The Best Way To Learn Japanese

Searching for the best way to learn Japanese? 

Advice on learning Japanese is all over the internet. There’s a seemingly endless variety of ways to learn Japanese, from courses, to books to bingeing animé. 

So what’s a Japanese learner to do? Is there really a best way to learn Japanese? 

In this post, I’ll show you how to learn Japanese in a fun and effective way that helps you get fluent in Japanese fast. 

Here’s what you’ll discover in this post.  

How Not To Learn Japanese 

Have you tried and failed to learn Japanese (or any language) in the past? It’s not your fault. The reason you’ve failed is due to something called the Parrot Problem. 

The Parrot Problem of language learning means you use a “repeat after me” style of teaching that focuses on rote memorisation of word lists and grammar rules. 

It’s the method that you probably remember from school. Unfortunately, many so-called “modern” Japanese apps or language courses also suffer from the Parrot Problem. That’s why they fail to get you fluent. 

This “repeat after me like a parrot” approach means that you put Japanese words in your short-term memory. But you’re not able to remember them for the long haul. 

So when it’s time to chat to Japanese people on the street in Tokyo, you struggle to understand and speak Japanese. After all, Parrots just learn to repeat, not to understand and use a language on a deeper level. 

What Is The Best Way To Learn Japanese? 

The best way to learn Japanese online is through a method where you see and hear Japanese words and grammar in action, so you can learn the language naturally.  

With StoryLearning®, you can learn Japanese quickly — through stories, not rules.

In this fresh approach to language learning, your main focus is on reading stories. As you read, you learn Japanese.

This is a natural way of developing fluency that helps you think in the language. In fact, it’s how children learn their native languages.

Stories are so much more effective than Parrot methods because they activate parts of your brain that aren’t engaged in fact-based learning

Learning with stories mixes rational information with experiential parts of the brain, forming neural connections. When repeated, neural connections are strengthened. Stronger neural connections result in longer-term memory. So you learn Japanese on a deep level. 

And of course, stories are enjoyable. When you learn through a story, you can't wait to find out what happens next. Your brain also remembers more vocabulary from a story, because you’re motivated to understand what you’re reading

Thanks to this immersion in a story, Japanese will start to make sense to you naturally, without rote memorisation. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese Online

The best way to learn Japanese online is with my popular Japanese Uncovered courses, which teach you the language through the power of story. 

Japanese Uncovered is available at all levels from total beginner to advanced and will help you learn Japanese for life. 

The StoryLearning method combines all of the benefits of online learning—like flexibility, modern engaging materials, and different types of media—with a fun and motivating method that's helped thousands of Japanese learners get fluent. 

If other Japanese courses or apps have failed to help you learn Japanese, Japanese Uncovered will finally get you fluent.

Best Way To Learn Japanese Fast

Getting fluent in Japanese is a marathon, not a sprint. Despite some of the promises of fast fluency you see online, learning Japanese means showing up regularly over weeks and months. 

When you learn Japanese for the long haul like this, it can be hard to stay motivated. What has always helped me learn languages quickly (including Japanese) is support and accountability. Regular sessions with teachers have always been a big part of my language learning. 

That’s why I created StoryLearning VIP – the highest level of learning support we offer and your fastest ticket to fluency in Japanese.

StoryLearning VIP helps you learn faster by pairing you with a professional, native-speaker Japanese coach to help you practise your way to fluency. Every week for 10 weeks you’ll have 2 private sessions with your coach.

In addition to the coaching sessions, you’ll get access to Japanese Uncovered. Over 10 weeks, you’ll work through the entire curriculum together with your coach.

As you can imagine, this programme is effective, but also requires a high level of commitment on your part. But StoryLearning VIP works because it gives you the complete structure you need to succeed in Japanese. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese For Travel

What if you don’t want to get fluent but just need enough Japanese for your next trip to Tokyo? 

The best way to learn Japanese for travel is to prepare for the types of situations you’ll encounter in Japan, from ordering sushi or saké to checking into a hotel.  

By focusing on the in-country situations you’ll likely find yourself in, you learn fast without getting bogged down in grammar or irrelevant words and phrases.  

If you’d like to learn Japanese for travel, check out my blog post on this very topic that will teach you Japanese travel phrases. 

Thanks to the blog post, you’ll learn 83 Japanese travel phrases that will help you survive on your trip including arriving at the airport, taking a taxi, heading to your hotel, eating out and more. 

This down-to-earth way of learning Japanese for travel is the best way to be able to speak Japanese when you’re next in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto or any other of the amazing destinations Japan has to offer. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese While Driving

Would you like to use your drive to work (and back!) to learn Japanese? Learning Japanese while driving is the perfect way to make the most of your commute. 

But what is the best way to learn Japanese while driving? 

Obviously, I want you to drive safely, so I’m not going to suggest anything that will distract you from the road like watching videos. 

The best way to learn Japanese while driving is to listen to a Japanese audio course or podcasts in Japanese. By listening to lots of Japanese while driving, you’ll learn Japanese naturally. 

For beginners in Japanese, you can get to grips with the basics thanks to the Michel Thomas Japanese audio course. 

