Free Beginner's Resource

Your Free
Japanese
Starter Kit

Everything you need to begin your Japanese journey — hiragana charts, 30 survival phrases, and a 30-day study plan. Made by the teachers at Ichi語 in Fukuoka.

Ichi語 Language School
Hiragana reference chart
30 survival phrases
30-day study roadmap
Best free apps
100% free
What's Inside

Everything a Beginner Actually Needs

No fluff, no overwhelm. Just the practical tools to get you speaking and reading Japanese as fast as possible.

Hiragana Chart

All 46 hiragana characters with pronunciation. The first thing every Japanese learner needs to master — and you can do it in a week.

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30 Survival Phrases

The exact sentences you need on day one in Japan — ordering food, asking directions, thanking people. With pronunciation guides.

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30-Day Study Roadmap

A week-by-week plan requiring just 30 minutes a day. From zero to ready-for-class in one month, using only free tools.

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Best Free Apps

Teacher-curated list of the best free tools: Anki, Kana Town, HelloTalk, NHK Easy Japanese, Jisho, and Tae Kim's Guide.

Hiragana Reference

Learn to Read in 48 Hours

Each character represents one sound. Master these 46 and you can read anything written in hiragana.

a
i
u
e
o
ka
ki
ku
ke
ko
sa
shi
su
se
so
ta
chi
tsu
te
to
na
ni
nu
ne
no
ha
hi
fu
he
ho

+ ま み む め も ・ や ゆ よ ・ ら り る れ ろ ・ わ を ん — and more in the full guide

Survival Phrases

Say This On Day One

A taste of the 30 phrases in the guide. These will carry you through your first weeks in Japan.

ありがとうございます Arigatō gozaimasu Thank you (polite)
すみません Sumimasen Excuse me / Sorry
いくらですか? Ikura desu ka? How much does this cost?
おいしい! Oishii! Delicious! — use often in Fukuoka 🍜
わかりません Wakarimasen I don't understand
よろしくお願いします Yoroshiku onegai shimasu Nice to meet you
30-Day Plan

From Zero to Conversational Basics

30 minutes a day. No prior knowledge needed. Just follow the plan.

1
Week 1 — Days 1–7

Master Hiragana

5 characters per day using Kana Town app. Write by hand. By day 7 you read all 46 hiragana without hesitation.

2
Week 2 — Days 8–14

Katakana + First Vocabulary

Repeat for katakana. Start Anki with 10 new words per day — food, numbers, verbs. 70+ words by end of week.

3
Week 3 — Days 15–21

Basic Grammar & Sentences

Start Tae Kim's Guide (free). Learn particles, verb tenses, basic questions. Write 5 original sentences daily.

4
Week 4 — Days 22–30

Speak & Listen Every Day

Find a language partner on HelloTalk. Watch Japanese YouTube daily. By day 30 you're ready for N5-level study.

Day 31 — Next Level

Join Ichi語 in Fukuoka

Self-study has limits. A great teacher accelerates everything. Our courses start from absolute beginner — in-person in Fukuoka or online.

Ichi語
Ready to go further?

Study Japanese in the
heart of Fukuoka

Flexible programs from 1–12 weeks. Absolute beginner to JLPT prep. Small classes, experienced teachers, and a city you'll fall in love with.