Phase 0 — Foundations (2–4 weeks)
Writing systems
- Learn hiragana to full recognition (3–7 days, use any drill tool, brute force it) (✅ 2026-03-28 20:10)
- Learn katakana to full recognition (3–7 days) (✅ 2026-03-28 20:10)
- Do NOT spend time on stroke order yet — pure recognition first (✅ 2026-03-28 20:10)
Tooling setup
- Install Anki, configure FSRS algorithm (read the Anki manual basics) (✅ 2026-03-28 21:33)
- Install Yomitan browser extension + set up with JMdict/JMnedict dictionaries (❌ 2026-03-28 21:34)
- Link Yomitan → Anki (one-click card creation) (❌ 2026-03-28 21:34)
- Download Kaishi 1.5k deck (current consensus best beginner deck) (✅ 2026-03-28 21:34)
- Optionally: add Usagichan Kanji Phonetics deck alongside Kaishi (✅ 2026-03-28 21:35)
Grammar baseline (do this fast, 1 week max, don’t obsess)
- Read Tae Kim’s Grammar Guide or Yokubi — skim for mental map, not memorization
- Understand: particles (は、が、を、に、で、の), verb conjugations (て-form, た-form, ます/ます forms), basic sentence structure (SOV)
Phase 1 — Core Vocabulary + Early Immersion (3–6 months)
Kaishi 1.5k
- Complete all 1,500 cards in Kaishi deck (target: ~10 new cards/day)
- Kanji knowledge: ~100 kanji (N5 range) by end of this phase
Immersion — start immediately after katakana
- Find 1–2 easy, enjoyable JP content sources (anime with JP subs, graded readers)
- Use Yomitan to look up unknown words while reading/watching
- Start a mining deck — create your own Anki cards from words you encounter in content
- Aim for 30–60 min daily immersion (pure, not study)
Grammar — deepen gradually
- Work through Cure Dolly’s Organic Japanese YouTube series (structural understanding, not rote)
- Or: use Bunpro (web SRS for grammar) for N5→N4 grammar points
- Target: N5 grammar fully internalized, N4 grammar partially
JLPT target: N5
- 100 kanji, ~800 vocabulary words
- Take practice N5 tests when comfortable; take the actual exam optionally
Phase 2 — Intermediate Immersion + Mining (6–18 months)
Vocabulary
- Continue mining deck daily — 10–20 new cards/day
- Reach ~3,000–4,000 known words (N4→N3 range)
- Kanji: ~300–650 kanji (N4→N3)
Grammar
- Finish Bunpro N4, then N3 grammar
- Use Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar (Makino & Tsutsui) as reference — look up grammar patterns you encounter, don’t study linearly
- Begin encountering and recognizing N3 patterns naturally in immersion
Immersion — increase volume and difficulty
- Transition from learner content → native content (slice-of-life anime, simple manga like よつばと!)
- Add reading: graded readers (tadoku), then manga
- Target 1–2 hrs daily immersion
- Begin shadowing for pronunciation/listening — pick native audio and repeat
- Optionally start output: HelloTalk, iTalki, or language exchange partner
JLPT N4 & N3
- N4: 300 kanji, 1,500 vocab → take exam
- N3: 650 kanji, 3,750 vocab → take exam
- Use Nihongo So-Matome workbooks or TRY! JLPT series for exam-specific practice in final 4–8 weeks before each exam
Phase 3 — Upper Intermediate (18 months – 3 years)
Vocabulary
- Reach ~6,000–8,000 words (N2 range)
- Kanji: ~1,000 (N2)
- Switch Anki to mostly J-J definitions (Japanese dictionary → Japanese) — builds native mental associations
- Use 大辞林 or 新明解 (J-J dictionaries) in Yomitan
Grammar
- Complete Shin Kanzen Master N2 Grammar (exam-focused, rigorous)
- Read through Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
- Bunpro N2 grammar points
Immersion
- Native content without subtitles: podcasts, YouTube, variety shows, news (NHK)
- Reading: light novels, news articles (NHK Web Easy → NHK regular)
- 2+ hrs daily immersion, mixing listening and reading
- Active output: write in Japanese and get corrections (iTalki, language partner, HiNative)
JLPT N2
- 1,000 kanji, 6,000 vocab
- Shin Kanzen Master series (Grammar + Reading + Vocabulary books)
- Practice exams monthly in final 2 months
- Pass N2 — this is the professional benchmark
Phase 4 — Advanced / N1 (3–5+ years total)
Vocabulary
- Reach ~10,000 words
- Kanji: 2,000+ (full joyo set + some jinmeiyo)
- Mine from: newspapers, novels, academic articles, editorials
Grammar
- Shin Kanzen Master N1 Grammar — 400+ grammar points, focus on nuance between similar patterns
- Study formal/written-register grammar (e.g., をもって, にほかならない, いかんにかかわらず)
- Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar
Immersion
- Read: novels (general fiction, non-fiction), newspapers (朝日新聞, 読売), academic writing, opinion pieces
- Listen: unscripted interviews, debates, lectures, political discussions
- Watch: non-subtitled dramas, documentaries, talk shows
- Exposure across diverse domains — N1 tests abstract/literary/editorial comprehension across ALL topic areas
JLPT N1 exam prep (final ~3 months)
- Do full mock exams (full-length, timed) every 2 weeks, then weekly in final month
- Study test structure deeply — question types, traps, time management (many fail not from knowledge gaps but from test-taking mistakes)
- Focus weak areas: N1 reading is time-heavy, practice pacing
- N1 listening: practice on lectures, formal debates at natural speed
- Pass N1 (~30% pass rate)
Kanji count checkpoints
| Level | Kanji | Vocab |
|---|---|---|
| N5 | 100 | 800 |
| N4 | 300 | 1,500 |
| N3 | 650 | 3,750 |
| N2 | 1,000 | 6,000 |
| N1 | 2,000 | 10,000 |
Time estimates (2–3 hrs/day)
The JLPT itself estimates ~900 total hours; a Tokyo language school measured full-time students needing 3,000–4,800 hours for N1 from zero. Practically: N5→N3 ≈ 1–1.5 years, N2 ≈ 2–3 years, N1 ≈ 3–5 years total.
Key tools summary
- Anki + FSRS — SRS core
- Yomitan — pop-up dictionary, mines to Anki
- Kaishi 1.5k — starter deck
- Bunpro — grammar SRS
- Shin Kanzen Master — N2/N1 exam books (best series for upper levels)
- Cure Dolly / Tae Kim — grammar conceptual foundation
- iTalki — output practice with natives
- NHK Web Easy → NHK regular — reading progression