N4

With a reading comprehension comparable to the JLPT N4 you are able to read texts on everyday life and similar familiar topics. Appropiate texts for you will use typical textbook vocabulary and easy to comprehend grammar. Under these conditions however, you will be able to read longer stories like fairy tales, some news and blog articles and even some simple manga.

Reading on this level will broaden your vocabulary further and introduce you to new original stories and interesting articles. If a text is too difficult or boring, just pick the next one!

Simple Stories with reading level

Many sites use the reading levels as defined by the NPO Tagengo Tadoku. For those with reading abilities similar to JLPT N4 the appropiate level is level 2.

• Tadoku Graded Readers – fiction and non-fiction, downloadable pdf, audio
• YomuJP (Nihongo Tadoku Dōjō) – non-fiction, read in browser, audio
• Sakura Tadoku Lab – registration required, fiction and non-fiction
• Tongari Books – fiction, read in browser
• Easy Japanese Literature – by Miyagi Gakuen, literary works in pre-intermediate Japanese
• NHK Japanese lessons – dialog & cultural info in easy Japanese, video, downloadable pdf
• Japan Foundation Kansai (currently under construction)
• Dr. Dru’s Lab – project to teach reading without translating
• Nihongo Tokuhon – just one story at the moment, downloadable pdf
• Yomimono Ippai – fiction and non-fiction, varying difficulty
• Smith College’s Tadoku Project – stories written by learners
• Malaysia Books Tadoku Project – stories written by learners
• Tadoku Unri – stories written by learners
• Mongolia Nihongo Tadoku Project – stories written by learners

Blog Articles

• Matcha Easy – lifestyle magazine matcha in easy Japanese
• Nihongoschool Nihongoblog – blog by a Japanese language teacher living in UK
• Meika Sensei’s Easy Japanese Blog – blog by a Japanese language teacher
• J-Test 今月(こんげつ)の話題(わだい) – monthly texts on current topics with comprehension quiz, for lower intermediate and upper intermediate, downloadable pdf
• Hirogaru Nihongo – by The Japan Foundation; information on Japanese culture with small comprehension quizzes
• Nippontalk – Japanese with English translations, no longer updated
• WatanoC (わたのしい) – lifestyle blog, look for N4 tag

Getting started with reading Manga

• Manga Expressions by Scene – four manga genre with typical dialog to get to know expressions, with audio options and translations
• Crystal Hunters – manga in easy Japanese with additional explanations to download
• Wasabi: ブラックジャックによろしく – Manga ブラックジャックによろしく with translations
• Japan Foundation: エリンが挑戦(ちょうせん) – Manga download, originally a series of video lessons by The Japan Foundation. This manga is read from left to right!

Fairytales, Folklore and Picture Books

• Wasabi: Fairy Tales and Short Stories with audio options and translations
• NHK: こくご: おはなしのくに with videos and downloadable pdf
• Ehon Hiroba free picture books

These are my recommendations for N4 readers: