What is Cinema にほんご?

Cinema にほんご is a Japanese learning website that teaches JLPT N5 to N1 through a cinematic spy-thriller series. Each lesson combines grammar, vocabulary, and kanji with a story narrative, designed to be accessible for every learner — including those with dyslexia, hearing, or visual differences.

Who creates Cinema にほんご?

Cinema にほんご is built by Kaori Uchiyama, a Japanese language teacher in Tokyo, working alone from KnitCafe Studio. She became a Japanese teacher to help people who struggle to communicate.

Is Cinema にほんご free?

Yes. All content on Cinema にほんご is free to access — no ads, no third-party tracking, no popups. The site is supported by voluntary donations via Stripe.

What JLPT levels does Cinema にほんご cover?

Currently N5-N4 (Series 1: Midnight Noir にほんご) with full 25 lessons published. The Story section has editions for N5 through N1. Future series will expand to N3, N2, and N1 content.

Does Cinema にほんご support learners with disabilities?

Yes. The site is built to be safe for learners with dyslexia, hearing differences, or visual differences. Furigana toggle, multi-language translations, no autoplay, and clean reading flow are part of the accessibility-first design.

Katakana — each kana – Cinema にほんご

a

aisu — ice cream

i

inku — ink

u

usagi — rabbit (katakana style)

兎

e

ebi — shrimp

海老

o

orenji — orange

ka

kamera — camera

ki

kimuchi — kimchi

ku

kuma — bear

熊

ke

keeki — cake

ko

koohii — coffee

sa

sarada — salad

shi

shatsu — shirt

su

suupu — soup

se

seetaa — sweater

so

sofa — sofa

ta

takushii — taxi

chi

chiizu — cheese

tsu

tsuaa — tour

te

terebi — TV

to

tomato — tomato

na

naifu — knife

ni

nyuusu — news

nu

nuudoru — noodles

ne

nekutai — necktie

no

nooto — notebook

ha

hamu — ham

hi

hiiroo — hero

fu

fooku — fork

he

herikoputaa — helicopter

ho

hoteru — hotel

ma

masuku — mask

mi

miruku — milk

mu

muusu — mousse

me

meeru — email

mo

moderu — model

ya

yakuruto — Yakult (drink)

yu

yunifoomu — uniform

yo

yooguruto — yogurt

ra

rajio — radio

ri

ribon — ribbon

ru

ruuru — rule

re

remon — lemon

ro

robotto — robot

wa

wain — wine

wo

─ — (rare; usually を)

n

pan — (ends words — eg, pan = bread)