Haruki Yamamoto
Haruki Yamamoto is a language lover, storyteller, and lifelong learner who knows firsthand the joys and challenges of studying Japanese. Born and raised in a bilingual household in the United States, Haruki always felt a connection to his Japanese heritage but admits he didn’t truly embrace the language until later in life. His learning journey was anything but smooth—filled with trial and error, awkward mistakes, and small triumphs like finally ordering ramen without switching to English halfway through!
What sets Haruki apart is his deep understanding of what it’s like to be in the learner’s shoes. He knows the frustration of staring at unfamiliar kanji and the excitement of recognizing a word from your favorite anime. With a knack for breaking down language into approachable steps and a talent for weaving cultural insights into his lessons, Haruki brings Japanese to life in a way that feels relatable and fun.
His teaching philosophy? Learning Japanese should be as magical as discovering a new favorite manga or walking through a torii gate for the first time. Through his books, Haruki creates a space where learners can explore the language, make mistakes without fear, and connect with the rich culture of Japan at their own pace.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Haruki enjoys cooking Japanese comfort food (his miso soup is legendary among friends), binge-watching old Studio Ghibli movies, and visiting the places he writes about—whether it’s a bustling Tokyo street or a quiet bamboo forest.
Haruki believes that language isn’t just a tool for communication—it’s a bridge to understanding ourselves and each other. His mission is to make Japanese learning accessible, joyful, and a little less intimidating, one story at a time.
Tanuki To Ojiisan
Discover a no-barriers approach to learning Japanese with Tanuki to Ojiisan, the ideal reading guide for beginners.
Welcome to Tanuki to Ojiisan, a book specially crafted for those beginning their Japanese learning journey. Perfect for beginners and learners at the N5 level,.
No Barriers – Everything You Need to Start Reading Japanese:
Complete Romanji for Every Japanese Line – No prior knowledge of kana or kanji is required! Romanji is provided alongside the Japanese text, allowing you to focus on understanding and pronunciation from the start.
Comprehensive Vocabulary for Each Section – No need for outside resources! All the vocabulary you need is included, carefully explained and presented to build your understanding as you go.
Detailed Grammar and Line-by-Line Explanations – Tackle Japanese grammar with ease as each part of the story is broken down into manageable explanations, helping you understand sentence structure and meaning in context.
Full English Translation – Verify your understanding with a clear, complete English translation for every section.
Now With Furigana! – New addition adds Furigana to the main story to help our readers learn with whatever is most comfortable!
60 Guided Stories
Japanese Reading Practice for Beginners offers a unique approach to learning, with 60 carefully crafted stories that make Japanese accessible, engaging, and enjoyable. Designed specifically for beginners, each story provides a glimpse into everyday Japanese life, offering context-rich language practice that immerses you in real-life interactions.
Every story includes:
· Full Japanese Text with Furigana – Read Japanese with support for kanji
pronunciation, making it easy to follow along and build reading confidence.
· Romaji and English Translations – Understand each sentence fully, with translations to clarify meaning and romaji to support pronunciation.
· Line-by-Line Explanations – Break down each sentence with detailed vocabulary and grammar notes, helping you understand Japanese sentence structure and language
nuances.
Comprehension Questions – Test your understanding with targeted questions, allowing you to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Office Work
Designed specifically for those at the N5 level, this book offers a collection of relatable office-based stories that make learning Japanese both enjoyable and effective. Each story is presented in three formats:
· Japanese: Authentic narratives with furigana to aid in reading and pronunciation.
· Romaji: Romanized text for those who are new to Japanese scripts.
· English: Comprehensive translations to ensure understanding and build confidence.
· Immersive Stories: Dive into realistic office scenarios that mirror real-life interactions and business communications in Japan.
· Comprehensive Comprehension Questions: Test your understanding and reinforce your learning with thoughtfully crafted questions at the end of each chapter.
· Extensive Vocabulary Lists: Expand your lexicon with curated vocabulary lists tailored to each story.
· Detailed Grammar Lessons: Strengthen your grammatical foundation with clear and concise
explanations accompanying the stories.
· Bilingual Support: Enjoy the ease of learning with parallel texts in Japanese, romaji, and English, eliminating barriers to comprehension.
Izakaya
Tailored for learners at the N5 level, this book brings you into the everyday experiences of izakaya life, making language learning fun and relatable. Each story is crafted to capture beginner-friendly vocabulary and sentence structures, presented in three formats to enhance your reading journey:
· Japanese with Furigana: Authentic text with furigana for easy reading and pronunciation.
· Romaji: Romanized text, perfect for those just starting to navigate Japanese characters.
· English Translation: Full translations to build confidence in comprehension and understanding.
Features:
· Immersive Stories: Step into realistic izakaya scenarios that bring Japanese food, drink, and culture to life. From ordering yakitori to sharing heartfelt toasts with friends, these stories showcase relatable moments filled with cultural nuances.
· Vocabulary Highlights: Expand your knowledge with word lists focused on food, drinks, and social interactions.
· Grammar Explanations: Strengthen your foundation with concise, beginner-friendly grammar notes integrated into the stories.
· Bilingual Learning Support: A blend of Japanese, romaji, and English ensures accessibility and enjoyment for all learners.
Sports
Are you a beginner ready to dive into Japanese through the vibrant world of sports? Japanese Reading Practice for Beginners: Sports is your perfect guide for mastering Japanese while exploring the joys of soccer, sumo,relay races, and more!
