The Japanese culture is an exquisite one that has become a part of the international culture and is celebrated worldwide.
The Japanese have delicious cuisine, divine clothing, fantastic festivals, and animated movies known as ‘Anime .’Apart from having a rich, unconventional heritage, Japan also has the second-largest economy in the world.
The Japanese people are constantly innovating and have broken all boundaries in technology and science. So naturally, business opportunities in Japan are vast.
Therefore, if you want to learn a foreign language that will benefit you in the near future, ‘Japanese’ should be the one to opt for as it opens the doors to various opportunities. Knowing Japanese will help you gain insight into contemporary Japanese movies; ‘anime,’ ‘manga,’ and so much many things that are extremely popular these days.
Learning Japanese is simple too! The Japanese have uncomplicated grammar with only five vowel sounds phonetically consistent with the spelling. In addition, Japanese nouns do not have genders or plural forms.
They also don’t have additional articles that you need to remember. All in all, given the proper guidance, you can easily learn Japanese in no time at all.
There are numerous Japanese language courses available on the internet, and finding the one best course to learn Japanese can be exhausting. This article will lift your burden by providing you with a list of the very best Japanese language programs to make you a fluent Japanese speaker.
Best Japanese Language Training For You
- Japanese Course for Absolute Beginners [by Udemy]
- Learn Japanese for Beginners: The Ultimate 100-Lesson Course [by Udemy]
- Online Japanese Beginner Course (All 12 Lessons) [by Udemy]
- Online Japanese N2 Course (All 10 Lessons) [by Udemy]
- Online Japanese N3 Course (All 10 Lessons) [by Udemy]
- Online Japanese N4 Course (All 15 Lessons) [by Udemy]
- Online Japanese N5 Course (All 15 Lessons) [by Udemy]
- Japanese for Beginners 1 [by Coursera]
- Japanese Language classes online [by edX]
- Learn Japanese quickly [by Busuu]
- Online Japanese Language lessons for free [by Duolingo]
11 Best Japanese Language Courses Online
1. Japanese Course for Absolute Beginners [by Udemy]
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Enrolled | 35,057 students |
| Duration | 6.5 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | Felicity Corp |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Prerequisites | Interest in learning the Japanese language |
| Cons | An elementary course that teaches you the basics only. |
Distinct from the traditional teaching methods, this is one of the top Japanese language classes online that enables you to master Japanese pronunciations. In addition, it teaches you to write each Japanese letter and provides you with various features like English-based instructions and self-practice sessions.
Learning Outcomes
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Japanese alphabets, that is, the hiragana and katakana systems.
- Developing a strong foundation to start learning the Japanese language.
- Mastering the phrases that are most commonly used in Japanese greetings.
- Understanding the Japanese writing system completely.
- Mastering the pronunciation and intonation system in Japanese.
- Acquiring vast knowledge on Japan in general through information on Japanese culture and their day-to-day lives.
Who should take this course?
Students looking for ‘best Japanese language classes online’ who take an active interest in Japan and thereby in the Japanese language can opt for this Japanese language course.
An absolute beginner who needs to learn Japanese to conduct business can also take this course.
These Japanese language lessons are also good for learners who want to revise hiragana and katakana systems to consolidate their Japanese foundational knowledge.
Review Maisura.
This is an amazing course! I am enjoying learning Japanese! Thanks! (:
2. Learn Japanese for Beginners: The Ultimate 100-Lesson Course [by Udemy]
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Enrolled | 23431 students |
| Duration | 8 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | Innovative Language |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Prerequisites | No previous knowledge of Japanese is needed. You will require to install Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the previous lesson notes and transcripts. |
| Cons | This course is not very detailed. |
This is one of the best Japanese language programs that will enable you to speak, write and understand Japanese within 10 minutes! It is the best course to learn Japanese quickly and effortlessly. There are 100 high-quality video lessons, and guidance is provided every step of the way.
What will you learn?
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Hiragana and katana
- Reading and writing simple Japanese phrases.
- Participating in discussions that are being conducted in basic Japanese.
- The accent and pronunciation of native speakers and how to sound like them.
- Understanding and picking up expressions from daily conversations.
Who should take this course?
This course has been made keeping absolute beginners in mind. If you are interested in learning Japanese but wonder where to get started? Then this is one of the best Japanese language programs for you.
Review Denisha S.
I really enjoyed this course as it was very informative and easy to understand.
3. Online Japanese Beginner Course (All 12 Lessons) [by Udemy]
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Enrolled | 23874 students |
| Duration | 5.5 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | Attain Corp. |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Prerequisites | Must understand English and want to study Japanese. |
| Cons | This course is a bit repetitive. |
Are you a beginner looking for the best Japanese language program for yourself? These Japanese language classes online are for beginners who want to dive into the world of learning Japanese.
A PDF textbook is available within the course that you can use to regularly practice writing the hiragana and katakana alphabets.
