My 2026 Beginner Japanese Language Learning Log
My beginner journey to conversational Japanese through the Fuji School and @nikkilearnsjapanese on TikTok!
Disclaimer: I do use affiliate links in this blog meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links I receive commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products that I have heavily researched, tested and loved, and/or used for several years.
I started learning Japanese this year for two reasons that matter deeply to me—an upcoming trip to Japan, and to finally be able to connect with my mom's side of the family in their language. Each week I'll be documenting my lessons through the Fuji School right here on my blog—the learnings, the struggles, and everything in between. And because I learn best by creating, I'm turning those lessons into a growing catalog of study products along the way. First up is my Hiragana Practice Workbook (also available in an ink-saving version), already out and ready for you if you're starting from scratch like me!
Master Hiragana the fun way with this pink, cute, Japanese Hiragana writing practice workbook designed especially for beginners! This beautifully designed resource features clear stroke order labeling for every character, helping learners build proper writing habits from the start.
Perfect for kids, teens, and adults learning Japanese, each page combines adorable kawaii-style visuals with structured practice gridline boxes, making learning Japanese both engaging and easy to follow. Whether you’re studying for school, travel, or personal growth, this workbook provides a strong foundation in reading and writing Hiragana.
Key Features:
Complete Hiragana alphabet with step-by-step stroke order guides (11 pages)
Cute pink aesthetic to make learning fun
Spacious tracing and practice sections
Beginner-friendly layout for fast and confident learning
Extra blank grid practice page
Ideal for homeschool, classroom use, or self-study
Digital download PDF for instant access, unlimited writing practice, and flexibility to print or use digitally
Boost your Japanese skills and write Hiragana with confidence with this fun, visually appealing, printable, reusable, and comprehensive practice workbook. Start your journey into the Japanese language today!
Learn to write Hiragana quickly and correctly with this clean, minimalist Hiragana writing practice workbook. Designed for beginners, this printer-friendly resource includes clear stroke order guides in dark blue for better visibility, helping you build proper writing habits from the start.
This digital download PDF features a mostly black and white layout with subtle dark blue accents in the stroke guides and practice boxes, making it easy o follow while still being ink-efficient and distraction-free.
Perfect for home printing, classroom use, or digital practice on a tablet, this workbook keeps the focus on structured learning while remaining visually clear and easy to use.
Ideal for kids, students, and adults, it provides a simple and effective way to master Japanese Hiragana at your own pace.
Key Features:
Complete Hiragana alphabet (11 pages) with step-by-step stroke order diagrams (highlighted in dark blue)
Minimalist black, white, and blue design for clarity and readability
Instant digital download (PDF)—print or use digitally
Clear tracing and writing practice grids
Beginner-friendly layout for fast and confident learning
Ink-conscious design, perfect for everyday or bulk printing
Great for homeschool, classrooms, and self-study
Build a strong foundation in Japanese writing with this simple, effective, and easy-to-follow Hiragana workbook. Perfect for focused practice without unnecessary distractions!
I have also made an edit below of the textbooks and study materials used in my lessons, as well as any additional resources I find most useful in my learning journey!
Japanese Learning Log | Week 8 — [April, 2026]
Lesson 3 vocab.
Koko, soko, asoko, doko
Kochira, sochira, achira, dochira
Personal Lessons (what clicked or what I am struggling with):
Still have some slip ups of order of operations
On TikTok This Week — @nikkilearnsjapanese
TIME Waymo jams
Coachella throwback
Lesson 3 vocab. review
Most useful phrase for travel
2026 goals
Fun facts about me
One Kanji a day: eki (station)
Japanese Immersion (shows, movies, music):
5 to 9
My Spotify playlist: Nikki’s Japanese Jams
Japanese Learning Log | Week 7 — [April, 2026]
Lesson 3 vocab.
Koko, soko, asoko, doko
Kochira, sochira, achira, dochira
Personal Lessons (what clicked or what am I struggling with):
Lesson 3 vocab is a bit more difficult to memorize
On TikTok This Week — @nikkilearnsjapanese
ReFa Caxa Ray recommendations
Mabo Tofu how-to
Primadonna girl
Kanji learning recommendations
At home meals of the week
Sister wedding dress shopping and Beverly Hills Hotel staycation
Pink Hiragana writing practice blog product
Japanese Immersion (shows, movies, music):
Pretty Proofreader (my favorite so far!)
