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I’ve loved Japanese music since I was fifteen. Like… deeply loved. The kind of love where a single song can change your whole mood or make your day suddenly feel cinematic.
I’m 34 now, so this is a long-term relationship.
When I was around 25, I tried teaching myself Japanese. Not because I had some grand academic goal, but because I wanted to understand the lyrics I’d been singing for a decade. And honestly? I wanted to eventually see my favorite artists live and not just scream phonetically into the void.
That attempt lasted maybe a couple months.
Classic me.
Then at 29, I tried again, this time seriously. I stuck with it for about two years before I dropped it. And that drop wasn’t about difficulty. It was about life, burnout, inconsistency, and the classic “I’ll get back to it next week” lie we tell ourselves.
Now here I am, 34, rebuilding my life and hunting for hobbies that actually stick. And Japanese is right back at the top of the list again.
So here’s why I’m relearning Japanese in my 30s, why it feels different this time, and the tools I’m using to learn Japanese; especially if you’re an overwhelmed adult who wants to start (or restart) without spiraling.
Why I’m Learning Japanese (Again)
Because it makes me happy.
That’s it. That’s the reason.
Not for work.
Not for school.
Not to be “productive.”
Just because I genuinely love manga and Japanese music.
Plus, I still want to go to concerts in Japan one day and understand more than three words.
My Realistic, Adult-Learner Approach
Adult brains don’t have the luxury of 5-hour study sessions or infinite motivation. We get:
• 20 minutes before bed
• half an hour in the morning
• a lunch break
• one random weekend where you’re not mentally fried
So I’m designing my study around adult reality, not TikTok study-aesthetics.
Here’s what I’m using (and why). These were the tools that actually worked for me.
1. Genki I + II (Textbooks & Workbooks)
These are the best structured starting point.
My old routine:
• 1 lesson per week (there are 13 lessons per textbook)
• 1–2 days per grammar point (there are 3-5 grammar points per lesson)
• Textbook exercises
• Learn vocab
• Reread + shadow until it stuck
It worked. Slowly, but consistently.
Genki I Workbook | Genki II Workbook – good if you want extra practice, but I personally don’t think the workbooks are necessary.
Genki I + II Textbook and Workbook Bundle – cheaper than buying separately
Free alternative: Tae Kim’s guide – solid grammar explanations if you’re on a tight budget
2. Tobira (After Genki)
This is my “next level” plan.
If Genki is like school…
Tobira is like being politely thrown into a real conversation.
But in a good way.
3. Anki (Flashcards That Actually Stick)
Anki saved me last time.
Spaced repetition bullies your brain into remembering things long-term.
I use:
• a Genki premade deck
• a custom vocab deck
15–30 minutes a day is enough.
Anki: AnkiMobile – Apple App Store | Ankidroid – Google play
4. Shadowing Books
These are SO underrated.
Shadowing made my pronunciation and rhythm SO much better.
And the books come with downloadable audio!
Shadowing – Let’s speak Japanese – Beginner to Intermediate
5. LingoDeer (App)
DuoLingo is cute.
LingoDeer is actually useful. HOWEVER, you do have to pay to use it – was not like this prior to 2020 but you know how it goes. I still thinks it’s worth the money, if you want to use this to really drill in the grammar points.
Perfect alongside Genki.
LingoDeer – Apple App Store | Google Play
6. Kokuyo Campus Notebooks
Holy grail stationery.
Smooth paper, clean lines, and feels elite without being expensive. Perfect for practicing kanji and making sure your characters are flowing well.
Kokuyo Campus Notebook Grid Ruled
Kokuyo Japanese Kanji Practice Notebook
7. Japanese Short Stories for Beginners
These built my confidence.
Short, doable, and not overwhelming.
Japanese Short Stories for Beginners
8. Immersion (The Fun Part)
Every night I watch something in Japanese:
• Terrace House
• Aggretsuko
• J-dramas
And music of course. Always music.
9. HelloTalk
Awkward at first.
Embarrassing sometimes.
Helpful always.
People were surprisingly kind.
Hello Talk – Apple App Store | Google Play
10. Japanese Ammo with Misa
Her explanations? Top tier.
If I was confused, I ran to her videos.
Her YouTube page is a literal goldmine.
My Advice for Overwhelmed Adult Learners
You don’t need motivation.
You need habits that fit your actual life.
• 10 minutes a day is enough
• One lesson a week is enough
• One show, one song, one notebook session — enough
You’re not in school.
You’re building a hobby.
Why I Believe It’ll Stick This Time
Because I’m learning Japanese as the person I am now , not the version I wished I was at 25.
Now I have:
• better routines
• clearer goals
• healthier self-awareness
• more structure
• more patience
• hobbies that actually feel like me
If you’re another overwhelmed adult trying to learn Japanese too, stick around. I’ll be sharing:
• weekly study logs
• real progress
• tools that work
• what to avoid
• and the emotional side of restarting something you quit
Let me know what you all have been or plan on doing on this path Japanese fluency!