As we’ve said before, Japanese isn’t actually as hard to learn as it’s often made out to be. Unlike English, for example, Japanese follows its own grammatical rules far more rigidly, pronunciation is easy because there is only one variant of each vowel sound to choose from (none of this tomayto/tomahto business), and it’s possible to create entire, perfectly meaningful and valid sentences without uttering a single pronoun or bothering to conjugate a verb.
Nevertheless, the language will not magically seep into you through a desire to speak it alone — you still need to encounter and study it as often as possible. With that in mind, we’d like to present to you the six and a half resources that no dedicated student of the Japanese language should ever be without. Oh, and the good news is some of them are completely free.

Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Japanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Specialist French fry stand “And the Friet” opening today in Tokyo
Notes from the Evangelion payroll department – How much does Shinji earn?
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Star Wars becomes a kabuki play as we attend Kairennosuke and the Three Shining Swords in Tokyo
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Specialist French fry stand “And the Friet” opening today in Tokyo
Notes from the Evangelion payroll department – How much does Shinji earn?
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Star Wars becomes a kabuki play as we attend Kairennosuke and the Three Shining Swords in Tokyo
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Mister Donut adds hot dog doughnuts to its menu in Japan…but are they any good?
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Need a taste of spring before the cherry blossoms? Try this Osaka park with over 500,000 flowers
Burger King Japan launches King Fusion, and the possibilities are endless (and delicious)
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Criminals of Japan’s Edo Period Were Often Punished by Getting Face Tattoos
You COULD eat a terrifying octopus egg in Japan, but SHOULD you? Let’s find out!【Taste test】