Best Online Japanese Language Courses for 2026 (Tested & Reviewed)
Last updated: January 12, 2026
You're probably here because you want to learn Japanese and you're wondering which online course will actually get you there. I get it. The internet is flooded with Japanese courses, and honestly, most of them promise the world but deliver pretty mediocre results. In this guide, I'm going to walk you through the best Japanese online courses available in 2026, what makes each one worth your time (or not), and how to pick the right one based on where you are in your learning journey. I'll be honest about the pros and cons because spending money on the wrong course sucks.
What makes a good Japanese language course
Before we dive into specific courses, let me share what actually matters when you're choosing an online Japanese language program.
- First, you need structured grammar explanations. Japanese grammar works completely differently from English, and you can't just guess your way through particles like wa (は) or ga (が). A good course breaks this down in a way that makes sense.
- Second, you need real practice with the writing systems. You'll be learning hiragana, katakana, and eventually kanji. Some courses treat these as optional extras, which is ridiculous. You can't read Japanese without them.
- Third, the course should give you actual speaking and listening practice. Too many programs focus only on reading and writing, and then learners get shocked when they can't understand native speakers.
- Finally, the best courses adapt to your level. What works for a beginner won't work for someone trying to pass the JLPT N2.
Any good online Japanese classes for beginners
Absolutely. Let me break down the top options for people just starting out.
JapanesePod101
JapanesePod101 has been around forever, and for good reason. It's an audio-based program with thousands of lessons organized by level.
The beginner content here is actually pretty solid. Each lesson focuses on a conversation, breaks down the grammar, and explains cultural context. You'll learn practical phrases like "Konnichiwa" (こんにちは) meaning "hello" and "Arigatou gozaimasu" (ありがとうございます) meaning "thank you very much."
The biggest advantage is the sheer volume of content. You get nearly 1,000 lessons across all levels, plus downloadable PDFs and flashcards. The voice actors speak clearly, which helps when you're training your ear.
The downside? The interface feels dated, and the lessons can be repetitive. Also, they constantly try to upsell you on premium features, which gets annoying.
Best for: Learners who want audio-focused lessons they can do during commutes or workouts.
Rocket Japanese
Rocket Japanese takes a different approach. It's structured like a traditional course with interactive lessons, voice recognition practice, and cultural notes.
What I like about this online course is how it forces you to speak from day one. The voice recognition isn't perfect, but it gives you feedback on your pronunciation. You'll practice saying things like "Watashi wa gakusei desu" () meaning "I am a student" until you get it right.
The course covers all three writing systems systematically. You start with hiragana, katakana, and gradually introduce kanji as you progress. This is way better than courses that treat the writing systems as separate add-ons.
The main complaint I hear is the price. It's a one-time payment of each level around $150, and you can wait for discounts.
Best for: Beginners who want a structured path and don't mind paying level by level.
Pimsleur Japanese
Pimsleur is pure audio learning. Each lesson is 30 minutes of guided conversation practice where you repeat after native speakers and answer questions in Japanese.
This method works surprisingly well for building conversational skills quickly. After the first few lessons, you can introduce yourself, order food, and ask basic questions. The spaced repetition built into each lesson helps things stick.
The problem is that Pimsleur teaches you almost nothing about reading or writing. You'll be able to say "Sumimasen, toire wa doko desu ka?" (すみません、トイレはどこですか？) meaning "Excuse me, where is the bathroom?" but you won't be able to read a bathroom sign.
Best for: Learners focused on speaking and listening who plan to supplement with reading practice elsewhere.
Intermediate and advanced Japanese language courses
Once you're past the basics, you need courses that challenge you with real content and complex grammar.
Marugoto Online Course
Marugoto is created by the Japan Foundation, so it follows Japanese teaching standards used worldwide. The online Japanese version gives you access to video lessons, interactive exercises, and cultural content.
