What should you study after kana?

Once hiragana and katakana feel familiar, keep the habit small and regular: review kana, add beginner vocabulary, begin grammar, and gradually introduce listening and real Japanese reading.

Make kana automatic

Use short PlayKana rounds until you can recognize the basic rows without translating every character back through romaji.

Move from symbols to sentences

Start a beginner course that combines grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Use free reference material

Tofugu’s kana guides and NHK’s Easy Japanese course are useful next steps for review, practical conversations, and listening.

Find people carefully

Communities are useful for accountability and study questions. Verify explanations against a reliable textbook or teacher.