How to Learn Hiragana and Katakana

We suggest you start learning Hiragana first, then Katakana, and then Kanji.

If you learn Hiragana first, it will be easier to learn Katakana next. Hiragana will help you:
- Learn Japanese pronunciation properly
- Read beginners' textbooks
- Write sentences in Japanese

Why Hiragana First?
Learning Hiragana first makes Katakana much easier and faster to learn.

Katakana helps you:
- Read Japanese menus at restaurants
- Understand foreign words used in daily life

Tips:
- Learn all characters as quickly as possible
- Review by reading actual Japanese textbooks/materials
- Writing practice is most effective (if you can write → you can read)

Learning both Hiragana and Katakana will greatly support your Japanese study and help you live more comfortably in Japan!

Master Hiragana and Katakana Free E-mail lesson

Master Hiragana in just 13 days (or 25 days for beginners)!

We send you free learning materials via email in 8 lessons:
-Hiragana: 46 basic sounds across 8 lessons
- Practice quizzes after each lesson
- Links to audio pronunciation

Simple registration:Choose your course and enter email address.

Missed an email? Get contents here:Hiragana mail contents

 

Master Katakana in just 6 days (or 11 days,or 21 days)!

All courses include:
- 8 email lessons with quizzes
- Audio pronunciation guides

 

6 Days (Fast Track)
For motivated learners who want rapid progress

11 Days (Recommended)
Perfect balance of speed and retention

21 Days (Beginner-Friendly)
Extra practice for complete confidence

Missed an email? Get contents here:Katakana mail contents

 

Free Hiragana & Katakana Worksheet Downloads (PDF)

Self-paced Learning - Download Everything at Once
- Complete package for independent study
- No email waiting - instant access to all materials
- Study at your own speed (no fixed schedule)

• Hiragana and Katakana Worksheets - Download all at once
• Hiragana and Katakana Worksheets - Answer

 

Practice with Audio - Perfect Pronunciation Guide

Listen, repeat, master Japanese sounds:

• a, i, u, e, o, ka, ki, ku, ke, ko
• sa, shi, su, se, so, ta, chi, tsu, te, to
• na, ni, nu, ne, no, ha, hi, fu, he, ho
• ma, mi, mu, me, mo, ya, yu, yo
• ra, ri, ru, re, ro, wa, o, n/m
• ga, gi, gu, ge, go, za, ji, zu, ze, zo, da, ji, zu, de, do, ba, bi, bu, be, bo, pa, pi, pu, pe, po
• kya, kyu, kyo, sha, shu, sho, cha, chu, cho, hya, hyu, hyo, pya, pyu, pyo, rya, ryu, ryo, gya, gyu, gyo, ja, ju, jo, nya, nyu, nyo, bya, byu, byo, mya, myu, myo

Practice Hiragana with Videos

Watch these engaging video lessons to practice Hiragana pronunciation and writing. Perfect for beginners—follow along, repeat sounds, and build confidence fast!

How to write Katakana

Discover simple stroke-by-stroke guides for Katakana characters. These tutorials show proper writing techniques, helping you read foreign words on menus and signs effortlessly. Download the worksheet for hands-on practice!

Featured Video: How to Write シツソン (Shi, Tsu, So, N)

Distinguish and master the tricky シ (shi), ツ (tsu), ソ (so), and ン (n) with this highly-rated tutorial. Clear demos show exact strokes—practice along to avoid common mistakes!

Hiragana Quiz No.1-No.5 | 5-Minute Series

Test your Hiragana knowledge with these quick 5-minute quizzes. Each video covers 5-10 characters—ideal for daily review and retention. Try No.1 now and track your progress!

Katakana Speed Reading Challenge | Master Japanese Words Fast (6 videos)

Boost your Katakana reading speed with these dynamic challenges. Practice real-life loanwords like café, pizza, and tech terms—great for travelers and IT learners. Complete all 6 for fluency!

Katakana Reading Challenge | Japanese IT & Programming Vocabulary

Level up with Katakana used in programming and IT (e.g., アルゴリズム, サーバー). These videos simulate real Japanese tech articles—essential for coders studying in Japan.

Master Katakana Reading | PC & IT Vocabulary [SPEED TEST] (4 videos)

High-speed tests on PC and IT terms in Katakana. Challenge yourself with インターネット, ソフトウェア, and more—perfect for job hunters and tech enthusiasts. Beat your best time!

Hiragana and Katakana Chart (with their original kanji forms)

Advanced Reference Chart: Discover the historical kanji origins of each Hiragana and Katakana character, complete with proper stroke orders. Special focus on distinguishing tricky "し(shi), つ(tsu), そ(so)"—includes expert writing tips to perfect your handwriting!

 

Practice with Quizlet

Click below to access our dedicated Quizlet page with 100% free, mobile-friendly Hiragana practice sets. Features audio pronunciation, stroke order hints, and spaced repetition—perfect for daily review on your phone!

Why Choose Our Quizlet?
- Covers all 46 basic characters + dakuten/handakuten variants (ga, za, da, ba, pa).
- Special focus on tricky combos like し(shi), つ(tsu), そ(so) with identification quizzes.
- Track your progress, compete with friends, and master reading/writing in weeks.
- No app download needed—works instantly in any browser.

→ Hiragana Quiz

→ Katakana Quiz

 

Updated Jan 2026 - JLPT N5 mastery enhanced with:
• しつそん writing tips & stroke order charts
• Interactive Quizlet flashcards
• Featured シスソン video tutorial
• Mobile-optimized layout + worksheets