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 those memories stayed with me—kind people, clean streets, and charming little shops. This early exposure sparked a fascination with Japanese culture, eventually leading me back to learning the language and reconnecting with my passion for Japanese culture.

The Movie That Started It All

One day, my dad brought home a VCR tape, and this tape became a turning point. The animated movie featured a giant fluffy creature helping a young girl find her sister. I didn’t understand the language, but I was captivated and watched it over 20 times. Years later, I learned the movie was My Neighbor Totoro (1988). This sparked a lifelong interest in Japanese movies and anime, leading me deeper into the culture.

This movie sparked a fascination with Japanese culture that continued to grow. I started watching other Studio Ghibli films, such as Castle in the Sky and Kiki’s Delivery Service. These films opened a window to a world so different from mine, and I eagerly absorbed every bit of it. Anime became more than just entertainment—it became a way to connect with Japanese culture, and I found myself diving deeper into that world.

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.

Fast forward to adulthood: I graduated, started my career, got married, and eventually became a mother. My life changed drastically with the arrival of my child. Suddenly, I found myself juggling work, household responsibilities, and the demands of motherhood. Hobbies and personal interests were pushed aside as I navigated this new chapter of life.

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 triggered memories of my earlier encounters with Japanese. I began to wonder what it would be like to reconnect with the language and culture that had once fascinated me.

Despite the busyness of motherhood, I felt a strong desire to give it another try. Studying for the JLPT became my way of reclaiming a passion that had been buried beneath the responsibilities of adulthood. This time, I approached it differently. I didn’t set strict deadlines or pressure myself to study for hours on end. Instead, I made a commitment to study in small, manageable chunks. Even 30 minutes a day was progress, and that was enough for me.

It has now been about 10 months since I started studying for the JLPT again, and I’m still enjoying it. Despite the challenges and occasional setbacks, this journey has been incredibly rewarding. Studying for the JLPT has given me a way to reconnect with a part of myself that I had almost forgotten about. I’m excited to continue this journey and see where it takes me next.