Starting to learn Japanese? Begin with Hiragana and Katakana, the foundation of the Japanese writing system.
MLC Japanese Language School offers free email lessons to help you master both scripts quickly and effectively.
This page introduces practical study tips, recommended textbooks, and free resources that make your first learning experience easy and enjoyable.

 

How to Start Learning Japanese: Step-by-Step Guide for Absolute Beginners

New to Japanese? This guide shows you how to start learning Japanese effectively. Begin with free Hiragana and Katakana lessons, choose the right textbook, and use MLC's free study materials to build a strong foundation quickly.

Master Hiragana and Katakana First (Free Email Lessons)

Hiragana and Katakana are the foundation of Japanese writing. Our free email courses help you master Hiragana in 13-25 days and Katakana in 6-11 weeks. Just enter your email to receive downloadable materials and quizzes.

Why Learn Hiragana First?
Learning Hiragana first is recommended because it’s the foundation of Japanese reading and writing. Hiragana allows you to read native Japanese words, understand grammar patterns, and pronounce words accurately. Mastering Hiragana early makes it much easier to use textbooks, access learning resources, and move forward in Japanese study with confidence.

Free E-mail lessons
★Master Hiragana in a 13/25 day course!
★Master Katakana in a 6/11/21 week course!
We are offering free lessons to master Hiragana and Katakana. We will send you links to the learning material via email in 8 lots. Once you have downloaded the learning material, follow the instructions and take the quizzes to master Hiragana and Katakana!
Simply, just choose the course of your preference and enter your email address!
Get your free Hiragana course here →　https://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/hiragana_katakana.html

What are Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji?
Hiragana:
A phonetic syllabary. Used for words of Japanese origin.
For example particles, nouns, (part of) verbs, (part of) adjectives, and (part of) adverbs.

Katakana:
(1) for words of foreign origin
(2) for onomatopoeia e.g. ワンワン(wanwan) = bowwow
(3) for the names of some animals and insects
(4) for the emphasis of some words e.g. それはダメです。(Sore wa dame desu.) = That is NO GOOD.

Kanji:
Chinese characters used for the words of both Chinese and Japanese origin.
Most of Kanji have two or more readings.

Master Basic Kanji 120: Free e-mail lesson and Free download
→ https://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/basic_kanji_120.html

Tips

1) At first, learn Hiragana (Learn Katakana later)

2) Memorize 48 Hiragana characters roughly
* Do not have to be perfect but remember 48 characters over all.
* Do not spend too long to cover 48 characters, but memorize in one or two weeks.

3) Use Hiragana in writing. Keep writing short simple sentences.
* Reading practice is good, but writing is more effective.
* If you can write, you can read.

 

Recommended Textbooks for Beginners

We recommend "Japanese For Busy People 1" (Kana or Romanized version) for busy beginners. These books teach practical Japanese with Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji. See our Amazon Japan links for easy purchase.
→ https://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/recommended_books.html

 

Free Japanese Study Materials from MLC

Access tons of free resources on our website, including Basic Kanji 120 lessons, survival phrases, and JLPT N5 materials. Download PDFs and start practicing immediately without cost.
→ https://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/

Take MLC Lessons for Guided Support

Ready for personalized help? Join MLC's beginner lessons in Tokyo or online. Our teachers support your Japanese learning from zero with custom plans and free trial lessons. Contact us today.

→ Contact Us

Updated Jan 2026