GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 1 - Textbook (3rd Edition)

GENKI Vol. 1 is one of the most popular beginner Japanese textbooks, whether in a classroom or studying on your own. It takes you through 12 well-paced lessons, working through everyday situations like introductions, shopping, making plans, and daily routines. By the end, you're typically around JLPT N5 level.

Each lesson follows the same structure of dialogue, grammar, and practice, making it easy to settle into a consistent study habit. It's one of the best-structured beginner textbooks available, and our recommended starting point for self-study learners.

It's designed to be paired with GENKI Workbook 1 for reinforcement, and audio is available through the OTO Navi app. It also pairs well with kanji resources and graded readers, and there's plenty of supplementary material available online.