Learn Japanese the way your brain wants to

A research-backed platform that guides you from your first hiragana character to fluency — through comprehensible input, spaced repetition, and immersion. No streaks, no XP, no gamification.

Built on proven science

Every feature is grounded in language acquisition research

Comprehensible Input

Learn through material just above your level — the proven "i+1" approach from Krashen's research.

Spaced Repetition

SM-2 algorithm schedules reviews at optimal intervals, fighting the forgetting curve discovered by Ebbinghaus.

Immersive Learning

Practice with real Japanese media, interactive subtitles, and sentence mining from anime and more.

No Gamification

No streaks, badges, or XP. Just genuine learning progress that keeps you motivated through real results.

Your learning journey

A structured path from zero to fluency

1

Kana

Master hiragana and katakana — the foundation of Japanese reading.

2

Vocabulary

Build your word bank with 3000+ essential words using SRS.

3

Grammar

Learn patterns from N5 to N3 with clear explanations and practice.

4

Immersion

Apply everything through real Japanese media and sentence mining.

Features that matter

Every tool designed with language acquisition in mind

Stroke Order Animation

Learn to write kana correctly with animated stroke-by-stroke guides.

Adaptive SRS

Review scheduling adapts to your performance — spend time where it matters.

Placement Assessment

Quick quiz determines your level so you start at the right place.

Grammar Exercises

Fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice quizzes reinforce patterns.

Sentence Mining

Save sentences from immersion content to review with SRS.

Progress Tracking

See your real progress across all skills — no vanity metrics.

Grounded in research

Wakaru's approach is built on decades of language acquisition research. Stephen Krashen's Input Hypothesis informs our comprehensible input approach. Hermann Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve research drives our spaced repetition scheduling. The SM-2 algorithm, proven across millions of learners, ensures you review at the optimal moment for long-term retention.

Ready to start?

Join Wakaru and begin your Japanese learning journey with a method that works.

Create Free Account