🇯🇵Japan

Learn Japanese with real humans

Learn Japanese with native teachers from Japan. The world's third-largest economy and the birthplace of anime, manga, Michelin-starred cuisine and kawaii culture, Japan fascinates like few other countries, and interest in the language has never been higher. Japanese uses three writing systems (hiragana, katakana, kanji) and grammatically distinct levels of politeness. Our small-group classes take you from zero to real conversation, breaking down the complexity step by step, without losing you along the way.

Small groupsNative teachersTwice a week

Try for 30 days

★★★★★✓ 30-day money-back guarantee • ✓ No commitment • ✓ Certified native teachers

First words in Japanese

やあ！元気？ (Yaa! Genki?), Hey! How are you?

ha-jee-meh-MASH-teh / yaa, GEN-kee

はじめまして (Hajimemashite), Pleased to meet you

Formal greeting

Did you know? Japanese is one of the rare languages with grammatically distinct levels of politeness, 'keigo' (ultra-formal speech) used in business is almost a language within the language, with its own set of verbs. Japanese speakers also use 'ma' (間), the art of silence and pauses in conversation, as a genuine communicative element. Saying 'no' directly is considered impolite: 'chotto muzukashii' (it's a little difficult) clearly means 'no' in a professional context. Our native teachers have fully mastered these cultural codes, and they pass them on to you.

Small

Class groups

2×

Live classes / week

100%

Native teachers

30d

Money-back guarantee

Live classes

Learn Japanese live with a native teacher

2 live classes per week in small groups. Ask questions, practice conversation, progress fast.

Native teacher in class - Japanese | Targumi

Conversation with a teacher - Japanese | Targumi

classes per week

Small

groups

100%

certified native teachers

Live classes

Your typical Japanese week

2 live video classes per week, Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm (Paris time). Small groups.

Week of

1 – Jun 7, 2026

Mon1

Tue2

Wed3

Thu4

20:00

At the restaurant: ordering

Role-playBeginner

Join class →

Fri5

Sat6

Sun7

Ready to get started?

Try Targumi risk-free for 30 days. Money-back guarantee, no commitment.

Try for 30 days

Risk-free trial · 30-day refund · Small groups of 2-5

The platform

Progress in Japanese between classes, at your own pace

Interactive lessons with native audio, vocabulary, dialogues and quizzes. Everything you need to reinforce your skills between live sessions.

Ready to improve?

Access all interactive exercises and online courses.

Try for 30 days

Risk-free trial · 30-day refund · Small groups of 2-5

The community

Join Targumi's Japanese community

Dedicated WhatsApp group, exchanges between learners, resource sharing. You're never alone in your learning journey.

Join the support group

Free · Lifetime access · Native speakers present

🇲🇦

Japanese School - Community

Anissa

Hi everyone 🙌

4:22 PM

Fatiha

Hey, welcome back!

4:23 PM

I’m not on desktop, is it mobile-friendly too?

4:23 PM

Mrhd

Yes, it works on phone and computer together 📱💻

4:24 PM

Message

The method

Our method for learning Japanese

Step 01

Quick level test

Assess your current knowledge in 5 minutes

Step 02

Structured modules

Progressive learning path with native audio and exercises

Step 03

Interactive live classes

2 sessions per week with your native teacher

Step 04

Level certification

Validate your progress with an official certificate

Why Targumi

What makes us different for Japanese

100+

Available languages

Including rare languages you won't find anywhere else.

Free trial days

Try everything with no commitment. Classes, exercises, community.

3-en-1

Complete platform

Video classes + interactive exercises + WhatsApp community. All included.

24/7

Unlimited access

Learn whenever you want. Exercises and content are available 24/7.

The curriculum

What you'll learn in Japanese

A curriculum designed to get you speaking Japanese in the situations that actually matter to you.

