Do you plan to learn Kanji soon in the future? Are you looking for a good Kanji book to study?
In this post, I’m going to share my honest reviews of three books. These are the Kanji books I personally feel are good and helpful.
Good Books to Learn Kanji
No book is perfect. Each one has its pros and cons. Please read the review and choose the one that serves your needs.
Book #1
- Japanese Kanji for Beginners (430 Kanji)
This book comes with a CD that contains printable flashcards and audio recordings of all 430 kanji with their related vocabulary.
- The book is smaller and compact
- CD (Flashcards & Audio materials)
- It introduces Kanji according to the topic (House, Nature, Family, etc.)
- The description of the pictograph is in English only
- ON-reading is in Katakana
- 4 to 7 example Vocabulary for each Kanji
- Small exercises after each lesson
- Only one Index at the end (English-Japanese Glossary)
Each Kanji table looks like this.
Out of the three books, this one Japanese Kanji for Beginners is smaller than the other two as you see below.
Book #2
2. Nihongo Challenge にほんごチャレンジ かんじ N4-N5 (310 Kanji)
The book is specifically designed for the JLPT exams. (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). It provides you the necessary Kanji vocabulary that you need to know for the N4 and N5 levels.
It provides you with lots of exercises for the exam.
- Normal textbook size
- It introduces Kanji according to their origin or function
- The description of the pictograph is in 4 languages (Japanese, English, Korean, Portuguese)
- ON-reading is in Katakana
- 2 to 4 example Vocabulary for each Kanji
- Small exercises after each lesson
- Test Practice for JLPT after every three lessons
- Two Indexes at the end (ON-KUN Reading Index & Japanese Vocabulary Index)
Each Kanji table looks like this.
Book #3
3. KANJI Look & Learn (512 Kanji)
This book introduces you to most Kanji out of the three books. (512 Kanji).
The book itself doesn’t offer any exercises. You will have to purchase the workbook for practicing Kanji you’ve learned. So, this is the most expensive option if you buy both the book and the workbook.
However, you’ll get to practice Kanji most extensively because the workbook provides tons of exercises. As a result, you will deepen your understanding of Kanji the best with this option.
- Normal textbook size
- It introduces Kanji in the order of difficulty and functions
- The description of the pictograph is in 2 languages (Japanese & English)
- ON-reading is in Hiragana. The black arrow indicates it. (See the image below)
- 5 to 10 example Vocabulary for each Kanji (Most thorough among the three books)
- Exercises are put together in the workbook
- FOUR Indexes at the end. The easiest book to look up a Kanji later. (Stroke Count Index, ON-KUN Reading Index, Kanji Shape Index, Japanese Vocabulary Index)
Each Kani table looks like this.
Other Suggestions?
Do you have a Kanji book that especially helped you? Then, please leave them in the comment area. That will be helpful information to other learners. I may even take a look at it myself and add the review here.
Learn Kanji from Zero
Are you totally new to Kanji? Do you want to start from the basics of Kanji with the correct way to write each letter?
Then you can join our Kanji Startup Course!
Not ready for Kanji yet?
No need to rush to Kanji if you are still learning Hiragana & Katakana. Those two are essential for your Japanese learning journey.
The Complete Hiragana Lesson HERE.
The Complete Katakana Lesson HERE.
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Looking forward to having you as my student! では、また。
ゆうこせんせい (Yuko-sensei) is a professional Japanese teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience in the USA. She now offers online courses for learners worldwide. Learn More…
Hi Yuko Sensei,
The books that recommended was actually very impressed & useful for beginner who learn Kanji.
There are multiple meanings, the strokes indicating the style of writing as shown.
I wish can have this book – Kanji looks & learns
Ken-san, Konnichiwa.
If you don’t have access to Amazon, you should still be able to find it in your local bookstores.
You can check the publishing company’s website for distributors in your country.
https://genki.japantimes.co.jp/howtoorder_en
Hope this helps!
Yuko先生、あいがとうごやいました。You always have these useful tips! I may go for the 3rd option, despite its price.
However, I started with Learning Japanese Kanji by Eriko Sato (Tuttle). For me the look of the page and the graphics was important, and this basic starters book is beautifully produced. Clear step by step stroke order, ON in Katakana, Kun in Hiragana. 8 example words and lots of space to practice.Readings index, Jap/Eng Index, Eng/Jap index. Volumes I &II. $11.95
Nigelさん、I am not familiar with the book. Is this the one you are talking about?
https://amzn.to/3xhXLNA
If Yes, I will try to get it sometime soon and add the review of this book to this blog. It looks good and I especially like the affordable price! Thank you for sharing the information with your fellow learners. 😊
I am currently using the ” Kanji Look and Learn ” book but also have ” Learning Japanese Kanji” Practice Book Volume 1 by Erico Sato. This book teaches stroke order, On-Kon and common words. There are also several practice pages in the back of the book.
Dreinaさん、
Thank you for sharing the Kanji resources you are using with your fellow students! ありがとうございます。😊
Ohayou Yuko sensei 🙇🏻♂️🙇🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️
I received this email since I’m subscribed to your YouTube channel and I find these 3 or 4 books since the last book you covered/mentioned needs a work book, but as for me I have been self teaching/learning Japanese by myself for almost 4 years now but I haven’t study Kanji seriously but it’s recommended to learn Hiragana and Katakana first. I made sure that I learned Hiragana and Katakana well enough that I feel I am at the level that Iearning kanji is essential. I appreciate you sending these kanji books and I’ll be purchasing at one of them as soon as I have enough money to do so.
Abraham-san,
You don’t need to rush into Kanji learning. Yes, please master Hiragana and Katakana first. The information I share here is for those who are interested in Kanji already.
You can come back to this blog when you are at the stage of learning Kanji. 😊
I use “ Essential Kanji “ by P.G. O’Neill. This book teaches 2,000 basic kanji, gives stroke order and the On and Kun readings, Chinese readings and gives two examples of the kanji in a sentence. I use it for reference, and to look up kanji I’m not familiar with. I hope this will be helpful.
Chelseaさん、
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Kanji material. I’m sure other Kanji learners find the information helpful. ありがとうございます。😊
I think the books would be useful for learning the stroke order of Kanji. I have been using wanikani.com for almost a year now and although I now recognise way more Kanji, I still don’t know if I’m writing them in the correct way. Truth be told, I don’t see myself ever writing in Japanese extensively. But it would be nice to know, all the same.
I might purchase one of these books! Will have to think because money is tight at the moment 😀
Thank you, Yuko Sensei!
Ryanさん、こんにちは。
In this digital era, there is no much need to handwrite things. As long as you can read and know the meaning of Kanji words, that would be enough for you to get by.
In the near future, being able to write Kanji might be viewed more as an art than a necessity. In that sense, it will be still fun to learn how to do it.
I’m glad the information was helpful! 😊
You are very astute yuko sensei. I agree, even handwriting in any language is becoming obsolete but I get a sense of satisfaction from learning to write kanji that makes it worth the effort. I think I will purchase the most expensive book. Thank you!
Ryanさん、
I personally like the Kanji: Look & Learn book the best out of the three. I hope you find the book helpful for your Kanji learning.