How to Learn Japanese Through Anime Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Anime can make Japanese feel alive in a way that a textbook often cannot. You hear emotion, rhythm, hesitation, humor, and the small expressions people use to react to one another. But simply watching episode after episode is not the same as…
When to Start Learning Kanji (and Why Sooner Is Better)
Two ways to learn kanji early, and how it makes the rest of your Japanese study easier. Hi, I’m Fumito Emi, and today I want to answer a question that I get asked a lot: when should you start learning kanji? I touched on this topic a few times in other…
How to Construct a Japanese Sentence
Basic Japanese sentence structure in 8 levels, starting from one word. In this post, we are going to build a Japanese sentence step by step, using one very simple word: 寒い (samui), “cold”. We start with one word and finish with a long,…
What books to buy if you wanna learn japanese language 📚
Japanese Learning Books I Own: Ranked Honestly (Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening & Kanji) Hey guys, it’s Fumito Emi! In this post, I will show you all my Japanese language learning books. Some books didn’t really help me a lot, and some…
4 Ways to Stay Motivated When Learning Japanese by Fumito Emi
Hi everyone, Fumito here! Welcome back to reading-japanese.com. Do you have trouble staying motivated to learn Japanese? If so, you are not alone — this is, without question, the number one thing learners message me about. Not grammar, not kanji.…
10 Habits of Highly Effective Japanese Learners
Hi everyone, Fumito here! Welcome back to reading-japanese.com. Today I want to talk about something a little different from grammar or vocabulary — I want to talk about you, the learner, and the habits that separate people who actually reach their…
Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 Grammar Review: Is New Full Master Grammar Worth It?
Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 grammar review of New Full Master Grammar. See its features, strengths, limitations, specs, and who should use it. If you are preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 and want a book focused…
JLPT N5 Exam Pattern Explained: Sections, Timing, Scoring & What to Expect in 2026
So you have decided to take the JLPT N5. Good. This is the right move. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 (JLPT N5) is the entry-level certification in the world’s most widely recognized Japanese language exam system. It prove that you can…
Learn Kumihimo on the Marudai: My Honest Review of “Japanese Braiding” by Jacqui Carey
I will confess something first. I am tutor of Japanese language, not tutor of Japanese crafts. So why Fumito is writing about braiding cord on a wooden stand? Because my student, lovely lady from Ontario studying for JLPT N4, sent me photo of her marudai…
All-in-One Japanese for Beginners Review: Is This 5-in-1 Book Really Worth Your Money?
Hello everyone, Fumito here again from reading-japanese.com 🙋♂️ Many of my student ask me same question this month: “Fumito-sensei, I saw this book on Amazon call All-in-One Japanese for Beginners, is it really 3 workbooks and 2 textbooks in one?…