Are you struggling to find the Best Japanese Learning Textbooks that not only effortlessly teach you the language but also don’t burn a hole in your pocket? Do you wish to learn the essentials of the Japanese language but are struggling to find the right set of books and guides that are thorough and graspable?
Well, you’ve landed in the right place. Through this comprehensive guide, I will help cater to all your Japanese language needs. I will help you build the correct mindset, have the will to learn, and order the right learning guide, you’ll be on your way to decipher this beautiful language!
Why learn Japanese?
You can never have enough reasons to learn a new language. Japanese is fun and equally easy to learn and understand. If you learn Japanese, you make headway towards advancing and boosting your professional career. It can provide you ample opportunities if you are looking to work in multinational firms and corporations across the world. Being the 4th most used language on the internet, there is so much you could explore and unravel in the online space.
Benefits of Learning Japanese
There are many benefits to learning Japanese. On the top of my head, here are a few I can think of that will intrigue you into learning this language:
When you learn a new language, Japanese, in this case, you are likely to learn a whole new culture, history, and customs.
If you learn Japanese, you can use it as a tool to increase your professional and business options.
If you are willing to study in Japan, learning their language will prepare you well and help in your progress.
How to Get Started
Learning Japanese is not as challenging as it seems. To get started with the language, you must have a set goal so that you don’t end up quitting during the initial stages of learning. Focus on various self-study approaches through online classes, accompanied by textbooks and guides. A very unconventional yet great tip is to make Japanese friends online so that it helps you with the communication aspect of the language. Invest in the right textbooks and take the process of learning slow and efficiently.
Top 10 Best Japanese Books
Editor's Rating: 4.6/5
The Genki books, written by Eri Banno, Yoko Ikeda, and Yutaka Ohno, have been around for a while. These are the most popular and elementary books that help in learning Japanese.
This book covers the basics of writing, reading, speaking, and listening to the Japanese language. As a self-studier of the Japanese language, I would personally prefer this book as it covers the entire curriculum.
This book comes with an audio CD for an enhanced learning experience.
What we liked:
It is easy to understand, is well written, and a great option for beginners.
The language is clear, concise, and to the point.
It covers the essential language skills.
The grammar points are explained in the English language.
Has multiple exercises along with clear explanations for all the solutions.
The book is quite engaging and covers the entire JLPT N5 syllabus.
What we didnt like:
- Some of the content is written disorderly.
Editor’s rating: 4.8/ 5
The Japanese from Zero! 1: Proven Techniques to Learn Japanese for Students and Professionals has been authored by George Trombley and Yukari Takenaka. All the grammar terminologies used in this book are up-to-date and revised.
Because of its comprehensive language, it has been widely used in classrooms all across Japan. If you are a beginner and are looking for something that is not only affordable but also an innovative way to learn, you should go for this book.
The material provided in the book is vast, to the point, and articulately put. Each text is coupled with a video that can be easily accessed online.
What we liked:
This book covers the concepts of the hiragana writing system.
An integrated workbook, along with an extensive answer key, is provided.
Covers the various cultural points about Japan.
Each topic or phrase that has been mentioned in the book comes with a clear explanation.
What we didnt like:
- Some phrases mentioned in the book aren’t necessarily required for beginners.
Editor’s rating: 4.6/ 5
If you prefer self-studying, making the correct choice in books is crucial. Published by Three A Network, the Minna No Nihongo, Vol 1 is a widely used book amongst Japanese students.
If you have seriously considered learning the Japanese language, this book will be your companion for a long time. Each chapter has been well-put and written, making it on par with some of the best Japanese learning textbooks.
At the end of each chapter, an exercise is given to help you reinforce the lesson you have just learned.
What we liked:
Get access to video modules for a much better learning experience.
All the chapters are incredibly user-friendly.
Everything is written in Japanese, right from the first page to the last.
It contains a ton of bonus content.
