Structured beginner curriculum
Learn 120 beginner kanji through clear meanings, useful words, and readings in context. Start with the guided lessons, then review the full set in practical topic groups.
This study path begins with familiar ideas such as people, days, numbers, time, movement, and everyday places.
The number on each card keeps the original study sequence visible. The topic sections give you another way to review the same characters.
The 120 characters and their 1–120 order follow the Basic Kanji curriculum. Japan Alphabet keeps that set intact rather than silently substituting a different list found online.
Meanings, readings, and stroke counts were independently checked. Public cards show a small number of useful beginner readings rather than every historical or dictionary reading.
Two guided lessons
The complete grid is a reference. The guided lessons turn its first characters into manageable study sessions.
Kanji lesson 1
Learn the ten basic number characters in two small parts, with useful counters and irregular date readings.
Kanji lesson 2
Use eight core characters in practical time and date expressions.
Jump by topic
Choose a topic to move to its complete cards below. Every character appears in exactly one module.
Complete curriculum
Each compact card shows its place in the study sequence, core meaning, stroke count, and up to two useful beginner readings. Use the module links to move through the list by topic.
16 kanji
Count, tell quantities, and understand basic prices and parts.
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
百
千
万
円
分
半
15 kanji
Talk about days, months, years, weeks, and parts of the day.
日
月
年
週
時
間
今
毎
午
前
後
朝
昼
夕
夜
11 kanji
Describe where things are and which way to go.
上
下
中
右
左
外
東
西
南
北
近
8 kanji
Recognize common kanji for landscapes, weather, and living things.
山
川
天
気
雨
空
花
魚
9 kanji
Build useful words from natural elements, materials, and colors.
火
水
木
土
金
銀
白
赤
紙
9 kanji
Read basic words for people, family, friends, and home.
人
男
女
子
父
母
友
私
家
14 kanji
Recognize kanji used in study, school, reading, writing, and speech.
先
生
学
校
語
話
聞
書
読
言
知
何
名
本
12 kanji
Read common actions and words used while moving through places.
行
来
休
見
入
出
立
歩
走
住
道
駅
11 kanji
Meet kanji used for everyday places, food, transport, and society.
国
食
飲
買
有
会
社
店
車
電
思
10 kanji
Describe size, amount, age, width, price, and safety.
大
小
多
少
長
高
広
安
古
新
5 kanji
Learn five high-frequency kanji for parts of the body.
口
目
手
足
耳
A card's priority readings are a starting point. Learn 月 through words such as 月,月曜日, and一月.
Readings explainedUse broad writing principles to begin, then consult a trustworthy character-specific model when exact order is uncertain. Stroke counts here are factual checks, not invented diagrams.
Stroke-order guidanceCover the English, say one known word, and check. Then reverse the task: see a word and identify the target character. Short mixed sessions expose what needs another look.
Try the first mini reviewsCommon questions
No. The JLPT does not publish a fixed official N5 kanji list. This is Japan Alphabet’s structured 120-kanji beginner curriculum for N5 preparation.
No. Begin with the core meaning and one or two useful words. Add readings when new vocabulary makes them useful.
The JLPT uses language knowledge, reading, and listening sections rather than a handwriting-production section. Writing can still strengthen recognition and memory.
Lesson one
Begin with the first five number characters, check your recall, then add the next five.
