Japanese with Ren

Where do I start?

Every episode comes with a free bilingual transcript, key expressions, vocabulary, quizzes, and AI conversation practice. Pick the level that fits you best.

๐ŸŒฑNever studied before

You can't read any Japanese yet โ€” and that's totally fine

Japanese has two simple alphabets โ€” hiragana and katakana. Learning to read them takes a week or two, and it makes everything else click into place. Start there, then come back and the episodes will actually make sense.

How to start:

  • 1.Learn hiragana and katakana (about 1โ€“2 weeks). These free guides are a great place to begin: Hiragana ยท Katakana.
  • 2.Come back and start with the Morning Routine episode โ€” keep Furigana ON and Bilingual mode on, and just listen.

When you're ready

Japanese Listening Practice: Real Morning Routine in Japan

A gentle first episode โ€” short, everyday Japanese with furigana and English.

Show me a gentle first episode โ†’
๐Ÿ”ฐJust starting out

You know hiragana & katakana, but not much else yet

You can read hiragana and katakana, and you know a little basic vocabulary. You want to hear what real Japanese sounds like โ€” not textbook Japanese.

How to use this site:

  • โœ“Turn furigana ON โ€” it shows the reading above every kanji
  • โœ“Use Bilingual mode to read the English translation as you listen
  • โœ“Focus on the Key Expressions section โ€” don't try to understand everything
  • โœ“Try the Comprehension Quiz at the end

Recommended first episode

Japanese Listening Practice: Real Morning Routine in Japan

Simple, repetitive daily-life vocabulary at a slow, clear pace. Perfect first episode.

Start here โ†’
๐Ÿ“˜Know some Japanese

You know the basics โ€” now you want to sound more natural

You know common phrases and simple grammar. You can follow basic conversations, but real spoken Japanese still feels fast or unclear. You want to close that gap.

How to use this site:

  • โœ“Try Japanese-only mode first โ€” switch to bilingual when you get stuck
  • โœ“Pay attention to how particles get dropped in casual speech
  • โœ“Study the Feedback Practice section โ€” it shows common mistakes
  • โœ“Use the AI Conversation Prompt to practise speaking after each episode

Recommended first episode

Japanese Listening Practice: Nature Park Walk, Picnic & Evening Routine

Covers particles, grammar patterns, and natural casual speech in context.

Start here โ†’

Not sure which level you are?

Can you read this? โ†’ ใ€ŒไปŠๆ—ฅใฏใ„ใ„ๅคฉๆฐ—ใงใ™ใญใ€‚ใ€
If yes โ€” you're in the second group. If you can sound it out slowly โ€” start with the first. If those characters look like nothing you recognise yet โ€” begin at the very top, with ๐ŸŒฑ Never studied before.

Want to browse all episodes?

โ† Back to all episodes
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ

Ready to start speaking?

Listening practice is a great foundation โ€” but speaking is where it all comes together. Book a 30-minute Zoom conversation lesson with Ren and put your Japanese into practice. ยฅ1,500 ยท Zoom ยท 1-on-1 ยท N5โ€“N3 level

Book a lesson โ†’