The Sakuraflow blog
Clear guides to learning Japanese, written for anyone going from their first characters all the way to the JLPT.
How does Japanese writing work? Hiragana, katakana and kanji explained
What hiragana, katakana, kanji and romaji are, how they work together in a single sentence, and the order you should learn them in.
May 19, 202612 min readRead
Anime Japanese vs. real Japanese: what you should never say in daily life
Why anime language is dramatised, which words like kisama, omae and ore to avoid in real Japan, and how to still learn from anime.
Sep 15, 202610 min read
How to practise speaking Japanese without a partner: 6 methods that work
No partner, no excuse: shadowing, self talk, reading aloud, recordings, role plays and AI. How to train speaking entirely on your own.
Sep 12, 20269 min read
Working holiday in Japan: the visa, the costs and how much Japanese you really need
The easiest way to live and work in Japan for a year: the requirements, how the application works, and why your Japanese decides which jobs you get.
Sep 6, 202610 min read
Immersion: learning Japanese with Netflix, YouTube and podcasts
How to actually use shows, YouTube and podcasts: comprehensible input explained, recommendations per level, and active vs. passive listening.
Aug 31, 202611 min read
Understanding keigo: Japanese honorific language without despair
Teineigo, sonkeigo and kenjōgo explained simply: a verb table, konbini examples and reassurance about how much keigo you actually need.
Aug 28, 202611 min read
Learning Japanese as a German speaker: easier than you think
Pronunciation almost for free, no articles, two irregular verbs: why German speakers hold better cards than they think, and where it gets hard.
Aug 26, 20269 min read
Genki or Minna no Nihongo: which textbook is right for you?
The two most popular Japanese textbooks compared: structure, language, strengths and weaknesses, and which book suits which learner.
Aug 26, 20268 min read
How many kanji do you need for each JLPT level?
From around 100 kanji for N5 to over 2,000 for N1: the working estimates for every JLPT level, and why official lists no longer exist.
Aug 25, 20268 min read
What does living in Japan really cost? Tokyo, Osaka and the countryside compared
Rent, food, trains and insurance: what living in Japan costs per month, why moving in is so expensive, and how Japanese saves you real money.
Aug 22, 202611 min read
Spaced repetition: how Japanese finally sticks in your memory
Why you keep forgetting vocabulary and how spaced repetition fixes it: the forgetting curve, common mistakes and a 20 minute daily routine.
Aug 19, 20269 min read
JLPT N2: the career level for working in Japan
Why the JLPT N2 became mandatory for many work visas in 2026, plus structure, passing score, the reading time pressure and your plan from N3.
Aug 16, 202612 min read
The most important Japanese phrases for your first trip to Japan
Around 40 Japanese phrases for your first trip: greetings, restaurants, shopping, trains and emergencies, with romaji and pronunciation tips.
Aug 13, 202612 min read
Is Duolingo enough to learn Japanese? The honest answer
Duolingo builds habits like no other app. But is that enough for Japanese? What the owl does well, where it falls short, and what you should add.
Aug 10, 20269 min read
The best apps to learn Japanese in 2026: an honest comparison
Anki, WaniKani, Bunpro, Duolingo and more compared: what each app is good for, what it costs, and which combination moves you forward fastest.
Aug 10, 202611 min read
JLPT N3: the leap to intermediate and how to make it
Everything about the JLPT N3: structure, passing score, 2026 dates, why the jump from N4 is so big, and how to build reading and vocabulary for it.
Aug 8, 202611 min read
How to learn kanji: the method that actually works
Why rote copying fails and how to actually retain kanji: radicals, mnemonics, frequency, context and spaced repetition in one method.
Aug 5, 202612 min read
Which JLPT level do you need? Visa, university and jobs compared
All five JLPT levels at a glance: how many kanji and words each one asks for, and which level you actually need for a visa, university or work in Japan.
Aug 5, 20269 min read
JLPT N4: the complete guide to the second level
Everything about the JLPT N4: structure, passing score, 2026 dates, the key grammar from te-form to conditionals, and your study plan after N5.
Jul 24, 202611 min read
Moving to Japan in 2026: the Japanese language requirements you now actually need
Japan tightened its visa language rules in 2026. What the new JLPT requirements mean for work and student visas, and who is affected.
Jul 6, 202611 min read
JLPT N5: the complete guide to what you need to know and how to pass
Everything about the JLPT N5: structure, passing score, 2026 dates, the kana, kanji and grammar you need, plus a realistic study plan.
Jun 30, 202612 min read
The best anime to learn Japanese for beginners (JLPT N5)
Which anime actually work for beginners: calm slice of life series and Ghibli films with clear pronunciation, plus how to use them to learn.
Jun 23, 202611 min read
Learn Japanese for beginners: the complete guide
How to learn Japanese as a complete beginner: the right order from kana to vocabulary, grammar and the JLPT, with free study material.
May 12, 202615 min read
How long does it take to learn Japanese?
Realistic timelines for every JLPT level from N5 to N1, what affects your study time and how to progress faster.
Apr 28, 202610 min read
Learn hiragana fast: in one week
A simple 7 day plan to read and write hiragana with confidence, with mnemonics, practice tips and a free chart.
Apr 14, 20269 min read