Try for 30 days

01
Hiragana and katakana: master both syllabaries in 3 weeks
02
Kanji: progressive, context-based learning of the 2,136 common characters
03
Japanese politeness levels: teineigo, keigo and casual Japanese
04
Japanese for anime, manga and contemporary pop culture
05
Business Japanese: professional etiquette and formal communication
06
JLPT N5 to N1 preparation: official certification

Start Japanese now

Try free for 30 days, no commitment.

Try for 30 days

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about learning Japanese

How long does it take to learn hiragana and katakana?

The two syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) each have 46 base characters. With 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice, most of our students master hiragana in 1 to 2 weeks and katakana in another 2 to 3 weeks. The method: visual mnemonics (each character paired with a memorable image) plus speed-reading drills to anchor them in long-term memory. After 3 weeks you can actually read Japanese, and even without always understanding the meaning, that is a real victory.

Do I need to learn kanji to speak Japanese?

For speaking, kanji are not essential, you can hold solid conversations using only hiragana and katakana. For reading (menus, signs, social media, manga), kanji quickly become indispensable. JLPT N3 (intermediate) requires about 650 kanji, N2 about 1,000. Our courses introduce kanji progressively, always within real reading contexts, never as abstract lists to memorise.

What is the main difficulty of Japanese for English speakers?

Three real challenges: 1) The three writing systems to learn in parallel (hiragana, katakana, kanji); 2) The SOV word order (Subject-Object-Verb), the verb always comes at the end of the sentence; 3) Grammatical particles (wa, ga, wo, ni, de, to...) with no direct equivalent in English. The good news: Japanese grammar is very regular, pronunciation is simple (five pure vowels), and Japanese people deeply appreciate the efforts of foreigners.

Can I prepare for the JLPT with Targumi?

Yes. The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is the benchmark international certification, ranging from N5 (beginner, 800 words) to N1 (advanced, 10,000 words and kanji). We offer tailored tracks for each level, covering targeted vocabulary, grammar review and full mock exams. N4 or N3 is often required for a work visa or studies in Japan, N2 is typically needed for professional roles in Japanese companies.

Should I learn formal or casual Japanese first?

We always start with teineigo (the desu/masu form), the standard polite level, used with anyone you don't know well, in shops and in neutral situations. It is the safest and most useful level. Casual Japanese will come naturally afterwards. Professional keigo is an advanced stage, essential only if you work in a Japanese company or deal with Japanese clients.

Can anime and manga help me learn Japanese?

Absolutely, and it is the number one motivation for most of our Japanese students. Anime exposes you to natural pronunciation and everyday vocabulary. Our teachers can integrate your favourite series and manga into lessons: breaking down dialogue, the vocabulary used by specific characters, and authentic expressions. One caveat: the Japanese of shōnen anime (Naruto, Dragon Ball) tends to be informal and sometimes overly masculine or aggressive, our teachers help you calibrate what can actually be used in real life.

Can I learn Japanese on my own?

Hiragana, katakana and basic vocabulary can be picked up through self-study. But natural conversation, correct pronunciation and cultural codes (politeness levels, indirect communication) genuinely need a native teacher. Targumi students who moved from an app to our classes consistently report progress three times faster in speaking, thanks to small groups and immediate feedback.

What is the best way to learn Japanese quickly?

The most effective method combines live classes with a native teacher (for speaking and for mastering cultural codes), passive immersion (anime in original Japanese, Japanese podcasts, J-pop music) and regular kanji practice. Targumi offers exactly this format, with two live classes per week in small groups, supported by tailored exercises between sessions.

How much do Japanese courses cost on Targumi?

Targumi offers 3 plans: quarterly, yearly, and lifetime access. All plans include live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons, and the community. See full pricing on the pricing page.

Are the Japanese courses online or in person?

100% online. Live classes happen twice a week in small groups via Google Meet. You can join from anywhere in the world. The mobile and web app stay accessible 24/7 for interactive lessons.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Targumi offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are not satisfied, just email [email protected] for a full refund.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime from your profile (“My subscriptions” section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.

Resources