Why I Started Studying JLPT: My Journey to Learning Japanese

Why I started studying JLPT is deeply connected to my childhood experiences in Japan. I first visited the country when I was 8 or 9 years old, and even at that young age, I was captivated. The people were kind, the streets were clean, and the little shops were charming. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, and those memories stayed with me. This early exposure sparked a fascination with Japanese culture that would stay in the background of my life for years before eventually resurfacing in a meaningful way.

The Movie That Started It All

One day, my dad brought home a VCR tape, and that moment changed everything. The animated movie featured a giant fluffy creature helping a young girl find her sister. I didn’t understand the language, but I was completely fascinated. I watched it over 20 times, trying to absorb every detail. Years later, I learned that the movie was My Neighbor Totoro (1988) by Studio Ghibli. That realization made me reflect on how much of an impact this film had on me. It wasn’t just a cute story—it was my first real connection to Japanese culture.

That one film ignited my curiosity. I started watching more Studio Ghibli movies, such as Castle in the Sky and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Each film transported me to a world so different from mine, yet somehow familiar. I didn’t just watch them; I studied them, taking in the way the characters spoke, the music, and the hand-drawn animation that gave each scene so much warmth.

Ghibli films stand out not just for their storytelling but for their ability to evoke deep emotions through their breathtaking aesthetics and magical worlds. The fantasy elements stimulate curiosity, drawing viewers into immersive settings filled with wonder and adventure. The wonderful soundtracks composed by Joe Hisaishi enhance the storytelling, making each scene even more memorable. Beyond that, the films often carry thought-provoking themes about nature, resilience, and human connection, making them enjoyable for both children and adults alike.

Eventually, my interest in Japanese animation grew beyond just Studio Ghibli. I explored other anime series, becoming immersed in the vibrant world of Japanese storytelling.

Discovering the Richness of Japanese Culture

As I watched more anime, I started to pick up on certain words and phrases that characters used often. I noticed how some expressions came up again and again, and I even started recognizing a few hinagara from the subtitles. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but this was my first real step toward learning Japanese.

Beyond just the language, anime also introduced me to different aspects of Japanese culture. I became curious about things like cherry blossoms and why they were so special, or why tea ceremonies seemed so important. I also noticed how much respect people showed in their speech and actions. These little details made me want to learn more about Japan and its traditions.

This growing interest led me to explore more aspects of Japanese culture beyond anime. I started searching more about Japanese food, traditional buildings, and cultural festivals. Learning about dishes like sushi, ramen, and okonomiyaki made me appreciate the rich food culture, while discovering traditional architecture such as shrines and ryokan inns deepened my fascination with Japan’s aesthetic and historical roots. I began following travel blogs and watching documentaries about Japan, further deepening my appreciation for the country. Each new discovery fueled my passion even more, and I felt an increasing desire to connect with Japan on a deeper level.

The Challenge of Kanji and Life’s Shifts

However, as I got older, life began to shift. The carefree days of anime marathons were replaced with the pressures of high school. Studying took priority, and while I still indulged in anime occasionally, it became more of a rare treat. It was during this time that I realized my listening skills in Japanese were better than I had thought. I had signed up for a beginner-level Japanese class, and to my surprise, I found myself understanding the material quite well. My years of watching anime had unknowingly given me a foundation in the language.

But despite my growing interest, one thing held me back—Kanji. The complexity of the characters felt overwhelming. I convinced myself that it was too difficult, and I gave up before I even really began. My formal Japanese studies came to a halt, and I moved on to other things.

As I transitioned into adulthood, life became busier. College, work, and eventually starting a family consumed most of my time. My interests took a backseat to responsibilities, and learning Japanese became a distant memory. I assumed it was something I had missed my chance to pursue seriously.

Even though I had always been passionate about Japanese culture, I found myself prioritizing work deadlines and family responsibilities over personal interests. The days felt shorter, and any free time I had was spent recovering from exhaustion. I often thought about picking up my studies again, but the idea of finding time seemed impossible. There were moments when I would hear Japanese spoken in a show or read a phrase in passing, and it would stir something inside me, but I would quickly brush it off, thinking that phase of my life was over.

