Acquiring Japanese proficiency requires sustained effort—it’s a gradual process, not an overnight achievement. But even the longest journey becomes achievable when you have a clear map. Without direction, many learners drift between apps, textbooks, YouTube videos, and random vocabulary lists, learners reach a stage where progress slows—they can understand parts of conversations but still struggle to speak confidently or advance further. Tomodai was built to change that.
Instead of leaving you to piece together your own study plan, Tomodai provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap — from complete beginner to confident communicator. This roadmap is based on the JLPT levels (N5 to N1) and integrates vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading, listening, speaking, quizzes, mock tests, and AI practice into one simple, structured system.
Whether you’re learning for travel, work, study abroad, or personal passion, Tomodai guides you through every stage.
Why Having a Clear Learning Path Is More Important Than You Think
Japanese isn’t a language you can learn by chance. Without a structured path, progress becomes slow and inconsistent.
New learners face information overload
Intermediate learners hit roadblocks
Advanced learners lose focus
and self-learners waste time without progress.
A structured path guides your progress—what to learn, when to review, and how each skill connects— so you always know your next move.
What to learn first,
What to review next,
How each skill builds on the previous one,
When you’re ready to move up, and
How close you are to fluency.
Tomodai’s roadmap isn’t just a syllabus—it’s a complete learning journey built on mastery, active recall, and continuous feedback. Each level reinforces the one before it, creating progress that feels natural and motivating rather than overwhelming.
Stage 1: Absolute Beginner — JLPT N5 Foundation
Your Japanese journey begins with the essentials. Reading the scripts, building core vocabulary, and learning simple grammar patterns that help you understand and create basic sentences.
Tomodai’s N5 stage includes:
Mastery of Hiragana and Katakana
Foundational vocabulary for everyday situations
Basic grammar structures to form simple sentences
Essential kanji for reading and recognition
Listening and speaking practice for real-world communication
1. Script Mastery: ひらがな & カタカナ
Your journey begins with mastering the two essential scripts:
ひらがな (Hiragana) — used for grammar and native Japanese words
カタカナ (Katakana) — used for foreign loanwords like コーヒー (coffee)
This early focus removes reliance on Romaji and builds the foundation for confident reading and writing in Japanese.
2. Beginner Vocabulary & Grammar
Short, focused lessons introduce the building blocks of communication:
Simple sentence patterns for everyday use
Essential particles like は, が, and を
Daily vocabulary lists for practical situations
Basic verbs and adjectives to express actions and descriptions
First set of beginner-friendly kanji for reading confidence
3. Targeted Quizzes for True Understanding
After every lesson, Tomodai reinforces learning with short, focused quizzes that check:
Vocabulary
Kanji
Grammar
Simple reading
Basic listening
Because these quizzes are concise and purposeful, they strengthen retention and deepen understanding—rather than just testing recognition on a screen.
Beginner Milestones
By the end of N5, you will:
Read both Japanese scripts (Hiragana & Katakana)
Understand basic verbs and sentence patterns
Recognize ~100 beginner kanji
Know around 800 essential words
Communicate in simple, everyday situations
Stage 2: Lower Intermediate — JLPT N4 (Building Momentum)
Once you’re comfortable with basic sentences, Tomodai guides you into the N4 stage—where you start combining ideas and expressing yourself in more natural Japanese.
What This Stage Focuses On
At N4, you start building real momentum with:
A larger vocabulary for everyday conversations
Expanded kanji knowledge to boost reading confidence
Grammar that expresses time, intention, ability, and description
Longer reading and listening passages to improve comprehension
Tomodai supports this with:
Structured lessons that connect new concepts to what you already know
Targeted quizzes for active recall and retention
Real-world examples to make grammar and vocabulary stick
Level-Based Lessons
Each lesson builds on what you’ve already learned, introducing:
Connecting grammar to link ideas smoothly
More complex verbs for richer expression
Polite forms for formal situations
Counters for counting objects naturally
Useful conversational expressions to sound more authentic
Reading & Listening Quizzes
N4 takes you beyond isolated words and short phrases. You’ll start reading:
Short paragraphs
Mini-stories
Simple dialogues
And listening to:
Slow, clear conversations
Guided audio exercises
Real-world example clips
Real-World Examples to Make Grammar and Vocabulary Stick
Tomodai brings Japanese to life with examples you’ll actually use:
Everyday conversations like ordering food or asking for directions
Common phrases and expressions for social situations
Practical dialogues for travel, work, and daily life
Authentic sentence patterns drawn from real Japanese usage
Context-based examples so words and grammar feel natural, not memorized
Progress Tracking
With Tomodai’s built-in scoring system, you can clearly see your improvement in:
Grammar
Vocabulary
Kanji
Reading
Listening
This makes it easier to stay motivated and track real progress as you move toward fluency.
Stage 3: Upper Intermediate — JLPT N3 (Connecting the Dots to Fluency)
Most self-learners struggle at this point. N3 is the critical “bridge stage”—too advanced for beginner materials, yet not accessible enough for native Japanese content. Without structured guidance, progress slows and confidence fades. Tomodai turns this challenge into a clear, organized, and achievable path.
What You’ll Master at N3
Advanced Grammar with Nuance – Understand subtle differences in sentence structure and tone.
Expanded Kanji Knowledge – Learn up to 650 characters for deeper comprehension.
Longer Reading Passages – Build stamina for more complex texts.
Faster Listening Segments – Improve speed and accuracy in real-time conversations.
Everyday Conversational Patterns – Speak naturally and confidently in daily situations.
Authentic Sentence Flow – Grasp real-world phrasing used by native speakers.
Integrated Learning at N3
At Tomodai, lessons don’t exist in isolation—they connect. As you progress, you’ll start seeing patterns across:
Kanji
Vocabulary
Grammar
Expressions
Reading Passages
This integration effect transforms knowledge into ability—turning “I know the rules” into “I can understand and speak with confidence.”
Timed Quizzes & Mock Tests
N3 introduces time constraints that mirror real JLPT exam conditions. Practicing under these settings not only sharpens your skills but also builds the confidence you need to perform under pressure.
Mistake-Focused Learning
Every quiz comes with detailed explanations, turning errors into insights. Instead of hitting a dead end, every mistake becomes a stepping stone toward mastery.
Stage 4: Advanced Mastery — JLPT N2 & N1
This is where you move beyond intermediate fluency and into true mastery. At N2 and N1, you’ll tackle complex grammar, nuanced expressions, and advanced reading comprehension—skills that open the door to professional-level Japanese and native-level understanding.
At this stage, you’re not just learning Japanese—you’re refining its subtleties and mastering nuance.
JLPT N2 and N1 open doors to:
University programs in Japan
Career opportunities in Japanese companies
Professional interpretation and translation
High-level business and academic communication
Full integration into professional environments
Advanced Focus Areas
At N2 and N1, your learning goes deeper and sharper. You’ll focus on:
Complex Grammar & Abstract Concepts – Understand subtle structures and advanced sentence patterns.
Natural Expressions & Idiomatic Phrases – Speak like a native with authentic phrasing.
Rapid, Native-Speed Listening – Comprehend fast-paced conversations and media.
Advanced Reading Comprehension – Tackle long, sophisticated texts with confidence.
Deep Kanji Knowledge – Master compounds and nuanced meanings for professional fluency.
Full-Length Mock Tests
Preparing for JLPT N2 or N1 isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about performance under pressure. Tomodai’s mock tests replicate the real exam experience so you know exactly what to expect.
Each test includes:
Vocabulary Section – Assess your word knowledge and usage.
Grammar Section – Test advanced structures and nuanced patterns.
Reading Section – Practice long, complex passages under time constraints.
Listening Section – Train for rapid, native-speed audio comprehension.
Strict Time Limits – Build speed and accuracy under exam conditions.
Scoring & Pass/Fail Indicators – Get a realistic measure of readiness.
These simulations are one of Tomodai’s most powerful tools for advanced learners—helping you reduce anxiety, improve time management, and boost confidence before the real JLPT.
AI Conversation Practice — Turn Knowledge Into Real Speech
Knowing Japanese on paper is one thing. Speaking it naturally is another.
Tomodai’s AI Talk feature gives you unlimited speaking practice with Sensei, your private AI conversation partner. Anytime, anywhere.
You can:
Have natural conversations on any topic
Receive instant corrections for mistakes
Get feedback on pronunciation and grammar
Practice speech styles — casual, polite, and Keigo
Build fluency through repetition without pressure
No scheduling.
No embarrassment.
No stress.
Just practical, real-world speaking practice that accelerates fluency.
Quizzes, Mock Tests & Active Recall — The Secret to Faster Learning
Tomodai is built on active recall, one of the most effective techniques for long-term memory retention. Instead of passive reading, you’ll actively retrieve knowledge—making learning stick.
Here’s how it works:
Targeted Quizzes to strengthen:
Vocabulary
Kanji
Grammar
Reading
Listening
Full JLPT Mock Tests to train:
Speed – Answer accurately under time pressure
Confidence – Reduce exam anxiety through realistic practice
Strategy – Learn how to manage time and prioritize questions
Every answer includes clear explanations, so you don’t just guess—you understand. This approach turns mistakes into insights and accelerates mastery.
Personalized AI Study Plans — Always Know What to Do Next
One of the biggest challenges in learning Japanese is figuring out what to study and when. Tomodai removes the guesswork with AI-powered study plans tailored to your goals.
Here’s how it works:
You enter:
Your current level
Your target level
Your timeline
And Tomodai creates a custom roadmap, including:
Daily tasks to keep you consistent
Weekly targets for measurable progress
Lessons to complete in the right order
Quizzes to reinforce learning
Mock tests scheduled for exam readiness
Smart review reminders to strengthen memory
This eliminates stress and uncertainty, ensuring you stay focused, organized, and on track toward fluency.
Extra AI Tools That Accelerate Learning
Tomodai goes beyond lessons and quizzes with powerful AI features designed to save time and make learning smarter:
AI Quiz Generator
Instantly create custom quizzes for any topic or word list—perfect for targeted practice.AI Kanji Analyzer
Break down kanji into radicals, meanings, readings, and real-world examples for deeper understanding.AI Listening Generator
Convert any text into a listening quiz to sharpen comprehension at your own pace.AI Sentence Checker
Get instant feedback on your Japanese sentences—covering grammar, naturalness, and tone.
These tools eliminate guesswork, simplify study sessions, and make every minute count—so you learn faster and smarter.
Your Complete Path to Japanese Fluency
Tomodai combines everything you need into one seamless system:
✔ Structured JLPT-Aligned Lessons
✔ Targeted Quizzes & Full Mock Tests
✔ AI Conversation Practice for Real Speaking Skills
✔ Personalized Study Plans
✔ Advanced Kanji & Listening Tools
✔ Flexible Pricing — Including a Free Forever Plan
Instead of juggling multiple apps and textbooks, you follow one unified roadmap from N5 to N1, supported at every step by smart tools and real-time feedback.
If you’re ready to stop studying randomly and start progressing with purpose, begin at your current level and let Tomodai guide the rest of your journey.
Fluency isn’t luck. It’s consistency, structure, and the right system.
Tomodai gives you all three.