My Spotify playlist: Nikki’s Japanese Jams
Japanese Learning Log | Week 6 — [April, 2026]
Finished Lesson 2 vocab.
Chigaimasu as “it is different/that is wrong”
Kore, sore, dare, are
Personal Lessons (what clicked or what am I struggling with):
Need to work on order of grammar operations
On TikTok This Week — @nikkilearnsjapanese
Saturday vlog
Study aesthetic
Another Hiragana flashcard review
Lesson 1 and 2 vocab
Easy book recommendations
Japanese Immersion (shows, movies, music):
Pretty Proofreader (my favorite so far!)
My Spotify playlist: Nikki’s Japanese Jams
Japanese Learning Log | Week 5 — [April, 2026]
Lesson 2 vocab.
Kore, sore, are
Japanese comma (、) for listing multiple things “or”
“nan no” as “whose?”
Eigo and Nihongo
Personal Lessons (what clicked or what am I struggling with):
Need to work on recall of lesson 2 vocab.
On TikTok This Week — @nikkilearnsjapanese
About me carousel
Pink macbook wallpaper reveal
Freddo cappuccino how-to
Sparkly mochis
Home meals of the week
Japanese lesson homework
Japanese Immersion (shows, movies, music):
Good Morning Call (had to stop it, lol too much boy crazy desperation)
My Spotify playlist: Nikki’s Japanese Jams
Japanese Learning Log | Week 4 — [March, 2026]
Hiragana practice
Lesson 1 Vocab.
“no” as “‘s”
“mo” as “also”
Age as “-sai”
Personal Lessons (what clicked or what am I struggling with):
Need to work on order of words when using “no” or “‘s”
Need to work on vowels and validating romaji with pronunciation
On TikTok This Week — @nikkilearnsjapanese
Katsu curry and watching Japanese drama
Asking what makeup products to use for a GRWM
Sakura nail art reveal
Skincare eye patches
Japanese GRWM
Spotify playlist: Nikki’s Japanese Jams
Japanese Immersion (shows, movies, music):
Why Didn’t I Tell You a Million Times? (Netflix)
My Spotify playlist: Nikki’s Japanese Jams
Japanese Learning Log | Week 3 — [March, 2026]
Continuing Hiragana stroke orders
Lesson 1 vocab.
Building sentences with nationalities, jobs, “ja arimasen”, and “desu ka”
Personal Lessons (what clicked or what am I struggling with):
Instead of Sensei XX, you say XX Sensei (their name first)
When doing a self-introduction, do not attach -san to your name
On TikTok This Week — @nikkilearnsjapanese
Self-Introduction
Show and tell of my Freddo Cappuccino
Asking about favorite Netflix Japanese shows
Intent/Purpose of Japanese learning journey
Favorite Japanese places/routines in LA
Minna No Nihongo Lesson 1 vocab.
Travel itinerary recommendations
Moodboards
Vlog - Pizza dinner at friend’s
Hiragana flashcard review
Nail design recommendations
Wins & Struggles
I get stuck on a few hiragana when out of order - “ho”, “gi”, “re”, “nu”
Japanese Immersion (shows, movies, music):
Cinderella Closet (Netflix)
An Incurable Case of Love (Netflix)
Japanese Learning Log | Week 2 — [March, 2026]
First official lesson
Learning Hiragana, including stroke orders
Lesson 1 vocab.
Personal Lessons (what clicked, corrections, and/or what am I struggling with):
Completely forgot that Hiragana has specific stroke orders for writing!
On TikTok This Week — @nikkilearnsjapanese
Created my account!
Wins & Struggles
Hiragana is the only thing I slightly retained from Japanese school growing up, but I struggle with a handful when I am recalling out of order.
Japanese Learning Log | Week 1 — [Feb, 2026]
Did a trial lesson through the Fuji School and really enjoyed it!
Thanks for following along! If you're also learning Japanese, drop a comment — I'd love to know where you are in your journey. And follow me on TikTok @nikkilearnsjapanese for weekly clips from my lessons and practice sessions.