If you’re an Intermediate Japanese learner, I’ve created substantial listening material that’s at just the right level for you. 

It’s called Japanese Conversations and it will help you understand real Japanese (not the beginner, textbook kind) thanks to an exciting 20-part story. 

If you have an advanced level in Japanese then it’s time to forget about listening material designed for learners and listen to native-level Japanese podcasts about whatever topics you’re interested in. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese On Your Own

Here’s what I believe about language learning – languages can’t be taught, only learnt. Becoming fluent in Japanese is more about your self-directed learning than what you’re taught in a classroom. 

That’s why I'm a big supporter of independent language learning. It’s so powerful it enabled me to learn eight languages and start StoryLearning!

But how can you get started learning Japanese on your own when there are so many different tools and methods?

For successful, self-directed Japanese learning, I can wholeheartedly recommend my Japanese Uncovered courses. 

Japanese Uncovered is a self-study course that will guide any self-directed Japanese learner to fluency. 

Japanese Uncovered includes everything you need to improve your Japanese and helpful advice on how to learn Japanese on your own. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese Fluently

Is Japanese fluency your goal? 

It has been many years since I lived in Japan and taught English there. But I still remember my Japanese because I learned to speak it fluently (in my book, that’s at least B2 level).

But what is the best way to learn Japanese fluently so that you learn it for life? 

To get fluent in Japanese you need a solid method for learning the language and the dedication to show up to learn every day. 

But what happens if life gets busy, or you lose motivation? 

Accountability has always been key for me when learning languages. As I mentioned, teachers and tutors have helped me stay on track so I could hit my language learning goals. 

If learning Japanese fluently matters to you, don’t do it alone. I've created a programme that offers all the support you'll need.

StoryLearning VIP is a coaching programme with built-in accountability designed to get you fluent, even if you've tried and failed in the past. 

StoryLearning VIP is the ultimate investment in your language goals. 

It’s an intensive programme that includes not just access to Japanese Uncovered, but also the 1-to-1 lessons, coaching and support that will not let you fail.

You’ll learn Japanese fluently with VIP thanks to: 

• 10 Weeks of 1-to-1 coaching
• Hours of 1-to-1 speaking practice
• A personalised learning pathway
• Full accountability & life-changing results

Personalised coaching is the support system you need to learn Japanese for life. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese Kanji 

Learning Japanese kanji can be tough, even for the most dedicated Japanese learner.

One of the reasons Japanese kanji can be so tricky is because of the Parrot Problem.

When you try to learn kanji through rote memorisation, they don’t go into your long-term memory. 

My recommendation is to not consciously memorise Japanese kanji. So what can you do instead? Here’s the best way to learn Japanese kanji. 

Once you’ve grasped the basic concept, by reading about what Japanese kanji are and how they work for instance, follow the rules of StoryLearning and read in Japanese. 

As you read and listen to Japanese books and stories at your level, you learn what the kanji mean and how they’re used in context. Seeing Japanese kanji in action like this means you’ll know how to use them in real-life situations.

Reading stories is the best way to learn Japanese kanji as it not only lets you see the kanji in context, but it’s also much more fun and motivating than trying to learn by heart. 

If you’re wondering where to find Japanese stories at your level, my top recommendation is my short story book, Short Stories in Japanese. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese At Home

Considering starting a new life in Japan to learn Japanese? There’s no need, especially if you’re a beginner in Japanese. 

I did move to Japan to learn Japanese, but I had my head in a textbook at first. I could have learned from a textbook at home! So there’s no need to upend your life by moving abroad. 

And besides, there’s a much better way to learn japanese from home than studying a textbook. 

The best way to learn Japanese at home is to read and listen to short stories in Japanese at your level for an hour every day. This one-hour (or 30 minutes, or 45 minutes) period is your core study time that you need to make time for daily to improve. 

During your core study time, you should focus on immersing yourself in Japanese. You can immerse yourself in different ways. For example, you can read a beginner book, work through a StoryLearning Japanese course, or listen to Japanese podcasts. 

As you immerse yourself in Japanese daily, ideally by reading and listening to Japanese stories at your level, your brain will start to adapt. You’ll get used to the language and the logic of Japanese will begin to click naturally. 

Learning Japanese at home through immersion is much more fun and effective than trying to learn lists of words or grammar rules by heart. 

Best Way To Learn Japanese FAQ 

Ready To Start Your Japanese Learning Journey? 

So there you have it – the best way to learn Japanese is through a story based method. Not by moving to Japan or by memorising word lists, kanji and grammar rules. 

The desire to read and understand a story is at the core of what will motivate you to keep learning Japanese, even on the toughest days. 

StoryLearning is a bit like learning Japanese in reverse. Instead of starting with rote learning of rules, you begin by immersing yourself in a story specially written for learners. 

Thanks to learning through story, you’ll learn Japanese naturally, the same way kids do when they learn their first language. 

Most of all, you’ll enjoy yourself so much that learning Japanese won’t feel like a chore. The story will keep you coming back to find out what happens next. And before you know it, you'll understand and speak Japanese. 

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.