From your first kana to the moment you step into Japan.
A free Japanese learning system you can start from absolute zero. From your first lesson, through game-style JLPT challenges, to a study assistant that keeps analysing your level and weak spots — no traditional account needed.
A free self-study platform covering every JLPT level, N5 to N1, completely free.
Why Nihongo to Japan
A free Japanese learning system you can start from absolute zero. From your first lesson, through game-style JLPT challenges, to a study assistant that keeps analysing your level and weak spots — no traditional account needed.
- True absolute beginner：Lesson one isn't grammar — it's what Japanese writing actually is. You start from the three scripts and hiragana, with no prior knowledge assumed. Start from the kana
- Practice that plays like a game：JLPT N5–N1 question banks where three mistakes end the run. Combo effects, personal bests, and a global leaderboard — drilling shouldn't feel like a chore. Enter the Challenge zone
- An assistant that learns you：Every question you answer anywhere on the site refines your level estimate, draws a five-axis skill radar, ranks your weak spots, and puts the right material in front of you. See how it works
- Free forever, no account to start：No course paywall, no email wall. You never need a name or an email to learn, and your personal learning profile stays on your own device. Why we're free
Listed as a learning resource by 4 universities and libraries
These are public resource guides compiled independently by each institution — not partnerships. Click through to see the original page.
- NKUST, Dept. of Applied Japanese (Taiwan) — Digital Japanese learning resources（University dept.）
- Vanderbilt University Library (USA) — Tadoku Extensive Reading Resources（University library guide）
- University of Minnesota Libraries (USA) — Japanese Studies Advanced Guide — Language Learning（University library guide）
- Green River College Library (Washington, USA) — Free Resources – Languages: Japanese（University library guide）
- 134 interactive lessons, from absolute beginner to N1 grammar
- 10,000+ JLPT N5–N1 vocabulary and grammar questions
- Global real-time leaderboard
- First-hand Japan travel articles and real experiences
Your Japanese study assistant remembers everything you've learned
As you work through lessons, grammar practice and the JLPT question bank on Nihongo to Japan, your study assistant keeps integrating your results — estimating your Japanese level, analysing the vocabulary and grammar you get wrong, and showing your long-term progress. You can start without a traditional account; to continue across devices, a single sync code carries your learning record over.
- Automatically integrates your practice across the site (lessons, grammar, JLPT bank, verb conjugation)
- Estimates your Japanese level from your answers (N5–N1)
- Analyses your grammar, vocabulary and question-type weak spots
- Shows your long-term progress over time
- Cross-device: no traditional account — a sync code carries your record to another device
Free Japanese self-study materials
Study Japanese systematically from zero to N1: hiragana, katakana, N5/N4/N3 grammar and verb conjugation — 134 Interactive Lessons with instant feedback, completely free. (N4–N1 are fully covered by the grammar library and question bank.)
JLPT practice · free question bank
Free JLPT N5, N4, N3, N2 and N1 vocabulary and grammar question banks — 10,000+ questions with instant grading, detailed explanations and a global leaderboard.
Japan travel · real experiences and guides
Travel experiences from Hokkaido, Kyoto, Osaka, Wakayama, Nara and across Japan. Walk into Japan with your Japanese — travel guides, grammar tips and seasonal events, updated regularly.
See the Japan travel map and guidesThinking of studying in Japan? Free ISI Language School consultation
ISI Language School, founded in 1977, has 9 campuses across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagano, with study-abroad, employment and short-term tracks — entry in as little as 2 weeks. Consulting through us is completely free.
Learn about studying in Japan and ISI Language SchoolFrequently Asked Questions
Is this website really completely free?
Yes, completely free. All self-study lessons, JLPT question banks, grammar articles, the Japanese dictionary and travel guides are free with no paywall — you can use everything without even signing up. We keep the lights on through affiliate referrals and ads, and the learning content stays free for learners forever.
Is it suitable for absolute beginners?
Absolutely. You start with hiragana and katakana, then 134 interactive lessons gradually take you up to N1 grammar, with instant feedback and explanations on every question. Just follow the lessons step by step and you'll be making progress, even from zero.
How should I get started?
Start with the kana in Self-Study Materials; once you know hiragana and katakana, move on to N5 grammar. Use the JLPT Challenge to test yourself, and the Japanese Dictionary to look up words. 20–30 focused minutes a day, one lesson at a time, works best.
How many JLPT practice questions are there?
There are 10,000+ vocabulary and grammar questions from N5 to N1 — all free, instantly graded, with detailed explanations, plus a live global leaderboard to compare progress with other learners.
Does it help if I want to travel to or study in Japan?
Yes. We have real travel guides for Hokkaido, Kyoto, Osaka, Wakayama and more, and offer free study-abroad consultation with ISI Language School (currently offered in Traditional Chinese). The whole point of learning Japanese is to actually set foot in Japan.
How often is the content updated?
Grammar articles, travel guides and question banks are updated continuously. We already have 655 grammar explanations, a Japanese dictionary of 216,000+ words, and lots of real travel stories — and it keeps growing.