I still remember the exact feeling of staring at my first Japanese text and understanding absolutely nothing.
Not a single character. Not a single word. Just a page full of symbols that felt completely impossible.
That was me in early 2025 — a complete Japanese beginner sitting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with nothing but determination and a dream of understanding the language I had fallen in love with through anime and Japanese culture.
What happened next changed everything.
My Japanese Learning Journey — From Zero to Certified
I didn’t just read about Japanese. I studied it seriously, sat real exams, and earned real results.
In June 2025, I sat the PJC Bridge Japanese Communication Exam at ISL Dhaka — one of the official practical Japanese language examinations certified by CERTIFY Inc., Tokyo, Japan. I scored 60/100, achieving C+ level — equivalent to JLPT N5 standard. For someone who had started from absolute zero, passing that first official exam was one of the proudest moments of my life.
But I didn’t stop there.
Just one month later, in July 2025, I sat the PJC Bridge N4 level exam at the same center. This time I scored 74/100, achieving B+ level — equivalent to JLPT N4 standard. In a single month, I had jumped an entire JLPT level.
That rapid progress wasn’t luck. It came from finding the right system — the right order to learn things, the right practice methods, and the right resources. And that is exactly what I want to share with you here at NihongoStarter.
Why I Built NihongoStarter
During my own learning journey, I searched everywhere for clear, beginner-friendly Japanese guides. Most of what I found was either too complicated, scattered across dozens of different websites, or buried behind expensive paywalls.
I wanted one place — structured, free, and actually useful — where a complete beginner could start from zero and make real, measurable progress.
That’s exactly why NihongoStarter exists.
I built this site as the resource I wished I had when I first started. Every guide here is written from the perspective of someone who has actually been where you are right now — confused, overwhelmed, and wondering if Japanese is even possible for someone like you.
It is. I’m living proof.
What You’ll Find Here
NihongoStarter covers everything you need to build a solid Japanese foundation:
- Hiragana & Katakana — the two phonetic scripts every beginner masters first, with stroke order guides and free printable practice sheets
- N5 Grammar — every JLPT N5 grammar point explained in plain, simple English with real examples
- N5 Kanji — all 100 N5 kanji with stroke order, readings, meanings, and memory tips
- N5 Vocabulary — the 800 essential words organized by theme so you learn them in context
- Japanese App & Course Reviews — honest, tested reviews to help you choose the right learning tools without wasting money
- Japanese Culture & Anime — learn real Japanese through the content you already love
Who This Site Is For
NihongoStarter is built for anyone learning Japanese from scratch. Whether you’re studying for the JLPT N5 exam, learning for travel, exploring the language through anime and manga, preparing to work or study in Japan, or simply self-studying from home because traditional classroom learning is too expensive or rigid — you’re in exactly the right place.
No prior Japanese knowledge required. No expensive textbooks. No confusing linguistic jargon. Just clear, structured, free guides that work.
Our Promise to You
Every article on NihongoStarter is:
- Accurate — carefully researched, verified against trusted Japanese language references, and written by someone who has personally studied and passed official Japanese exams
- Beginner-friendly — written in plain English with no assumed prior knowledge
- Free — always. Language learning should be accessible to everyone, everywhere
- Honest — when we review apps or courses, we give you our genuine opinion based on real testing, not paid promotions
Let’s Learn Japanese Together
I went from knowing zero Japanese to passing two official PJC Bridge exams in under two months. With the right structure and consistent practice, you can do the same.
Start with hiragana. Follow the guides. Practice every day. And remember — every expert in Japanese was once exactly where you are right now.
Start your Japanese journey here — read our complete Hiragana guide →
Have a question or want to share your Japanese learning story? I’d love to hear from you. Contact us here →
Md Sharif Mia is the founder of NihongoStarter.com and a certified PJC Bridge B+ level Japanese language learner. He is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and teaches Japanese to beginners worldwide through free online guides.
