Free Japanese Graded Readers for Beginners & Intermediate Learners

Get free Japanese graded readers and practice reading. For absolute beginners, beginners, and intermediate learners.

Japanese graded readers are one of the best ways to start reading Japanese. You pick up vocabulary, learn grammar in context, and improve your overall Japanese along the way.

Here, you’ll find JapanesePod101’s graded readers, from Absolute Beginner to Intermediate. And as a new member, you can download 2 Japanese graded reader PDFs for FREE.

Two free Japanese graded reader books from JapanesePod101 for Absolute Beginner and Beginner levels

Japanese Graded Readers: Beginner to Intermediate

Reading Japanese is actually easy when you start at the right level.

That’s why our Japanese graded readers are organized by levels, from Absolute Beginner to Intermediate. So, if you know the Japanese alphabet, start with Absolute Beginner. You start with simple words and phrases and we’ll build you to Beginner and Intermediate levels.

For the best experience, read these books inside our Japanese learning program, where you can listen to the audio as you read and see the translations.

Absolute Beginner Japanese Graded Readers

Starting from zero? These readers start you off with simple Japanese words and phrases along with illustrations. These basic readers help you practice reading basic Japanese, a few words at a time.

Beginner Japanese Graded Readers

Ready for complete Japanese sentences? Our beginner-level graded readers help you read full sentences and introduce new vocabulary and grammar along the way.

Intermediate Japanese Graded Readers

Want to take your Japanese reading skills to the next level? Intermediate-level materials challenge you with more complex passages, vocabulary, and grammar.

Ready to start reading Japanese at your level?

Get 2 free Japanese Graded Readers: You’ll get one Absolute Beginner book and one Beginner book to help you start reading Japanese at your level.

(You’ll find our complete series of books and lessons inside our Lesson Library.)

Learn More Than Just How to Read Japanese

Reading is just one part of learning Japanese.

If you want to learn Japanese, you’ll need more than just reading.

That’s why at JapanesePod101, you get a structured learning system that takes you from lesson 1 to 2 to 3… to conversational fluency.

Our lessons incorporate listening, speaking, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and dialogues… all within the span of a quick 3-15 minute lesson. The result? You learn Japanese fast with our comprehensive approach.

Join Free and Start Learning

Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Graded Readers

What are Japanese graded readers?

Japanese graded readers are books written for learners at different levels and stages. They use words, grammar, sentence structures, and story lengths appropriate for learners at each stage.

Are Japanese graded readers good for beginners?

Yes. Graded readers ease you into reading Japanese without facing a wall of strange new words. Absolute beginners start with simple words and phrases, while more advanced learners can progress to longer passages.

Which Japanese graded reader should I start with?

Start with the lowest level that matches your current Japanese ability. If you are new to learning Japanese, get an Absolute Beginner graded reader.

Are Japanese graded readers free?

You can download two free Japanese graded reader PDFs on this page. If you want more, check out our Extensive Reading Series inside the JapanesePod101 Lesson Library which you can access for free with a 7-Day Premium Trial.

How do Japanese graded readers help me learn Japanese?

Japanese graded readers improve your reading skills by introducing vocabulary and grammar at a level you can understand. As you progress, you’ll get longer sentences and more complex passages, helping you read more and more Japanese.

Are Japanese graded readers better than Japanese children’s books?

Japanese children’s books are written for native Japanese-speaking children and may contain words that learners don’t know. Graded readers are created specifically for learners like you.

Start Reading Japanese Today

Ready to read Japanese with more confidence?

Then sign up for a Free Lifetime Account and start learning with JapanesePod101.

You’ll get bonus access to:

7 Days of our Premium Plan — no credit card needed
2 FREE Japanese Graded Reader PDFs
Level-based Japanese reading practice