Tofugu's Learn Hiragana & Katakana Guides
Free mnemonic guides that get you reading hiragana and katakana in a weekend.
CoursesWebsitesFreeBeginnerA1
What it actually is
Two long-form articles with a mnemonic and a practice sheet for every character, plus a spaced-out study schedule you can follow in a couple of days. This is the standard first step almost every serious Japanese learner is pointed at, and it costs nothing. Do these before touching any app — kana first is not optional, and romaji-based courses will slow you down later.
What it covers
- Reading
- Writing
- Pronunciation