Learning Japanese can cost anywhere from zero to several thousand euros. The difference is made by the resources you choose, not your talent. In this guide you will find the real prices updated to 2026 for each app, book, exam and course — so you can plan your journey without surprises.
Apps and Platforms: Real Prices
Apps are the most used tool for studying Japanese in 2026. But prices vary enormously, and the most expensive is not always the best.
| App | Free Plan | Premium Plan | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanjidon | Yes (generous) | Monthly/annual premium | ~30-50 euro/anno |
| WaniKani | 3 levels for free | $9/month or $299 lifetime | ~$108/year |
| AnkiMobile (iOS) | No | 29.99 euros one-off | 29.99 euros (then free) |
| Anki Desktop/Android | Completely free | - | 0 euros |
| Duolingo | Yes (with ads) | Super 89.99 euros/year | 89.99 euros/year |
| Bunpro | 30 days free | $5.50/month | ~$66/year |
| JapanesePod101 | 7 days free | $4-47/mese | 48-564 $/anno |
| Italki (tutor) | No | 10-30 euro/ora | 520-1.560 euro/anno (1h/sett) |
Note on Anki: the desktop and Android app is completely free, but the iOS version costs 29.99 euros (one-off). It's the only purchase: after that you pay nothing more. The problem with Anki is not the price, but the complexity: it takes hours to set it up.
Kanjidon offers one of the most generous free tiers on this list: you can learn all of the N5 kanji and most of the N4 without spending a cent. Premium unlocks advanced features and all levels up to N1.
Textbooks: The Classics
Despite the apps, books remain fundamental for grammar. Here are the most used ones with updated prices:
| Book | What it covers | Price | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genki I + II | Grammatica N5-N4 | ~110 euros (both) | Beginners, the most used in the world |
| Minna no Nihongo I + II | Grammatica N5-N4 | ~100 euros (both) | Students in Japanese schools |
| Shin Kanzen Master (by level) | Grammatica N3-N1 | ~25 euros each | Advanced JLPT preparation |
| Remembering the Kanji | 2,136 kanji (meanings only) | ~35 euros | Followers of the RTK method |
| Tobira | Intermediate grammar | ~55 euros | Bridge between N4 and N3 |
| Tae Kim's Guide | Grammatica base-intermedia | Free online | Zero budget |
The JLPT Exam: How much it costs per country
The JLPT is held twice a year (July and December) around the world. The cost varies significantly by country.
| Village | Exam cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | ~45 euros (7,500 yen) | The cheapest |
| Italy | 50-60 euro | Locations: Rome, Milan, Naples and others |
| USA | ~$65 | Many locations available |
| Germany | ~60 euros | Offices in main cities |
| UK | 45-55 sterline | London and other cities |
| India | ~16 euros (1,500 INR) | The cheapest ever |
| France | ~60 euros | Paris and other cities |
| Spain | ~60 euros | Madrid, Barcelona |
The cost of the exam does not include transportation and accommodation if the location is far away. Plan ahead: Registration closes months before the exam.
Courses and Schools
If you want a teacher, the options range from affordable to very expensive:
- Online tutor (Italki, Preply): 10-30 euros/hour. Flexible, personal, low cost.
- Structured online courses: 100-500 euros. Good compromise between self-taught and school.
- In-person courses (Italy): 200-800 euros per quarter. Institute of Japanese Culture, universities, private schools.
- Language school in Japan: 3,000-10,000 euros per quarter (excluding accommodation and flights). The nuclear option for those who want total immersion.
- University (Japanese course): often included in tuition fees. If you are a student, it's practically free.
Budget Plan: 3 Realistic Scenarios
Zero Budget: Learn for Free
- Kanjidon free version (kanji N5-N4 with SRS)
- Tae Kim's Guide (free online grammar)
- Anki desktop + free community decks
- NHK World Easy News (free reading)
- Anime with Japanese subtitles (listening)
Total cost: 0 euros. Yes, you can really get started without spending anything. You won't have the structured guidance of a book like Genki, but the free resources available in 2026 are surprisingly comprehensive.
Moderate Budget: ~200 euros/year
- Kanjidon Premium (~40 euros/year)
- Genki I (55 euros) - year 1
- Genki II (55 euros) - year 2
- JLPT N5 (55 euros) - when you feel ready
This is the best value for money. For less than 200 euros in the first year you have a complete kanji app with SRS, the best grammar book in the world, and an official exam to validate your progress.
Full Budget: ~1,500 euros/year
- WaniKani ($299 lifetime) or Kanjidon Premium
- Genki I + II (110 euros)
- Weekly tutor on Italki (15 euros x 52 = 780 euros)
- JLPT fee (55 euros)
- Shin Kanzen Master for your level (25 euros)
- Miscellaneous (dictionaries, Japanese manga, etc.)
With this budget you have everything: apps, books, a private teacher who corrects your mistakes, and exam materials. It is the highest investment but also the fastest route.
The Best Value for Money
If I have to recommend only one investment, it's this: a kanji app with real SRS (free or low cost) + a good grammar book. With these two tools and 30 minutes a day you can go far. The tutor adds enormous value but is not essential in the first months.
The inconvenient truth is that the most expensive factor is not money: it is time. 30 minutes a day for 2-3 years is about 400-550 hours of your life. Make sure you invest them with the right tools. You don't need hundreds of euros to get started. Download Kanjidon, open Tae Kim, and you have everything for the first 6 months. If you want, you can spend the money later — when you know exactly what you need.
