothing in left field will shoot to surprise you; all the terms you’ll find are the ones covered in the book, whether it’s something you’ve learned in a previous lesson or a taste of what’s to come in the next.
The previous lessons are also reinforced in the textbooks.
For example, if you learned about て forms in one chapter, you can bet they’ll be a feature in all future lessons. By seeing the て form in a variety of new situations, you’ll gain real-world experience working with its function, and before long you’ll be a trusted ally in your quest to learn Japanese.
help you focus
A little concentration goes a long way, and books make it easier for the wheel to turn.
When you learn Japanese from a book, you focus specifically on the page in front of you: there are no links, ads or suggested pages to get you off track.
With this increased focus, you are more likely to make inferences about the material being covered, allowing for greater depth of learning.
also, finding gaps in your understanding becomes much easier. If there’s something you’re just not getting after the third time you read that passage about visiting a shrine in Kyoto, you can spot it right away.
provide detailed explanations
While many websites provide definitions and usage examples of Japanese grammar, they often lack a good explanation of why these terms are used the way they are. this can lead to misunderstandings and frustration on your part.
This is where a good textbook has your back.
Within each lesson, extensive information is packed into a few short sentences, which can clear up any confusion the reader may have about the material.
Books to learn Japanese provide all kinds of notes and exceptions that may exist for a grammatical point, detailed examples of verb conjugation, and cultural contexts behind certain words.
so if you’re lost on a term like 我慢 (がまん, perseverance/endurance), try looking at a textbook for clarification!
involve you on multiple levels
Books draw you in in a way that’s unique to print: you see, touch, and ask questions of a book in front of you, asking you to read it.
Since Japanese requires the use of a new writing system, becoming familiar with printed words will force your brain to connect with these unfamiliar characters until they become second nature.
many textbooks offer different activities to respond to the material, such as word matches, bingo, skits, and more.
There are also different language styles in one place: you’ll get informal and formal speech in one go, making you familiar with each style of writing and speaking. Talk about a holistic approach to learning!
promote exploratory learning
Of course, books are not a one-size-fits-all solution to mastering Japanese; no learning medium is. but they serve as a solid starting point to take off towards creative methods of learning.
With the lessons from your textbook as a foundation, you can create new contexts in which to explore your new vocabulary and make connections to the real world.
try to practice the dialogue with your language partner with the stories in the lesson. plug the kanji for unity into your flash card app. the possibilities are endless with a textbook by your side!
where to buy japanese textbooks
While amazon may be the place to buy most books these days, and its “look inside” feature can be very helpful, there’s a lot to be said for considering other places to shop. here are some options:
physical stores
traditional physical stores can offer the opportunity to actually read a book and compare several side by side. if you’re lucky enough to have access to a college campus bookstore, then it might be worth taking a trip to check out their Japanese section.
flagship stores in larger cities also have more stock and you may find staff who are really familiar with the language sections and can help you.
online stores
omg japan has a good selection of Japanese textbooks and reference books. they are well organized and very easy to navigate by level, skill or series. the staff is professional, experienced in this specific area, and will help answer your questions.
Of course, amazon offers free shipping on many items and rock-bottom prices. It’s also worth considering the “used books” selection if you’re on a tight budget (especially for reference books, as textbooks can have trouble completing).
pro tip: intermediate and advanced students can check out the selections on the amazon japan website (all in japanese), as they have a much wider selection than most local sites from amazon from english speaking countries.
find the book you want, write down the isbn, then search by typing the isbn directly into the search bar on your local amazon site to see if a copy is available. It is possible to order directly from Japanese amazon, but it can have expensive shipping.
Regardless of which resource you choose, remember to think about your personal learning goals.
Whatever your motivation to learn, one of these premium Japanese language books will help you get there.
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