What makes Marugoto different is the emphasis on practical communication. Instead of just memorizing grammar patterns, you learn how to actually use Japanese in real situations like shopping, making appointments, or discussing hobbies.
It's completely free, which is amazing. The trade-off is that the platform can be glitchy, and there's no live instruction or personalized feedback.
Best for: Intermediate learners who want free, structured content from a reputable source.
WaniKani
Okay, WaniKani is technically just for kanji and vocabulary, but it deserves mention because kanji is where most learners hit a wall.
This platform teaches you 2,000+ kanji and 6,000+ vocabulary words using spaced repetition and mnemonics. The mnemonics are often ridiculous (which helps them stick). For example, to remember that 人 means "person," they describe it as looking like someone walking.
The system is addictive. You unlock new levels as you progress, and the reviews come at scientifically optimized intervals. Most learners who stick with it can read Japanese news articles within a year or two.
The subscription costs about $9 per month, or you can pay annually for a discount. The first three levels are free so you can test it out.
Best for: Any learner serious about reading Japanese who needs a systematic approach to kanji.
Italki for Live Lessons
Italki connects you with native Japanese tutors for one-on-one lessons over video chat. This is where online learning really shines because you get personalized instruction at a fraction of the cost of local tutors.
You can find tutors charging anywhere from $10 to $60 per hour, depending on their experience and qualifications. I recommend trying lessons with three or four different tutors before committing to one. Teaching styles vary wildly.
The best tutors will customize lessons to your goals. Want to prepare for a business trip to Tokyo? They'll teach you business Japanese. Trying to understand anime without subtitles? They'll focus on casual speech patterns and slang.
The challenge is that you need to be proactive. Tutors won't necessarily give you homework or track your progress unless you ask. This works great for self-motivated learners but can feel directionless for others.
Best for: Learners at any level who want personalized instruction and conversation practice.
What class to take based on your Japanese language goals and needs
Here's how I'd choose based on common goals:
Goal: Conversational fluency for travel Start with Pimsleur for speaking practice, then add JapanesePod101 for broader vocabulary. Book weekly italki lessons once you finish Pimsleur's first level.
Goal: Reading manga and light novels Focus on WaniKani for kanji alongside a grammar resource like Bunpro. Once you know about 500 kanji, start reading with a dictionary app.
Goal: Passing the JLPT Use Marugoto or a textbook series like Genki for structured learning. Add Bunpro for grammar drills and WaniKani for kanji. Take practice tests regularly.
Goal: Business Japanese Get the basics down with any beginner course, then switch to italki with a tutor who specializes in business Japanese. Practice keigo () extensively.
Goal: Understanding anime and Japanese media Combine any structured course with massive amounts of listening practice. JapanesePod101 works well here because the dialogues use natural speech patterns.
The real key to learn Japanese online
Here's what I've learned after years of studying Japanese and helping others do the same: the course matters less than you think.
What matters is showing up every day, even when it's hard. What matters is practicing output (Speaking and writing), even when you make mistakes. What matters is engaging with content you actually enjoy, even if it's above your level.
The best online Japanese language course is the one you'll actually use consistently. A mediocre course you complete beats a perfect course you abandon after two weeks.
Pick something from this list based on your budget and learning style, commit to it for at least three months, and supplement with real content as soon as possible. You'll be surprised how quickly you progress.
Anyway, if you want to accelerate your learning with real Japanese content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words instantly while watching shows or reading articles. Makes immersion way more practical than pausing every five seconds to check a dictionary. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.
FAQs
It's about finding the one Japanese course...
For absolute beginners, it's definitely easier to find the one systematic Japanese online course and stick to it instead of handling several at once. Honestly, if you are not a linguist and not a skilled language learner, you're probably at a loss for what you actually need to learn for a new language. No matter which course you choose in the end, pair it with media consumption, and you can boost your efficiency greatly!
If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. Period.
Learning the first foreign language is hard, while the second one will be easier!