All the Japanese narrations during the course come with English subtitles so that first-time learners face no difficulty understanding the language.
What will you learn?
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Fluently writing and pronouncing Japanese hiragana and katakana.
- Mastering the voiced and p-sound in Japanese.
- Mastering long vowels, nasal consonants, double consonants, contracted sounds, and accents.
- Simple greetings that are used in day-to-day life.
Is it the best Japanese language program for you?
This is among the best courses to learn Japanese online and is ideal for beginners wanting to learn Japanese for reasons like conducting business or just wanting to understand and speak Japanese to get an insight into the Japanese culture.
Review Janice M.
It really was amazing! This really helped when I had to talk to friends and family in japanese communication. I thank you for the course! 🙂
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4. Online Japanese N2 Course (All 10 Lessons) [by Udemy]
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Enrolled | 14631 students |
| Duration | 11 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | Attain Corp. |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Prerequisites | Must understand English and want to study Japanese. |
| Cons | Some topics covered in this course could be made a bit more interesting and engaging. |
This is one of the few best online Japanese language courses that provide Japanese study material related to the JLPT N2 level.
You can learn grammar and vocabulary and read passages relevant to the JLPT N2 level. The Japanese of N2 level is applied in actual conversations, so this course is fundamental for JLPT preparation and advancing your Japanese communication proficiency.
What will you learn?
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Speaking and understanding advanced level business Japanese
- Being able to read the articles and commentaries on a variety of topics, such as in newspapers and magazines, and decipher their contents.
- Being able to understand Japanese being spoken in everyday conversations.
- Vocabulary, grammar and expressions used in JLPT N2 level.
- Being able to have fluent conversations in Japanese.
Who should take these Japanese language classes online ?
This particular course has been specially made for:
- Beginners who want to take Japanese language lessons.
- Learners who want to study entry-level business Japanese.
- Learners who understand English and want to learn Japanese.
Review Jetaun F.
These are amazing courses. I love the explanations and it’s something that I can go through again and again to make sure that I get it.
5. Online Japanese N3 Course (All 10 Lessons) [by Udemy]
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Enrolled | 18079 students |
| Duration | 10.5 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | Attain Corp. |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Prerequisites | Must understand English and want to study Japanese. |
| Cons | This course is more expensive compared to other available courses. |
These Japanese language classes online provide Japanese study material related to the JLPT N3 level. You can learn grammar and vocabulary and read passages relevant to the JLPT N3 level.
The Japanese of N3 level is applied in real-life conversations, so this course is useful for JLPT preparation and achieving proficiency in spoken Japanese.
What will you learn?
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Interpreting everyday topics, reading marginally complex Japanese sentences.
- Speaking and understanding intermediate-level business Japanese.
- Understanding contents spoken by native Japanese in their natural accent and speed.
- Being able to have simple conversations in Japanese.
- Vocabulary, grammar and expressions used in JLPT N3 level.
Who should take this course?
This is particularly one of the best Japanese language programs specially made for: Beginners wanting to take Japanese language lessons, learners who want to study entry-level business Japanese, learners who understand English and want to learn Japanese.
Review Jeremy H.
Excellent teacher. The video explanations are very helpful in supplementing the vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension in the text.
6. Online Japanese N4 Course (All 15 Lessons) [by Udemy]
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Enrolled | 23547 students |
| Duration | 13.5 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | Attain Corp. |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Prerequisites | Must understand English and want to study Japanese. |
| Cons | This course is making a few topics look more complicated than they actually are. |
This is among the best online Japanese language courses that provide Japanese study material related to the JLPT N4 level. You can learn grammar and vocabulary and read passages relevant to the JLPT N4 level.
The Japanese of N4 level is applied in basic phrases, so this course is helpful for JLPT preparation and achieving proficiency in spoken Japanese.
What will you learn?
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Being able to have beginner-level conversations in Japanese.
- Being able to speak and understand simple words and phrases of honorific expressions.
- Understanding contents said in daily life conversations.
- Understanding easy phrases and sentences spoken in N4 level kanji.
- Vocabulary, grammar, and expressions used in JLPT N4 level.
Who should take this course?
These Japanese language classes online have been specially made for: Beginners wanting to take Japanese language lessons, learners who want to study entry-level business Japanese, learners who understand English and want to learn Japanese.
Review Evi A.
Good course! It is well structured and I will definitely come back to it, when I need to review certain grammar points.
7. Online Japanese N5 Course (All 15 Lessons) [by Udemy]
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Enrolled | 43,968 students |
| Duration | 21 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | Attain Corp. |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Prerequisites | There are no prerequisites for this course. |
| Cons | The quality of sound and speech is not up to the mark. Very few examples were given throughout the course. |
This course provides Japanese study material related to the JLPT N5 level. It is one of the best Japanese language classes online, through which you can learn grammar, vocabulary and read passages that are relevant to the JLPT N5 level.
