Best Japanese Kanji Workbook (2026): 5 Picks for JLPT Study

The best japanese kanji workbook matches the book to the learner: a beginner needs stroke order and practice rows, while a JLPT student needs the right kanji level and steady review. We compared ten books on kanji coverage, lessons, practice material and edition.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Kanji Workbook by Hadamitzky	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Kanji for Beginners by Stout	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Remembering Kanji 1 by Heisig	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Hiragana and Katakana by Henshall	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Look and Learn Book by Banno	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Kanji Workbook by Hadamitzky

Wolfgang Hadamitzky·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A one-volume workbook covering 92 kana and 617 kanji with 3,000+ words, for self-study, homeschool and JLPT N5 to N3.

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Pros

• 92 kana and 617 kanji plus 3,000+ vocabulary words in one volume
• Stroke order guides, radical breakdowns and two indexes
• Suits JLPT N5 to N3, the AP exam and self-study

Cons

• No online audio or flashcards stated, unlike the Stout book
• 617 kanji in 288 pages means dense pages for beginners
• 2017 edition; no newer edition stated

2

Kanji for Beginners by Stout

Timothy G. Stout·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A lesson-based beginner book teaching 430 kanji in 44 lessons, with audio and printable flashcards.

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Pros

• 44 lessons teach 430 kanji with audio and printable flashcards
• Kanji match those in the major Japanese textbooks
• Built for the AP Japanese exam as well as classes

Cons

• Fewer kanji than the Hadamitzky workbook's 617
• Beginner focus; N3 learners will outgrow it
• 2017 edition; no newer edition stated

3

Remembering Kanji 1 by Heisig

James W. Heisig·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A classic method book teaching kanji meanings and writing through stories built from component parts.

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Pros

• 490 pages on one method: stories from primitive elements
• Includes the 196 general-use kanji approved in 2010
• Book 1 of 3; readings continue in a separate volume

Cons

• Meanings and writing only; no readings in this volume
• A story method, not a practice workbook
• 2011 edition is the latest stated

4

Hiragana and Katakana by Henshall

Kenneth G. Henshall·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A kana-only starter for self-study learners, with stroke-by-stroke guides for all 92 hiragana and katakana characters.

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Pros

• Stroke-by-stroke guides and writing practice sheets for all 92 kana
• Online audio for pronunciation, as the listing states
• At 128 pages, it is a short, focused start

Cons

• Published August 5, 2014 as a 2nd edition, and the listing states no newer edition year
• Covers only the kana, so kanji and grammar need a second book
• No answer key is stated in the listing

5

Look and Learn Book by Banno

ERI BANNO·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A companion workbook to the Kanji Look and Learn textbook, practicing kanji and words in sentences.

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Pros

• Pairs with the Kanji Look and Learn text
• Japanese edition from the Japan Times
• Practices kanji in sentences, not in isolation

Cons

• Needs the companion textbook to make full sense
• 2009 edition is the oldest stated here
• Less stated content than the Tuttle workbooks

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More picks to compare

• Kanji Made Easy N4 by Lingo MasteryA JLPT N4 workbook covering 200 kanji with stroke order practice and audio exercises.Check on Amazon
• N5 Kanji Workbook by TanakaAn all-in-one N5 workbook with stroke order diagrams, practice rows and cut-out flashcards.Check on Amazon
• Your First 100 Kanji by TamakiA beginner N5 workbook with 100 kanji, writing exercises and a companion learning app.Check on Amazon
• Kanji for Beginners by TachibanaA gentle N5 workbook teaching 119 kanji with stroke order guides and review sections.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the kanji learner, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. None states a reading age or grade level, so the ranking comes from the other three. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best japanese kanji workbook

Match the kanji count to your level

A beginner working toward JLPT N5 wants a few hundred well-drilled kanji, while an N3 student needs a bigger set. The Hadamitzky workbook covers 617 kanji across N5 to N3; the Stout book teaches 430 kanji for N5 and N4 in 44 lessons.

Decide how you want to practice

The Stout book includes online audio and printable flashcards, while the Banno workbook practices kanji inside sentences rather than alone. For home study, browse the homeschool curriculum lists for companions.

Before you buy

• Check the edition or publication date; the picks run from 2009 to 2017.
• The Heisig book is Book 1 of 3; readings come in a separate volume.
• Confirm the kanji count and whether audio or flashcards are included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which kanji workbook should a beginner start with?

The Stout book teaches 430 kanji in 44 lessons with audio and flashcards; the Hadamitzky workbook adds kana and 3,000+ words.

Do these workbooks teach kanji readings?

The Hadamitzky and Stout books include readings and meanings; the Heisig book teaches meanings and writing only, with readings in a separate volume.

Which workbook has the most writing practice?

One workbook lists over 150 pages of writing practice, with practice rows on every character page plus 39 full pages of extra practice. The Hadamitzky book also includes a dedicated writing area in each chapter.

Still deciding? Our top pickKanji Workbook by Hadamitzky

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Related lists

See every Homeschool Curriculum list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

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