The Shinobi Blog
Learn Japanese, the way that actually works
Honest, practical guides on getting started, passing the JLPT, reading native material, and choosing the right tools — no hype, no shortcuts.
Shinobi vs Duolingo: Which Actually Gets You Reading Japanese?
An honest, feature-by-feature comparison of Shinobi and Duolingo for learning Japanese — what each is actually built to do, where each plateaus, and which one gets you reading real Japanese faster.
Onyomi vs Kunyomi: How to Know Which Reading to Use
Why most kanji have more than one reading, the practical difference between onyomi and kunyomi, and simple rules to guess which one applies before you even check a dictionary.
What Is Furigana and How Does It Help You Read Japanese?
Furigana explained: what the small kana printed above kanji actually do, why they're a beginner's best friend for reading, and when to start relying on them less.
The Best Japanese Graded Readers for Beginners (2026 Guide)
What graded readers are, why they're the fastest way to build real Japanese reading ability, and the best options for beginners — from classic book series to leveled apps with furigana and audio.
Japanese Grammar for Beginners: The Essential Guide
Everything a beginner needs to start building Japanese sentences: word order (SOV), particles, です/ます, present and past, negatives, and how to actually make grammar stick — explained simply with clear examples.
The Te-Form in Japanese: Every Use Explained
The te-form (て形) is the most versatile conjugation in Japanese. Learn how to make it from every verb group, and every major way it's used — requests, linking actions, continuous tense, permission, and more — with clear examples.
Japanese Immersion: How to Learn Japanese Through Input
What Japanese immersion really means, why comprehensible input is the engine of fluency, how to immerse at every level from beginner to advanced, and the common mistakes — like watching anime you don't understand — that waste your time.
JLPT N1 Guide: What to Study and How to Pass
Everything you need for JLPT N1: what the test covers, how many kanji and words to learn, the exam format and scoring, how it differs from N2, a realistic study plan, and the fastest way to pass the highest level of the JLPT.
JLPT N2 Guide: What to Study and How to Pass
Everything you need for JLPT N2: what the test covers, how many kanji and words to learn, the exam format and scoring, how it differs from N3, a realistic study plan, and the fastest way to pass the level employers actually ask for.
How to Learn Japanese Vocabulary (and Actually Remember It)
A practical method for learning Japanese vocabulary that sticks — spaced repetition done right, learning words in context, mining from reading, and why input beats memorising word lists.
JLPT N3 Guide: What to Study and How to Pass
Everything you need for JLPT N3: what the test covers, how many kanji and words to learn, the exam format and scoring, how it differs from N4, a realistic study plan, and the fastest way to pass.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese? An Honest Timeline
How long it really takes to learn Japanese — the FSI hour estimates, realistic milestones from beginner to fluent, what makes people faster or slower, and how to shorten the timeline.
How to Read Japanese: A Step-by-Step Method That Works
A practical, step-by-step method for learning to read Japanese: from kana to your first sentences to real text, why graded reading beats grinding flashcards, and how to actually start today.
JLPT N4 Guide: What to Study and How to Pass
Everything you need for JLPT N4: what the test covers, how many kanji and words to learn, the exam format and scoring, how it differs from N5, a study plan, and the fastest way to prepare.
How to Learn Japanese in 2026: A Complete Beginner's Guide
A realistic, step-by-step guide to learning Japanese in 2026 — what to study first, how long it takes, and the input-based method that actually works.
Japanese Verb Conjugation: The Complete Beginner's Guide
A clear, complete guide to Japanese verb conjugation: the three verb groups, the all-important て-form, plain vs polite, past, negative, potential and more — with patterns and examples.
Hiragana and Katakana: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn hiragana and katakana the fast way: what each kana is for, how long it takes, the best mnemonics and stroke-order rules, and how to start reading real Japanese.
How to Learn Kanji: A Practical Method That Actually Sticks
A realistic method for learning kanji without burning out: learn them in words not isolation, use radicals and spaced repetition, and how many you actually need to read Japanese.
JLPT N5 Guide: What to Study and How to Pass
Everything you need for JLPT N5: what the test covers, how many kanji and words to learn, the exam format and scoring, a study plan, and the fastest way to prepare.
は vs が: The Particle Difference, Finally Explained
The clearest explanation of wa (は) vs ga (が) for Japanese learners: the topic-vs-subject rule, when to use each, the exceptions, and how to internalise it through reading.
Japanese Particles Guide: All the Essentials, Clearly Explained
A complete, beginner-friendly guide to Japanese particles: は, が, を, に, で, へ, と, も, の, から, まで and more — what each one does, with clear examples and a quick-reference table.
Best Apps to Learn Japanese in 2026: An Honest Comparison
An honest comparison of the best apps to learn Japanese — Anki, WaniKani, Duolingo, Bunpro, and Shinobi — what each does well, where each falls short, and which to pick for your goal.