How to Write Japanese: A Beginner's Guide to Kana Practice

Typing is convenient, but writing kana by hand builds far stronger memory — especially early on.

Start with grid paper

Use squared (genkō yōshi style) paper so each character is balanced. Proportion matters as much as shape.

Follow stroke order

Kana have stroke orders too. Correct order makes characters look natural and helps them stick.

A simple routine

1. Trace each character a few times following an animated guide.
2. Write it from memory in a row.
3. Write simple words that use it (かさ, ねこ, すし).
4. Review yesterday''s characters before adding new ones.

Watch the look-alikes

Some kana are easily confused — さ/ち, ぬ/め, は/ほ, シ/ツ, ソ/ン. Practise these pairs side by side.

Twenty minutes of handwriting a day for two weeks will lock in both kana sets for good.