What we didnt like:
- You might need a complimentary translation book for certain phrases and words.
Editor’s rating: 4.4/ 5
Like the title of the book suggests, this textbook is authored especially for people who want to learn the Japanese language but fall short of time. Written by AJALT, it is one of the most popular Japanese textbooks not only in Japan but across the world.
It is a comprehensive guide that contains over 20 different texts, essays, chapters, and more. A teacher’s manual, impressive workbooks, and a CD for audio explanation are some of the bonuses that you enjoy along with the book.
If you want to effectively learn the Japanese language in a short period of time for professional or personal reasons alike, you should definitely go for this book.
What we liked:
Enjoy audio for various dialogues and listening exercises through the CD given along with the book.
The exercises at the end of every few lessons incorporate all the important questions and tasks.
What we didnt like:
- The Kanji part of the book is not as organized and comprehensive as one would like.
Editor’s rating: 4.9/5
A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar has been compiled by Seiichi Makino and Michio Tsutsui. It encapsulates all the essential grammatical knowledge in a dictionary format. All the important grammar rules have been covered along with an in-depth explanation.
This book is great for accompanying other Japanese books. It clears out all the misconceptions when it comes to grammar the language. Along with grammar rules, it also covers grammatical terms and descriptions, which might be useful to you for your day-to-day conversation.
This book can be used as a complimentary book alongside other textbooks. If you even find ambiguity in the interpretation of a text from your study books, you can always reach out to this dictionary for reference.
What we liked:
Example sentences are mentioned with every new work you learn.
Each grammatical usage has been meticulously deconstructed.
A great book to consider purchasing if you are preparing for JLPT exams.
All the example sentences come with translations to solidify grammar usage.
What we didnt like:
- You should preferably learn the basics of the Japanese language before investing in this dictionary.
Editor’s rating: 4.7/ 5
This Basic Kanji Book, Volume 1 has been authored by Chieko Kano, Yuri Shimizu, Hiroko Yabe, and Eriko Ishii. It has more than 200 Kanji covered in it under various sections and categories.
What made this book incredibly helpful for me was that after every few chapters, different exercises were given that helped me test my knowledge of Kanji. Along with Kanji, it also covers topics pertaining to word formation, grammar rules, vocabulary usage, and more.
This book is not only clear and concise, it covers all the fundamentals of Kanji in a very effective, logical, and fun manner. Kanji, in general, is hard to learn in a very short time, but this book helps in a great way.
What we liked:
Easy to understand language has been used.
To avoid ambiguity, no complex structures have been followed.
What we didnt like:
- In some chapters, many vague and rarely used words have been included.
Editor’s rating: 4.5/5
This book contains a compilation of 2000 most commonly used words in the Japanese language. If you are struggling to learn the language through difficult and complex study modules available, this book is for you.
Written by Lingo Mastery, this book contains many tips and tricks that will help you to understand the fundamentals of the Japanese language.
I use it as a reference book to clear out any grammar-related doubts I may come across. The way this book has been articulated, it makes the whole learning experience not just easy but also fun!
What we liked:
Each word comes with an example sentence both in the Japanese language and the English language.
A conclusion has been mentioned to summarise and test your knowledge.
What we didnt like:
- Only recommended for beginners.
Editor’s rating: 4.6/5
To cater to your interest in the Japanese language, Masatoshi Yoshida and Yoshikatsu Nakamura have written this Japanese dictionary that meets all your needs. It is used as a practical guide to clear all the language-related doubts.
The page design is highly functional. A detailed explanation has been provided for each Japanese word. Example sentences are also mentioned to make the learning easier.
What we liked:
It helps English speaking users of different levels and professions master the Japanese language.
It covers around 30,000 most frequently used English and Japanese words.
Usage differences, along with semantics, have been mentioned for both the languages.
What we didnt like:
- The furigana text is minute and difficult to read.