Rediscovering Japanese Through the JLPT

One day, during a rare moment of downtime, I was browsing YouTube and stumbled upon a video of someone studying for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). It immediately caught my attention. Seeing someone actively preparing for the test triggered memories of my own experiences with Japanese and made me wonder: What would it be like to reconnect with the language and culture that had once fascinated me?

The idea of taking the JLPT felt exciting and intimidating at the same time. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but something inside me felt ready to try again. This time, however, I approached it differently.

Instead of setting unrealistic expectations, I made a commitment to study in small, manageable chunks. Even if I only had 30 minutes a day, I knew it was better than nothing. I reminded myself that learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint.

I realized that preparing for the JLPT would give me a clear target to work towards. Each level of the test adds a certain level of complexity, making it feel like a step-by-step approach rather than just vaguely studying Japanese. It provided structure, which helped me stay motivated.

One of the best things about the JLPT is that it sets clear expectations for what I need to learn at each stage. Instead of feeling lost in an endless sea of vocabulary and grammar, I could focus on specific goals, making studying feel more manageable.

Additionally, there were plenty of great books and videos on YouTube specifically designed for JLPT self-study. Having these resources readily available made it easier to create a study plan and measure my progress along the way. I could watch explanations of tricky grammar points, follow along with example sentences, and even take practice quizzes to test my knowledge. With so many study materials available, I never felt like I was learning in isolation.

Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated

As an adult learner, I faced different challenges than I did as a student. I had limited time, and self-discipline was crucial. To stay motivated, I set small goals, such as mastering 30 vocabs each day or listening to a podcast in Japanese while commuting. Progress was slow, but consistent effort made a difference.

To help keep myself accountable, I bought a Hobonichi planner specifically for my JLPT studies. I used it to log my daily progress, write down new vocabulary, and track grammar points that needed review. Having a physical record of my efforts made it easier to stay motivated. Looking back at previous entries reminded me how much I had learned, which encouraged me to keep going even when studying felt difficult. Seeing the pages fill up with notes and progress gave me a tangible sense of achievement, making the journey even more rewarding.

The Joy of Understanding Japanese Content

One of the most rewarding moments came when I watched a Japanese drama and realized I could understand more than I used to without subtitles. I started recognizing words and sentences, even if I couldn’t fully grasp the entire scene. Each time I caught a familiar phrase or understood the meaning of a conversation, it felt incredibly satisfying. The small victories reassured me that my efforts were paying off, and they motivated me to keep improving.

There were moments when I would rewind scenes just to confirm if I had really understood a phrase correctly. Seeing my comprehension improve little by little made me excited to keep going. Even though I still relied on subtitles for the full meaning, recognizing pieces of dialogue gave me a sense of accomplishment. It made all the hard work feel worthwhile and reinforced my commitment to continue learning.

Beyond media, I found myself understanding snippets of real-life conversations when traveling to Japan. Ordering food, asking for directions, and reading signs no longer felt intimidating. Every little success reaffirmed that I was making tangible progress.

Looking Toward the Future

Where does my JLPT journey go from here? It has now been about 10 months since I started studying for the JLPT, and I’m still enjoying it. I’ve come a long way, and while there are still challenges, I feel more confident in my progress. I’ve been focusing a lot on vocabulary, especially with kanji, which was what I was most afraid of when I started. At first, the sheer number of characters felt overwhelming, but I keep reminding myself that it’s okay not to memorize every single one of them at once—I have plenty of time to review and reinforce them as I continue studying.

I plan to continue studying and, eventually, take the test to formally measure my progress. But more than that, I want to keep enjoying the language—through books, conversations, and everyday encounters with Japanese media. I hope to visit Japan again, this time with a stronger command of the language, allowing for deeper interactions and cultural experiences.

For anyone who has ever thought about learning Japanese but felt intimidated, I encourage you to take the first step. You don’t need to be perfect, and you don’t need to rush. Just start, and see where the journey takes you.