Just for Fun: Videos and Songs
For when you need a break from studying, but still want to learn. The links on here were chosen specifically for learning Japanese in a more subtle manner than with a textbook. Try them out! All links open in a new window. If you have any ideas for additional pages, please send them to me and I will add them.
WARNING: Some of these songs may get stuck in your head. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the Japanese will stick in there as well!
WARNING: Some of these songs may get stuck in your head. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the Japanese will stick in there as well!
Games
Hiragana Tiles (requires download)
Mahjong type game with hiragana tiles.
Nifty Kids Japan
An online site for games. The entire site is in Japanese (you will need to be able to read katakana). There are different categories of games (adventure, puzzle, shooter etc.). Have fun exploring--you never know what you might learn.
Digital Dialects
A series of games on various topics, not all of which are covered in our book.
The Hiragana Game
Match the hiragana symbol with its romaji reading. (Does not cover diacritical marks or blends).
The Complete Hiragana Reviewer
Contains all 104 sounds, including diacritical marks and blends. You can view top scores and even share your score on your blog or Facebook page.
The Katakana Game
Same as the hiragana game, but with katakana.
The Complete Katakana Reviewer.
Same as the hiragana version.
Pinch Karuta (Hiragana)
The page and game are entirely in Japanese. To play, click the card that corresponds to the first symbol in the sentence that appears below. (Don't worry if you can't read the whole sentence--just look at the first symbol)
Stackana
A tetris type game involving matching the kana with their romaji equivalents. Takes some getting used to.
The Shopping Game
Practice your numbers above 100. Ideal for chapter 2 in Genki.
The Gesture Game
Guess the meaning of different Japanese hand gestures.
Shiritori
A vocab game where you must come up with a word whose first sound is the same as the last sound in the previous word. Suitable for high beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Particle Millionaire
A game similar to "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," but with particles.
Particle Game
Another multiple choice game on particles.
KanjiPal
Choose your level from beginner to advanced
Anime-Manga Kanji Game
A bit more advanced, but a fun way to learn characters that show up in anime and manga.
Videos and Songs
Studies have shown that silliness, mnemonic devices and "songs getting stuck in one's head" are effective learning tools. I can't guarantee that these won't get stuck in your head, but luckily, the Japanese will get stuck in there too. If you love the songs that much, some of them are available on I-Tunes or downloadable from the website as MP3 files.
The Aisatsu Song (The Greeting Song)"
Doko Kara Kimashita Ka?" (The Origins Song)
The A-I-U-E-O Song
Hiragana with Diacritical Marks Song
A-I-U-E-O Bushi with your host, Kuchi!
The Counting Song (numbers from 1-20)
"Ikura Desuka?" (The Money Song)
The Aisatsu Song (The Greeting Song)"
Doko Kara Kimashita Ka?" (The Origins Song)
The A-I-U-E-O Song
Hiragana with Diacritical Marks Song
A-I-U-E-O Bushi with your host, Kuchi!
The Counting Song (numbers from 1-20)
"Ikura Desuka?" (The Money Song)