YouTube is a global video-sharing platform with creators all over the world. It’s the perfect place to get free naturally spoken, native input with visual context. Whether you just started learning Japanese or are advanced, with millions of hours of content, there’s something for everyone on YouTube.
Japanese YouTube Account
To create the best immersion environment, you should start by making a new YouTube account that is only for watching videos in your target language. If you don’t have a second Google account that you can use for this, I suggest following the instructions linked below for creating a Google account that will also allow you to access the Japanese Google Play Store and Japanese apps. Once you have an account you’d like to use, find a few YouTube channels in your target language to subscribe to, you can find some channels to start with below. Only subscribe to channels in your target language. When a video appears on your home page in a language other than Japanese, click on the three dots that appear under the video and select “don’t recommend channel.” For more details on this, watch the video below. You can also use Trancy or Language Reactor to help you understand videos as you watch them. Click the link below if you’re not already familiar with them.
Beginner
YouTube channels at the beginner level are mostly simple, immersive content for Japanese learners. These videos are educational and easy to follow, so they are great for getting used to listening to Japanese.
Japanese Ammo with Misa
Misa has a large library of grammar and vocabulary explanation videos, as well as listening practice videos. Her content offers English support and translations, so they are great for beginners.
Onomappu
Onomappu’s videos are mostly in Japanese, but easy to understand since he uses simple vocabulary and grammar. He offers subtitles on all his videos, and you can use Trancy if you have trouble understanding the words or sentences he uses.
Miku Real Japanese
Miku makes videos in natural, easy-to-understand Japanese for listening practice and immersion. The videos have Japanese and English subtitles, so you can get dual input as you watch her videos.
Japanese Immersion with Asami
Asami’s approach to Japanese teaching is entirely focused on immersion. She doesn’t provide English in her videos and instead uses images and puppets to help with comprehension. Her videos are recorded lessons of her with other students, but you can pause the video before the student answers and try to come up with your own answer.
Intermediate
At the intermediate level, it’s time to start moving away from content with English subtitles or translations. Even if you don’t fully understand it, you should at least passively be listening to content that is fully in Japanese. This will help you get used to the way Japanese is spoken, and you’ll pick up new words through context.
Meshclass Japanese
Meshclass Japanese is an educational channel with videos on grammar and vocabulary entirely in Japanese. Their videos do have English subtitles, but I recommend using a program like Trancy, to help you with what you don’t understand in Japanese.
Nihongo no Mori
Nihongo no Mori offers grammar and vocabulary videos for intermediate to advanced learners. The channel is informative and easy to understand.
Mahito-Kun and Others
Mahito-kun and YouTubers similar to him are great for beginners because their content is simple and aimed at a younger audience. Mahito-kun in particular makes mostly Minecraft and Animal Crossing Let’s Plays with Japanese subtitles provided. However, this content may not be enjoyable for everyone because of the audience it targets.
Naru-chan
Narumi is a Japanese vlogger who lives in the US and documents her life and experiences living abroad. Her videos mostly focus on lifestyle and American culture from a Japanese perspective. Her Japanese is easy to understand because she mostly talks about daily topics, and she provides Japanese subtitles on her videos.
Advanced
At the advanced level, it’s time to start watching fully native content that covers a larger variety of topics. Below are channels I find useful, but I encourage you to find channels that you like on your own as well.
Kiyo
Kiyo is one of the most popular Let’s Players in Japan. His high-energy and engaging videos are easy to watch and immerse yourself in. Because his videos are so long, they are great for putting on in the background when you are doing another task that doesn’t require full attention.
Hololive
Hololive is the main channel of a virtual YouTuber network composed of dozens of different V-Tuber personalities. They mostly do live streams but will also post music videos and skits. If you like a specific personality, you can also follow their personal YouTube channel to watch more content from them.
Snow Man
Snow Man is an idol group that posts videos of various members playing games or going on outings. The videos are chill and the games are interesting, so this is a really fun channel to watch.
Heisei Flamingo
Heisei Flamingo is a comedy channel run by Niko and Riho who make a variety of content including, skits, pranks, trying unusual activities, and vlogs.
Tokai On Air
Tokai On Air is a variety show-like YouTube channel where the six members partake in a variety of ridiculous and hilarious challenges. The channel is a lot of fun, and if you’ve ever seen clips of crazy Japanese TV shows, that’s what this channel is like.
HikakinTV
Hikakin is one of the most popular Youtubers in Japan with almost 20 million subscribers. He originally started as a beatboxer and now makes a wide variety of content including gaming, vlogs, and challenges.
SUSHI RAMEN
Riku is well known for his many viral, over-the-top videos where he creates insane contraptions and scenarios. His videos have a high production value and each one is more crazy than the last.
Nakata University
Nakata University is great if you’re looking for a challenge and would like to learn something. His videos are well-produced and his explanations of complex topics are clear and enjoyable. If you like learning new things, this is a great channel.
