How many people speak Japanese worldwide?

Japanese is in the top 10 most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 130 million people who use it. 99% of those speakers live in Japan, but there are over a million people in the US, Brazil and Guam who also speak fluent Japanese.

Is there more than one dialect of Japanese?

Yes, but you probably won't encounter anything beyond Standard Japanese unless you travel throughout Japan itself. The Japanese you learn will be understood throughout the country, and differences are mostly related to accents and some vocabulary. It's not unlike what you find between speakers from different regions of the US, or between people from England and Australia.

How hard is it to learn Japanese?

If we're being completely honest, we'd say that Japanese is one of the hardest languages you could attempt to master: even the US State Department ranks it with Arabic, Korean and Chinese as one of the four most difficult! Part of that stems from the fact that Japanese has three separate writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji). However, if you've got the grit to work hard and be patient with your studies, Japanese shouldn't be out of reach for you to learn.

What are some good tips for studying the Japanese language?

You're going to need to wrap your head around the three Japanese alphabets: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. You'll find all of them as you learn the language! As you learn the alphabets, start memorizing basic vocabulary for how you intend to use Japanese, whether that's for business use or just to understand your favorite anime! Speaking of TV, it's a great way to pick up the accent and pronunciation naturally, especially if you don't have the chance to talk with native speakers on a regular basis.

Why should I choose online Japanese lessons?

There's no need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for a one-semester Japanese class at a university when you can get on-demand instruction for much less. You may not even be able to find in-person classes near you, but there are always options online that let you learn Japanese as quickly (or as slowly!) as you desire.

How can I read and write in Japanese on my computer?

You need to take a few extra steps to enable the Japanese language on your computer. The steps differ if you're using a Mac or Windows-based PC, and you'll have to search for the instructions based on your operating system. There are also online Japanese keyboards that let you click on characters without modifying your settings.

Are online Japanese lessons expensive?

They're very affordable. You can get month-to-month subscription plans for less than $25/month, or make a one-time purchase of a Japanese lessons package for under $500. Either way, you'll get much more for your money than if you were paying for a semester or two of college courses.

Can I get a refund if I don't like the Japanese language program?

You'll want to read the terms and conditions of any language platform you're considering. The subscription plans typically allow customers to cancel at any time but don't offer a refund of previous payments. The Japanese lesson packages that are one-off purchases may have a 30- or 60-day money-back guarantee. We suggest that you use all of the free resources that the language program has to offer - such as a sample lesson, or a trial period - so that you will already know how it approaches instruction and if it's a good fit for your preferences.

Japanese Pod 101 vs Memrise for February 2026

Item: Japanese Pod 101 vs Memrise
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Picking up a new language can open doors, and Japanese is among the most captivating choices. If you're drawn to the culture - from anime and manga to tea ceremonies and calligraphy - learning the language lets you experience what you love from the inside, with richer context and nuance. It also helps you connect with creators and communities, travel with confidence, and enjoy films or comics without relying on translations.

As online learning keeps growing, it's never been easier to find Japanese lessons on the internet. Whether you're starting from scratch or polishing your conversation skills, online courses come in many formats - immersive audio, interactive quizzes, multimedia resources, and virtual language exchanges - that make the experience engaging. Many platforms also offer progress tracking and community spaces to keep you motivated. You can set your own pace and fit study sessions around your schedule.

Whether you're itching to wander Tokyo's buzzing streets, soak in Kyoto's calm beauty, or just chat with Japanese speakers, learning the language is genuinely rewarding. Each phrase you master opens new doors - to travel, culture, and real connection.

Japan's cultural landscape blends time-honored traditions with cutting-edge creativity. Graceful theater like Noh and Kabuki sits alongside the meticulous crafts of sushi-making and bonsai, while elegant architecture and electric cityscapes reveal a country always reinventing itself. Learning Japanese opens the door to this full spectrum - from ancient history and classical arts to today's J-pop and anime - and lets you experience it without translation. It also makes everyday encounters, from reading station signs to chatting at neighborhood festivals, feel richer and more personal. With the language, you don't just observe Japan; you step into its rhythm and understand its heart more deeply.

In a world that's more connected than ever, knowing Japanese can be both a career catalyst and a gateway to richer personal experiences. Japan remains a heavyweight in the global economy, home to tech innovators, automotive leaders, and cultural exports that shape trends worldwide. That language skill can help you land roles at Japanese companies, collaborate on research with universities and labs, or dive into exchange programs and international projects - and it also makes travel, networking, and engaging with Japanese media far more rewarding. Even a working proficiency signals respect and builds trust with partners who value the effort. In short, fluency broadens your options and expands your horizon in ways that are hard to replicate through translation alone.

As you embark on your journey to learn Japanese, it can be hard to narrow down the options. Here are some key factors to consider to help you find the best resource for your Japanese lessons:

Teaching methodology. Identify your preferred learning style - whether auditory, visual, or kinesthetic - and select a Japanese course that works best with how you learn. Whether you thrive on interactive exercises, audiovisual content, or structured grammar discussions, make sure you prioritize platforms that offer methods that support how you learn best.
Free trial option. Look for Japanese language platforms that offer free trials or sample lessons. This allows you to check out the program before committing to a subscription. Some platforms offer course previews or multi-day trials. These will give you the best chance at trying a language program before you have to pay.
Cost. Evaluate the cost of Japanese language courses with respect to the value they offer in terms of educational content and language proficiency outcomes. Many Japanese language lessons are free, but you may not get full proficiency from those sources. On the other hand, some programs are very expensive, but you still might miss some key features. Balance the cost and value of the language instruction to find your best fit.
Reputation. Research the reputation and credibility of Japanese language platforms through customer reviews, ratings, and testimonials. Explore third-party review sites, language learning forums, and social media channels to see if your favorite Japanese lesson provider offers the results you want. Look for platforms with positive feedback regarding instructional effectiveness, customer support, and learning outcomes for a rewarding and fulfilling learning experience.

To help you get the most out of your language studies, Top Consumer Reviews has tested, evaluated and ranked the best options for online Japanese lessons today. We know this information will give you all the info you need to choose the best program for your learning style and schedule.

Japanese Pod 101

Pricing from free to $23 per month
Podcast-style learning
7-day free trial of paid features

Japanese Pod 101 has podcast-style lessons that are ideal for beginners learning Japanese, with weekly content updates. While lacking previews on the website, its podcast-style format presents structured lessons, though the interface can be clunky. With subscription options ranging from free to $23 per month, Japanese Pod 101 can be a great starting point for beginners, although some students find it better suited for supplemental learning rather than achieving full fluency. Overall, Japanese Pod 101 earns a commendable rating for its free lessons for beginner Japanese students.

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Memrise

Priced $27.99 per month, $89.99 per year, or as low as $124.99 for lifetime
Free features available
Video and audio lessons with native speakers in authentic contexts

Memrise, with its vocab-heavy approach, though effective with its Spaced Repetition System, may not lead to full Japanese fluency. Its courses can be challenging due to abrupt transitions between writing systems (especially for Japanese). Reviews suggest better experiences with the premium version, so that may be something you want to consider if you join Memrise (especially for the option to pay once for a lifetime plan). Memrise earns a "just average" rating for its Japanese lessons.

Japanese Pod 101 vs Memrise

2026 Japanese Lesson Reviews

Japanese Pod 101

Memrise

Japanese Lesson FAQ