Japanese Kana Learning Guide

Tips, techniques, and answers to common questions about learning hiragana, katakana, and Japanese pronunciation.

Japanese Alphabet Writing Practice Guide for Beginners
A beginner's guide to Japanese alphabet writing practice — learn hiragana, katakana, and kanji step by step with daily practice routines.
Hiragana vs Katakana: Writing Practice Tips & Key Differences
Learn the key differences between hiragana and katakana, and get writing practice tips for both Japanese scripts.
Japanese Vowel Writing Practice: Complete Pronunciation Guide
Practice the five Japanese vowels (a, i, u, e, o) with writing tips, mouth position guides, and common pronunciation mistakes.
Japanese Consonants That Trip Up English Speakers
How to pronounce the Japanese R, tsu (つ), fu (ふ), and other sounds that don't have exact English equivalents.
Long Vowels and Double Consonants in Japanese
Why おばさん and おばあさん mean completely different things, and how to hear and produce the difference.
Hiragana & Katakana Stroke Order: Writing Practice Guide
Learn why correct stroke order matters for hiragana and katakana writing practice — improve readability, speed, and muscle memory.
Common Kana Mistakes Beginners Make
The most frequently confused hiragana and katakana characters — like き vs さ, シ vs ツ — and how to tell them apart.