Best ways to learn practical Japanese in Japan (apps + offline)

First: what does “practical Japanese” mean?

In this guide, “practical Japanese” means the language that helps you move through your day: ordering at restaurants, asking for help in shops, talking to neighbours, and solving small problems at the ward office or station.

It’s different from studying purely for tests or reading novels. Ideally, a practical Japanese learning app or course should:

• Give you phrases and patterns that are useful this week, not only years from now.
• Help you recognise what other people say back to you.
• Fit around your work or study schedule in Japan.

Option 1: Language schools in Japan

Dedicated language schools and university programs are the most traditional route. You go to class several times a week, follow a structured curriculum, and build up grammar and kanji step by step.

Good for:

• People on student visas or working part-time who can commit to fixed class times.
• Those who enjoy textbooks, homework, and a clear sense of progression.
• Intermediate learners aiming for JLPT levels or university entrance.

Limitations:

• Less flexible if you work long or irregular hours.
• Often focused on grammar and reading over spontaneous, messy real-life conversations.
• Can be expensive compared to self-study or apps.

Option 2: Textbooks and self-study

Many people arrive with a copy of Genki, Minna no Nihongo, or a JLPT prep book in their luggage. These are excellent for building foundations and understanding why the language works.

Good for:

• Detail-oriented learners who like structured explanations.
• Quiet study at home, on trains, or in cafes.
• Understanding grammar patterns so you can later bend them in conversation.

Limitations:

• Not always aligned with the exact situations you face in Japan this week.
• Easy to get stuck in “I can pass the exercise, but I still freeze at the counter.”
• Progress can feel slow if you’re tired from work or life admin.

Option 3: General language apps (like Duolingo)

Apps like Duolingo are great at building a daily habit, gamifying progress, and giving you bite-sized lessons you can do on the train. Many people use them before and after moving to Japan.

Good for:

• Keeping up a streak and touching the language every day.
• Building basic vocabulary and recognition.
• Supplementing other forms of study.

Limitations:

• Content is often designed for global learners, not specifically for life in Japan.
• Less focused on the messy, multi-step interactions you have with real people.
• Phrases can be correct but not the ones you’d actually say at your local konbini or ward office.

Option 4: Conversation partners and language exchanges

Meeting Japanese speakers in person or online is one of the fastest ways to get comfortable speaking. You can use meetup groups, language cafes, apps, or friends-of-friends to find partners.

Good for:

• Getting used to real voices, accents, and casual expressions.
• Practising small talk, opinions, and more natural speech.
• Making local friends and hearing about daily life in Japan.

Limitations:

• Quality varies a lot depending on your partner and shared goals.
• Can be intimidating if you’re very new or tired after work.
• Harder to use for very specific admin tasks like “explain this insurance letter” on the spot.

Option 5: TabiTalk — a Japanese learning app for real life in Japan

TabiTalk is built specifically for real-life situations in Japan: stations, shops, offices, restaurants, and unexpected moments like vet visits. Instead of following a chapter-by-chapter course, you start from the situation you’re in.

The core loop is:

• Ask in English. Type or say what you want to say.
• Get natural Japanese with backup. See romaji, kana, and quick notes so you know how polite it is and what it really means.
• Practise the scenario. Turn it into a mini role-play so you can handle the full interaction, not just one sentence.

If you want to go deeper on how TabiTalk works as a Japanese learning app for life in Japan, see the full guide to TabiTalk for residents and long-term visitors.

You can also explore concrete examples in these scenario guides:

• Japanese phrases for convenience stores in Japan — for handling konbini checkouts.
• Ordering at a Japanese family restaurant — for menus, customisation, and paying.
• Survival Japanese for your first week in Tokyo — for admin and first-week life.
• Visiting a Japanese vet with your pet — for health emergencies and routine visits.