Apps & Resources for Advanced Japanese Study

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Happy #JLPT day to those getting their test results! 🎉 If you're about to embark on the journey towards a higher level (or beyond the JLPT), you may feel like there aren't as many resources available to you, but there's a lot out there if you look for it! 🧵 #langtwt #nihongo

Here are some online resources I used to pass N1! Some (like Kanji Study and Kitsun) I still use, and there's a good mix of free, paid and optionally paid alternatives available! MOST IMPORTANTLY, most, if not all, are relevant for those hoping to pass N2, N1, or beyond!

1. Kanji Study — This is my go-to writing practice and dictionary app for Android. I use it every day to practice writing and to look up words. It has an insane number of useful features, too many for me to describe honestly, but you can read more here: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/japanese-kanji-study/

2. Kitsun.io — Most people know about SRS and Anki, but this is a more user-friendly (and high-end) version. I use Kitsun to practice vocabulary every day. Whenever I encounter a new word I want to learn (including from the other apps on this list!) I...

...add it and its context sentence to one of my decks in Kitsun. You can study with/share community decks, but imho the killer feature is the built-in J-E dictionary, so it's easy to automate card creation and focus on actually studying. Read more: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/kitsun/

3. NINJAL Tsukuba Web Corpus — This is an online collocation dictionary I refer to almost everyday, and an essential for advanced language learners IMHO. You can check the collocations (e.g. frequently used particles, objects, etc.) for most words, but it's especially useful...

...for confirming which particles to use with する verbs (i.e. whether a particular する verb is transitive or intransitive) or other grammatical constructions. Additionally it's FREE! There's definitely a learning curve, but try it out here: tsukubawebcorpus.jp/search/

4. Tofugu Learning Resources Database — @tofugu has been releasing articles about new Japanese learning resources for years, but finally there's a one-stop place to browse them all, with options to filter by platform or focus (including N1/N2)! Link: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/

5. Bunpro.jp — This web app was an immense resource to me when I was studying for the JLPT, though I haven't used it much recently. Using SRS, you can learn according to JLPT level or even follow along with many textbooks! More info: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/bunpro/

6. WaniKani — Virtually everything I know about reading kanji I owe to @WaniKaniApp. I used this from start to finish and now can read 99.9% of what I encounter in daily life and in readings for grad school (currently studying at a Japanese university). In addition to nearly...

...all jōyō kanji, this app teaches you thousands of vocab words along the way and has a built-in SRS service to review them all. Not to mention the community that's developed around the app has led to many of the resources (like Kitsun and Bunpro) on this list! I cannot stress…

...the profound effect this resources has had on my Japanese comprehension and motivation to continue learning. It costs a bit of money (try discount code "CRAB YORI GATOR" with yearly membership!) but I think it's well worth the price if it works for you: wanikani.com

7. Bunpo — This is a simple iOS/Android app with various grammar explanations and practice questions for each level of the JLPT. I found it useful for its simplicity and straightforward explanations when studying for the N2 and N1, so maybe you will too: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/bunpo-android/

8. Memrise.com — This is an SRS website based on both official and community-built flashcard decks. Chances are if you've got a JLPT practice book (like Sō Matome), someone's created a deck for it! Be sure to check out some of the decks for specialty topics as well!

9. Japanese.io — This is a great web app to practice reading, by taking any native Japanese resource and scaffolding grammar constructions and furigana (+ built-in dictionary) to make it a little easier to read for language learners! More info: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/japanese-io/

10. Satori Reader — While most of Satori Reader is at N3/low N2 difficulty level, its contents are nonetheless very high quality. It may be useful to add words to your own SRS vocabulary deck, or use the listening content to practice shadowing! More info: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/satori-reader-apps/

11. Nihongo no Mori — Most are probably already familiar with the fantastic (and free!) YouTube channel, but @nihongono_mori has also released both an online/mobile app AND PDF practice tests for JLPT N1 and N2 content!! nihongonomori.com/

12. Lang-8/LangCorrect — While I only have experience with Lang-8, both are online writing services where you can upload your own writings (journals, essays, etc.) and have them checked by native speakers! The more you proofread others, the higher priority your own posts become…

…which I think is a great system to incentivize active participation in the community. Not to mention it's FREE, I can think of no other services like them! More info: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/langcorrect/

13. HiNative — This is another service you might already know about, which was created by the same developers as Lang-8. You can ask questions about vocabulary, grammar, etc. and native speakers will respond! Truly essential imho. More info: tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/hinative/

14. YouTube [Music] — Again you probably already know about YouTube, but did you know you can upload your own files (for FREE!) to YouTube Music? I've uploaded many of the audio files from my textbooks, and now I can use them for shadowing practice on-the-go!

I don't watch much Youtube, but here are some creators I personally enjoy and recommend (both for studying and listening to native contents): - 日本語の森 - ３本塾 -Sambon Juku- - Onomappu - Japanese Ammo with Misa - kemio - アチオチャンネル Achio Channel - BuzzFeed Japan

15. Pocket Casts (or your preferred podcasting app) — There are a number of great Japanese listening resources available as podcasts, both explicitly for learners and as native materials, and the best part is they're all FREE!

Here are a few podcasts I personally enjoy: - Nihongo con Teppei Z - 4989 American Life (transcriptsあり) - JLPT Stories (N2/N1あり) - 日本語で鬼シャドーイング - Let's Talk in Japanese (N2/N1あり) - The Real Japanese Podcast! (N2/N1あり) - Nihongo Switch (transcriptsあり)

These are just 15 tools/resources I could think of off the top of my head that I used to study for JLPT N2 and N1! There's a lot more to be discovered so long as you're willing to look for it, but if you have any other recommendations, please feel free to share below! 🤗