About the Book: Tailored for learners at the N5 level, this book brings you into everyday sports experiences in Japan, making language learning fun and accessible. Each story is crafted to capture beginner-friendly vocabulary and structure and is presented in three formats to support your reading journey:
· Japanese with Furigana: Authentic text with furigana to aid in reading and pronunciation.
· Romaji: Romanized text for easy accessibility, perfect for those just starting with Japanese characters.
· English Translation: Full translations to build confidence in comprehension and understanding.
Features:
· Immersive Stories: Enjoy realistic sports scenarios that introduce you to Japanese sports culture, from school games to friendly competitions.
· Comprehension Questions: Reinforce your learning with thoughtfully crafted questions at the end of each story.
· Vocabulary Highlights: Expand your vocabulary with carefully selected word lists focused on sports and daily interactions.
· Grammar Explanations: Strengthen your understanding with concise grammar notes alongside each story.
· Bilingual Learning Support: A blend of Japanese, romaji, and English makes the content accessible and enjoyable for all learners.
Amusement Parks
Tailored for learners at the N5 level, this book invites you into the everyday adventures of an amusement park visit, making language learning enjoyable and relatable. Each story is designed to capture beginner-friendly vocabulary and sentence structures, presented in three easy-to-follow formats:
· Japanese with Furigana: Authentic text with furigana to support reading and pronunciation.
· Romaji: Romanized text for those just starting with Japanese characters.
· English Translation: Full translations to build confidence in comprehension.
Features:
· Immersive Stories: Step into realistic amusement park scenarios that bring Japanese culture to life. From thrilling roller coasters to leisurely Ferris wheel rides, these stories highlight relatable moments full of cultural nuances.
· Vocabulary Highlights: Expand your knowledge with word lists centered on rides, food stalls, and social interactions.
· Grammar Explanations: Strengthen your foundation with beginner-friendly grammar notes seamlessly integrated into the stories.
· Bilingual Learning Support: A blend of Japanese, romaji, and English ensures accessibility and enjoyment for learners at every level.
Shopping Together
No Barriers to Learning Japanese
This book is designed with everything you need to succeed as a beginner:
Furigana over every kanji makes reading easy, even if you’re just starting out.
Romaji alongside the Japanese text helps with pronunciation, building your confidence in speaking.
Full English Translations provide clarity and allow you to follow along effortlessly.
With these supports, you can dive into the story without struggling or getting stuck—just read, learn, and enjoy!
What’s Inside:
Line-by-Line Explanations: Each sentence is broken down so you can understand vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure at your own pace.
Essential Vocabulary Lists: Chapter-based vocabulary lists give you a solid foundation of real-world words and phrases related to shopping, dining, and daily interactions.
Clear Grammar Lessons: Key grammar points are explained in depth, from particles and polite forms to common verb conjugations.
Cultural Insights: Discover Japanese customs such as shopping etiquette, expressions of gratitude, and dining manners to deepen your appreciation of Japanese culture.
Interactive Exercises: Test your knowledge with exercises that reinforce vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar, helping you gain confidence in Japanese.
Illustrations for Context: Engaging illustrations throughout the story bring Kenji and Miho’s world to life, providing visual context to enhance your understanding.
Going Out To Eat
Are you a beginner eager to learn Japanese through practical, real-world situations? Dive into "Japanese Reading Practice for Beginners: Going Out to Eat"—a perfect guide for mastering Japanese within the engaging context of dining out in Japan.
About the Book: Created for learners at the N5 level, this book takes you through the joys and challenges of ordering food, handling restaurant conversations, and navigating various dining scenarios in Japan. Each story is crafted with beginner readers in mind and presented in three accessible formats:
· Japanese with Furigana: Authentic dialogue with furigana for easy reading and pronunciation.
· Romaji: Romanized text, making it approachable for those new to Japanese characters.
· English: Full translations to ensure clear understanding and confidence in comprehension.
Features:
· Immersive Stories: Explore realistic dining scenarios that bring Japan’s culinary culture to life, from sushi shops to cafés.
· Comprehension Questions: Reinforce your learning with tailored questions at the end of each story.
· Vocabulary Highlights: Build essential dining-related vocabulary with carefully selected word lists.
· Grammar Explanations: Strengthen your understanding with concise grammar notes alongside each story.
· Bilingual Learning Support: Enjoy a blend of Japanese, romaji, and English, making the text accessible and enjoyable for all.
Isekai Trash Collector
Alex’s life was ordinary, if not a little dull. But when a freak accident sends him spiraling into another world, he finds himself surrounded by magical creatures, mysterious ruins, and a sly fox-eared girl named Hajime. As Alex struggles to adapt to his new surroundings, he discovers he’s got a lot to learn—about magic, himself, and even the language of this strange new land.
Join Alex on a light-hearted isekai adventure that’s perfect for Japanese learners! Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your skills, this story offers:
· Immersive Japanese Practice Dive into a fun, engaging story while learning practical Japanese. Every section includes the original Japanese text, Romanji transcription, and line-by-line explanations to help you understand every word and phrase.
· Grammar and Vocabulary Breakdown Gain a deeper understanding of how Japanese works through detailed notes on grammar, conjugation, and cultural context.
· An Accessible and Relaxed Approach This isn’t a textbook—it’s an enjoyable way to read Japanese at your own pace. Laugh at Alex’s misadventures and learn without even realizing it!