The Best Bilingual Japanese Learning Magazine
An English–Japanese magazine that allows you to learn about Japan while learning Japanese.
There are countless things considered "Japanese"—
from the tea ceremony and flower arrangement to Noh, Kabuki, Japanese cuisine, and sumo.
Yet, these traditions are only a few hundred to a thousand years old.
Long before them, people had already lived on this land for thousands of years.
Thus, the oldest and most essential element of what makes Japan Japanese is its language.
To know the Japanese language is to know Japan itself.
Supported for nearly 40 years by Japan lovers around the world,
Hiragana Times features innovative editing that helps readers naturally absorb Japanese while discovering its culture.
February 2026 Issue
The February 2026 issue of Hiragana Times explores the sacred rituals of Grand Sumo through a striking cover illustration, revealing the dohyō as a Shinto prayer for good harvests. Discover Gagaku, the world's oldest orchestra performed for nature itself, and delve into the philosophical origins of Japanese kana. This issue also features a balanced debate on nuclear armament, the cultural impact of NHK morning dramas, and reflections on resilient weeds as symbols of quiet strength. Audio for the articles can be accessed via QR codes on each page.
Elevate Your Reading Proficiency
Master kanji, katakana, and authentic Japanese through our innovative bilingual format.
Furigana Below Kanji — Learn Naturally
Unlike traditional placement, we position furigana below each kanji to encourage visual familiarity with kanji forms while maintaining reading fluency. English loanwords appear in katakana, helping you recognize the connection between katakana and their English origins—an essential skill for real-world Japanese comprehension.
Current News & Cultural Topics
Every article explores contemporary Japan through content written by professional Japanese journalists. English and Japanese text blocks appear side by side, allowing instant comparison without a dictionary. From trending topics to cultural insights, each issue connects you to modern Japan. Learn language through culture, and culture through language.
"Unique Four-Level Structure" — to internalize the language and spirit of Japan
At Hiragana Times, language and culture are inseparable.
Our unique four-level editorial system is not just a study aid — it's an immersion into Japan itself.
Each "floor" brings you closer to the living essence of the Japanese language,
allowing you to naturally internalize its rhythm, nuance, and thought.
SAMPLE ARTICLE
4th Floor – Regular Japanese
Challenge your true reading ability.
This is the realm of native Japanese — authentic, unfiltered, and alive.
Here, you experience the flow of natural Japanese as it is read and felt by its people.
Mastering this section is the ultimate goal of your reading journey.
3rd Floor – Furigana Assist
Furigana beneath Kanji — for clarity and flow.
Unlike the traditional placement above kanji, we place furigana below each character.
This unique format, born from readers' feedback, allows smoother eye movement and natural reading flow —
blending visual comfort with cultural authenticity.
2nd Floor – Romaji (Glomaji) Assist
Type it, read it, feel it.
Our original "Glomaji" (Global Romaji) connects Japanese sounds and meanings in real time.
Type it as-is, and it transforms into Japanese — training both your ears and fingers to think in the language.
It's a dynamic bridge between sound, writing, and intuition.
1st Floor – English Assist
Your entryway into the structure of Japanese thought.
Each Japanese phrase is aligned with its English counterpart, word by word.
By seeing how ideas shift between the two languages, you don't just translate Japanese — you inhabit it.
This final layer reveals the hidden logic and poetic balance behind Japanese expression.
This is not just a magazine — it's a multilayered journey where language becomes culture, and culture becomes you.
Hone Your Listening Skills
Immerse yourself in authentic Japanese audio to strengthen your listening comprehension.
Every article comes with professional audio recordings that you can access instantly. Choose from three listening modes to match your learning level:
English and Japanese alternating
Compare and contrast naturally
English only
Focus on comprehension
Japanese only
Challenge your listening mastery
With the printed magazine, simply scan the QR code on each page with your smartphone to begin listening immediately—no apps or downloads required.