You can watch the video clips available in this course that use JLPT N5 level Japanese in daily conversations. This is one of the best Japanese language program to help you gain a better understanding of the language and will also improve your proficiency in spoken Japanese.
What will you learn?
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Writing and pronouncing Japanese words.
- Using basic greetings required for everyday life in Japan.
- Having simple conversations in Japanese
- Vocabulary, grammar, and expressions used in JLPT N5 level.
- Understanding hiragana and katakana and reading common phrases and sentences written in N5 level Kanji.
Who should take this course?
These classes have been carefully curated for: Beginners wanting to take Japanese language lessons, learners who want to study entry-level business Japanese, learners who understand English and want to learn Japanese.
Review Thomas F.
It was great for me to review my N5 skills, I wish I have found it before taking N5.
8. Japanese for Beginners 1 [by Coursera]
| Rating | 4.0 |
| Enrolled | 132347 students |
| Duration | 23 hours on-demand video |
| Created by | St. Petersberg State University |
| Instructors | Maria Malashevskya, Yoshiko Arakawa, Inga Ibrakhim, Nadia Hassan Issa |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes (Financial aid available) |
| Level | Beginner Level |
Still searching for Japanese language classes online? This course is definitely among the best Japanese Language programs for people who are willing to understand how the Japanese think and how they view the world.
The course materials of this program have been provided by the teaching staff of the Department of Japan Studies.
What will you learn?
In this online Japanese language course, you will learn about:
- Reading simple texts in Japanese and writing using the hiragana and katakana scripts as well as the kanji characters.
- Understanding basic vocabulary in speech and using it in day-to-day communicative situations.
- How to form your sentences using the given grammar material.
Who should take this course?
This course is definitely among the best, if not the best Japanese language program that has been designed for beginners who want to learn Japanese from the very start.
Students interested in learning Japanese for business purposes or just generally interested in Japanese culture can also opt for this course.
Review BK.
Honestly, i’m really glad that i decided to join this course. It’s really helpful~~ I hope I could join the next course in the near future so I could improve my Japanese skill
Bonus Japanese Courses
1. Japanese Language classes online [by edX]
This platform offers a series of Japanese courses for you to choose from. The good thing about this platform is that the courses are absolutely free (with optional upgrades available).
They have specially curated content for each different topic in the Japanese Language. It is a great source if you want to learn the Japanese Language via the internet. Some courses you might want to explore are:
- Steps in Japanese for Beginners 1 (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3)
- Steps in Japanese for Beginners 2(Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3)
All Japanese language lessons are self-paced so that a newbie can adjust to the speed.
Each part requires about 3-5 hours per week to complete. Through these courses, you will learn everything from introducing yourself in Japanese to expressing your opinions.
These are beginner courses that will help you fully understand the language and use it in your daily conversations.
2. Learn Japanese quickly [by Busuu]
This is an excellent platform with the best Japanese language programs to begin your journey into the world of learning the Japanese Language. Busuu also has mobile applications for android and iOS, so you can access these courses from anywhere and everywhere.
This website is unique because you can create a study plan for yourself depending on your requirements and availability. It is one of the best online Japanese language courses for people who want to learn Japanese for business purposes or basic greetings.
The first introductory lesson in these Japanese language classes online is free, and the others can be purchased at a nominal cost. This is a highly recommended website for people who want to learn Japanese and also like a flexible schedule.
Another fun fact about the courses offered by this website is that you can practice your Japanese by speaking to local Japanese speakers!
Related: Busuu Vs Babbel Language App
3. Online Japanese Language lessons for free [by Duolingo]
Duolingo provides the best Japanese language program for young children. It is a website with mobile application versions (for android and iOS operating systems), and therefore, it is easily accessible.
Duolingo offers the best Japanese language classes online in terms of the learning experience. Fun challenges and game-like features also make your learning interesting.
This platform even offers personalized learning aided by AI to learn at your own pace and capacity. Engaging exercises are also an integral part of the course available on Duolingo.
The best thing about this platform is that the entire course is absolutely free for 14 days. After 14 days, you will have to pay a specific amount to learn Japanese.
You can also curate a study plan that will fit you the best depending on your needs (business, travel, understanding culture, and so on).
You might also be interested in other language courses online like Arabic,Chinese, Hindi, Latin, Spanish, and French.
Conclusion
Listed in this article are the best available Japanese language lessons. All important details that you might require to choose the best Japanese language program for yourself have been provided in this article comprehensively.
However, if you wish to know more about the courses through reviews provided by the people, you can do so by clicking on the annexed link of the websites.
These educative courses that are among the best courses to learn Japanese will be vastly beneficial to your linguistic abilities also if you are aiming to be a professional translator or conducting business in Japanese.
Suppose you are an instructor who wants to teach Japanese language classes online to international students. In that case, you might consider getting in touch with the websites mentioned above through their career portals.
They are always looking to hire new talents to provide their students with a better and distinguished learning experience.
