Welcome to the Recommended Reading page.

The materials on this page are all recommended for the study of Japanese. Pick a category at the left or scroll down the page to find something that fits your interests and skill level.

Most of the materials have links to be able to buy them from the Amazon.com site. Some materials, however, are available only on the Amazon.co.jp site. Accordingly, you will need a nickname and password for Amazon.co.jp (you can't just use your Amazon.com ID). There's no need to create an account first; you can do when you place your first order online.

First, click on the title you want from below. If the link is to an Amazon.co.jp page, the page that comes up will be in Japanese. If you want to purchase the book, click on the shopping cart icon. Then choose the 'Would you like to see this page in English?' link. The page will still be in Japanese but checkout will then be in English.

Don't see what you're looking for? Try searching Amazon.com or Amazon.co.jp.

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Random House Japanese - English, English - Japanese Dictionary

Kodansha's Furigana Japanese - English, English - Japanese Dictionary

This dictionary provides a basic vocabulary of 30,000 entries . This dictionary does not use romanization. All the kanji in the dictionary has furigana (small kana scripts) to show the pronunciation. The entries in the Japanese-English section are listed in their proper Japanese order. One of the features of this dictionary is that it has many example sentences in order to help understand proper context for the words. Even the beginner who is familiar with the kana scripts should have no problem using this dictionary.

Kodansha's Kanji Learner's Dictionary

Trying to learn kanji? This kanji dictionary can help. The book includes five different ways to look up kanji. Even if you don't know the pronunciation of the kanji, you can look up the kanji using the simple 'SKIP' method used in this dictionary. All the Joyo kanji are included as well as special name kanji.

Each character's core meaning is given along with lots of examples. Stroke order, ON and KUN readings, applicable name readings, and place in the Joyo kanji is also given for each character.

Random House Japanese - English, English - Japanese Pocket Dictionary

This dictionary provides over 20,000 entries entries . It is a condensed version of the regular Random House dictionary. With dimensions of 0.94 x 5.64 x 3.22 inches and a durable plastic cover, it's a good 'go anywhere' dictionary.

Kana Cards

These are flash cards that contain all the basic kana characters. On the front of each card is a kana character including stroke order description. On the back is the corresponding pronunciation.
Kana Cards are bound together by a small ring so cards can be added or removed as needed. They have a plastic cover on the front and back for durability.

Tuttle Kanji Cards

If flash cards are more your style for learning then try them for kanji. This (the first of two sets) includes 440 kanji to learn.

On one side of the cards is a kanji, some useful compounds for the kanji and the number of strokes it has. The other side contains the romanized readings and definitions of the kanji and keywords on the front. This side also contains the stroke order.

Tuttle Kanji Cards II

If flash cards are more your style for learning then try them for kanji. This (the second of two sets) includes 566 kanji to learn.

On one side of the cards is a kanji, some useful compounds for the kanji and the number of strokes it has. The other side contains the romanized readings and definitions of the kanji and keywords on the front.

Kanji Study Cards

If flash cards are more your style for learning then try them for kanji. There are 2042 kanji cards and almost 60 empty cards for making your own flash cards. Unlike the Tuttle cards it uses katakana and hiragana for on and kun readings respectively. There is also at least one compound example with space provided should you wish to add more.

Schaum's Outline of Japanese Vocabulary

This book presents vocabulary in the context of real-life situations. The book has practice exercises with complete answers. The book also includes tips on Japanese customs to familiarize readers with necessary protocol. Japanese-to-English and English-to-Japanese glossaries help explian differences between Japanese words and phrases and their English counterparts.

It is helpful in that it provides essential words not often used in textbooks, but it's not for the complete beginner as knowlede of grammar structures is necessary for using the book properly.

Schaum's Outline of Japanese Grammar

This book presents the basic grammar covered in most first year Japanese classes. All of the examples are given in hiragana/katakana/kanji, with a romanized and an English translation.

Careful though as the book does seem to have some typos.

Japanese Verbs and Essentials of Grammar

This one doesn't have a lot of examples, but it is a compact guide to verb endings (conjugations) and essential pieces of Japanese grammar. It is very useful for looking up what a conjugated verb means.

The book uses only romanized characters.

Grandpa's Town

This is the story of a boy named Yuuta who is worried about his grandfather. The story is in both simple Japanese (no kanji only kana) and English.

Olivia

This is a Japanese translation of the story of a precocious young pig named Olivia. The story is in Japanese (no kanji only kana).

Meitantei Conan (Detective Conan)

The Meitantei Conan series is good for intermediate students who enjoy murder mysteries. Each book contains several chapters that follow the story of Edogawa Conan, a famous highschool-age detective whose body has been altered by devious criminals.

All kanji in these books have furigana (small kana scripts that run next to the kanji) so knowledge of kanji is not required.