Editor’s rating: 4/5
The Japanese: The Spoken Language, Part 1 is written by Eleanor Harz Jorden and Mari Nodi. It covers the modern and current usage of the Japanese language through easy modules and texts.
For its simplicity and comprehensiveness, it is used as a reference book in many classrooms across Japan and Japanese language teaching institutes.
If you have started learning the elementary Japanese course, this book will be extremely helpful to you and guide you in many ways.
What we liked:
Audio and video material are available to simplify the process of learning.
This book focuses on Japanese grammar in a very extensive yet easy manner.
What we didnt like:
The use of Romaji could be improved.
Might be difficult to grasp by self-taught beginners.
Editor’s rating: 4.6/5
Mr. Tae K Kim, the author of this book, has written this book with the sole purpose of encouraging people to learn the Japanese language without easily giving up.
It breaks down all the vital grammatical concepts in a fun yet engaging manner. When you finish with the book, you’ll be capable enough to decipher both easy and complex Japanese sentences.
Learn casual speech patterns and slangs that will help improve your way of communication.
What we liked:
Very reasonably priced.
Grammar points have been mentioned in depth and detail.
What we didnt like:
- Does not have an index.
Best way to learn Japanese
If you are fascinated with the Japanese language, there is a vast range of books out there for you. With such an overwhelming array, it is crucial that you must find the right textbook that serves all your needs. It should cover all the basic tenets of vocabulary, grammar, language structures, pronunciations, listening, and more. It should introduce you to all the essential phrases and expressions you’ll need in your day to day life. Here are some of the best options:
Japanese textbooks for beginners
There is a wealth of Japanese textbooks for beginners. It is important to choose a book that keeps you going. It should keep you intrigued and engaged from the get-go. Easy comprehension of the language is vital and it must be perceivable. It should include grammar explanations, exercises to test your progress, targeted vocabulary words, and must introduce other essential concepts and materials vital to the language.
Intermediate Japanese book
Once you climb your way up and start seeing noticeable growth in your language skills, it is time you switch to Intermediate Japanese books. It is important to pick yourself up and master the challenges that come with the Intermediate learning of the Japanese language. These books will have more complex texts, chapters, and themes. It is important to approach this level of learning so that you do not end up hitting a plateau in your Japanese learning journey.
JLPT
JLPT, also known as the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, is a certified test to evaluate the Japanese language proficiency of the non-native speakers. For students planning to study in a Japanese college, passing these exams is mandatory. Preparing for the JLPT is a great way to enhance the Japanese language and learn it quicker, to support this, various study materials, books, and guides are available. These books instill confidence and help you learn and grasp the language a little better.
Dictionaries
Dictionaries are a powerful reference tool to advance your language. There is a vast pool of Japanese vocabulary that you can discover through dictionaries. Suppose you are learning a new language, a good dictionary can help you in several ways. It will help you understand words that are used in a normal day-to-day conversation. It can help build up your speaking and writing skills. It can also help you to quickly translate words from your native language to the Japanese language, and vice versa.
Kanji books
A set of Chinese symbols representing ideas, characters, and words are used in the Japanese writing system. Each word has multiple meanings in accordance with the context they are used in. A good Kanji book must be capable of correlating the various symbols of the Kanji language, along with their correct meaning and usage. The abstracts should be easy to grasp and fun to learn.
Vocabulary books
Learning Japanese through vocabulary books has proven to be highly effective. They are used as supplements alongside other guides and books. Most of the books are reasonably priced and come along with systemized sections to cater to specific areas of earning. Words under various topics are covered in these books, such as history, law, culture, politics, etc.
Grammar books
For clear communication, correct grammar usage is incredibly important. It is the foundation to give structure to your sentences and language. The grammar structure of the Japanese language is different from any other language and quite difficult to decipher. A good grammar book will make you more aware of the basics and polish your language.
Purchase one of these detailed Japanese learning textbooks and start churning your mental wheels today!