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
The big-picture guide to the Japanese writing system: what hiragana, katakana, kanji and romaji are, how they work together in one sentence, why there are three scripts and the order to learn them in.
May 19, 202612 min readRead
JLPT N4: the complete guide to the second level
Everything about the JLPT N4: exam structure, passing score, 2026 test dates, the key grammar from the te-form to conditionals, and how many study hours to 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, who is affected, and how to prepare as a learner.
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: exam structure, passing score, 2026 test dates, the kana, kanji, vocabulary 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 and the JLPT N5: 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