How to Learn Japanese Language: Guide for Indian Students
So you know how to learn Japanese Language fast? Japanese language is one of 9th most spoken languages in the world. 120+ million people use Japanese language to communicate globally. To live, travel or study in Japan for Indian Students, learning the Japanese language is essential.

More than 120 million people around the world use Japanese as their Native language. Indian citizens should learn Japanese language if they want to visit, live or study in Japan. It will give students an advantage in getting selected for admission.
The Japanese government is welcoming international students to study in top universities in Japan. They are offering various benefits, and job opportunities and making easy visa process to attract students globally. Japanese language will help you to avoid the language barrier easily. Wondering how to learn Japanese language? This article will cover essential tips for learning at home, including recommended apps and websites.
- 10 Tips to Learn Japanese Language
- Reasons to Learn Japanese Language
- How to Learn Japanese Language in India?
- How to Learn Japanese Language for Free?
- Best Books to Learn Japanese for Indian Students
- 15 Regular Words in Japanese with Meaning
10 Tips to Learn Japanese Language
For those serious about mastering the language, understanding how to learn Japanese language effectively starts with these tips:
- Start Early and Divide Goals: Set a goal for yourself and divide it into small objectives.
- These will help you to create your basics of the Japanese language.
- 20 minutes daily can help you.
- Learn new Japanese phrases.
- Learn Japanese words daily.
- A guide or teacher helps track progress and correct mistakes.
- Learning things in the native language helps to relate things.
- You can make online friends or join online exchanges, language meetups, or WhatsApp groups.
- Regularly watch japanese news. English and Japanese subtitles will help you.
After following these tips and completing preparation, you'll appear for JLPT exam. It is popularly known as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Reasons to Learn Japanese Language
Here are some top reasons to learn the Japanese language as an Indian student.
- Being multilingual can make your resume more competitive for job market.
- Proficiency in the Japanese language will help you to win scholarships to study in Japan.
- The medium of teaching in most Japanese universities is the Japanese language.
- You can explore Japan-based companies that will give priority to your profile.
- Other than the above benefits, building a global network, making new friends globally, and enjoying anime, manga, movies, & music become easy with basic knowledge of the Japanese language.
How to Learn Japanese Language in India?
Here are some popular coaching institutes in India to learn Japanese:
| Popular Coaching Institutes | About Coachings | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Mosai Institute of Japanese Languages (MIJL) | MIJL Institute has been closely working with the Embassy of Japan in India since 2002. |
Mosai Institute of Japanese Language 104 (1st Floor) New Delhi House
27, Barakhamba Road New Delhi-110001 |
| Japan Foundation (New Delhi) | This organization was established in 1972 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) | A-13, Green Park, Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110016 |
Popular Universities to Learn Japanese
Beyond coaching centers, many popular universities in India provide structured programs, detailing how to learn Japanese language through academic study. Here are some of the top educational institutions offering relevant courses. Also, students can explore Japanese colleges in India and their courses to choose the ideal one for them.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
| Popular Indian Universities to Learn Japanese | Course Details |
|---|---|
| Goa University |
|
| Delhi University |
|
| Bengaluru City University |
|
How to Learn Japanese Language for Free?
Here are some tips to learn Japanese easily at zero cost.
-
Master the Basics with YouTube: Utilize free channels like Nihongo no Mori or JapanesePod101 (free lessons) to grasp Hiragana, Katakana, and basic grammar rules, which are essential for starting out.
-
Use Free Language Apps: Download apps like Duolingo or Memrise for short, gamified daily lessons to quickly build vocabulary and practice simple sentences.
-
Find a Free Digital Textbook: Look for publicly available PDF resources online, such as the Minna no Nihongo textbook series (often shared by study groups), to get structured lessons.
-
Join Online Groups: Participate in free language exchange groups on platforms like Discord or Reddit (r/LearnJapanese) to practice speaking and writing with native speakers.
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Read Free Manga/News: Access free Japanese news sites (like NHK News Web Easy) or simple digital Manga to improve your reading speed and context-based vocabulary.
Best Apps and Websites to Learn Japanese
Here are some popular websites and apps to learn Japanese online.
| Apps/Websites |
Platform |
Subscription Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bussu |
iOS and Android |
Free and Subscription Based |
| Lingo Deer |
iOS and Android |
Free and Subscription Based |
| Duolingo |
iOS and Android |
Free and Subscription Based |
| Youtube |
iOS and Android |
Free |
| Memrise |
iOS and Android |
Free and Subscription Based |
| Wasabi |
Website |
Free and Subscription Based |
| Japan Foundation |
Online (Website) |
Subscription Based |
Best Books to Learn Japanese for Indian Students
Below, we have mentioned some recommended books to help you in learning. You can buy these books from any online platform easily.
- Learning Japanese Kanji Practice Book Volume 1
- GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
- A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
- How to Sound Intelligent in Japanese: A Vocabulary Builder
- Read Real Japanese Fiction
15 Regular Words in Japanese with Meaning
Start your learning journey with basic Japanese words. Here we have mentioned some English words with Japanese translations. Have a look!
| Japanese Words |
English Meaning
|
|---|---|
| Konnichiwa | Good morning |
| Sayonara |
Goodbye (formal)
|
| Arigatō gozaimasu |
Thank you (formal)
|
| Arigatō |
Thank you (informal)
|
| Sumimasen |
Excuse me / Sorry (formal and informal)
|
| Gomennasai | Sorry (formal) |
| Hai | Yes |
| Iie | No |
| Kudasai | Please |
| Dozo |
Please (more polite)
|
| Genki desu ka? |
How are you? (informal)
|
| desu |
(copula, translates to "am," "is," or "are")
|
| Kankokugo |
Korean language
|
| Aishitemasu | I love you |
Japanese can be difficult to learn. Especially for those who have a habit of using their native languages. Its writing system includes three scripts. Grammar format is different from English language.
¥642,960 (INR 3.8 L) per year for UG, ¥520,800-¥535,800 (INR 3.1 L-INR 3.17 L) per year for PG and ¥804,000 (INR 4.76 L) for Law School students.
Note: These are only tuition costs, and students may also incure some additional costs such as admisisons fees, books and supplies, and some other costs. Refer the University of Tokyo Fees section, for the same.

It is not mandatory for Indian students to learn Japanese to study in Japan. You can study here in English language. Yes, universities in Japan prefer candidates who are proficient in Japanese.