"I've had years of classes & Rosetta Stone in French, Italian, Arabic & Polish. At most I achieved 'tourist-talk.' Just 10 weeks of beginner Japanese StoryLearning and I have solid conversational skills & confidence to try them!"
What Your First Lesson Actually Looks Like
Not features. Not bullet points. This is what happens when you sit down and press play.
1
0:000:00
You press play and the story begins...
"Watashi wa totemo tanoshimi desu!" Kuroe wa iimasu. "Watashi mo desu," Arekkusu wa kotaemasu..."
A native Japanese speaker begins reading the opening of 侍の宝 (Samurai no Takara, The Samurai's Treasure). It's the story of Alex and Chloe, two university friends studying Japanese in England, arriving at Narita Airport to meet their old Japanese friend Tadashi. You follow along in romaji, a romanised version of Japanese, reading the text as you listen.
You won't understand the words, not yet. But the romaji lets you follow along, and you can hear the natural rhythm and melody of spoken Japanese. Something about the story makes you curious.
That's exactly where you're supposed to be. Over the coming lessons, I'll uncover the meaning of everything you just heard, vocabulary, grammar, script, all drawn from this story. And chapter by chapter, you'll understand more, until you're following the story on first listen.
2
You start reading real Japanese characters
This is the part most people dread, and the part our students love most. Ai, a native Japanese speaker from Tokyo, walks you through hiragana and katakana, Japan's two phonetic writing systems, stroke by stroke, character by character.
Each chapter introduces new characters connected to the story you're reading.
By the end of the course, you'll be reading Japanese script fluently, no longer relying on romaji. Most students are surprised how quickly the characters start to feel natural.
This is the moment students say: "Wait, I can actually read this."
3
Then Olly breaks down how Japanese actually works
You've already heard this exchange in the story. "Watashi wa totemo tanoshimi desu!" says Kuroe. "Watashi mo desu," replies Arekkusu.
Olly zooms in on the one character that changed: は (wa) in Kuroe's line became も (mo) in Arekkusu's reply. Wa marks the topic ("as for me..."). Mo means "also" or "too." Swap one particle for the other and "I'm looking forward" becomes "me too." Same sentence, one tiny swap, completely different meaning.
That's Japanese grammar in miniature: tiny particles doing heavyweight work. Once you see the pattern, you can already reply "me too" to anything you hear.
No grammar tables. No abstract rules. Just real sentences from the story you just read, pulled apart so you can see how they fit together. You learn grammar naturally, using words you've already met in the story, not by memorising rules.
This is the moment students say: "Wait, this actually makes sense."
4
Ai shows you how Japanese really sounds
Ai is a native Japanese speaker from Tokyo. She shows you exactly how to produce the sounds of real, spoken Japanese. The five pure vowels. The crisp consonants. The natural rhythm and pitch that makes the difference between sounding like a textbook and sounding like a person.
Japanese pronunciation is surprisingly regular, once you learn the sounds, you can read anything out loud correctly. No guessing. No exceptions. Just clear, beautiful Japanese.
5
You learn the world the language lives in
Japanese culture, the social customs that shape everyday life, the etiquette that matters in conversation, the traditions behind the food, festivals, and daily routines you'll encounter. From keigo (the politeness system built into the language) to the unspoken rules of Japanese social life.
Because you can't truly speak a language without understanding the people who speak it.
6
Then you go back to the story
You listen again. And this time, sentences that were opaque twenty minutes ago suddenly make sense.
You can hear where one word ends and another begins. You understand why the characters said what they said. You're not translating, you're understanding.
That's one chapter. Vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, script, keigo, culture, speaking practice, and a story that pulls you through all of it.
You've already started reading Japanese, understanding grammar, writing hiragana, and hearing the rhythm of the language.
There are 10 chapters. Each one goes deeper. Each one builds on the last.
Everything I just described is in the free trial. Full access to the entire course: story, videos, exercises, everything, for 7 days.
Want to see inside the course?
Watch Olly give you a personal tour of Japanese Uncovered:
Experience This Yourself7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Can I be honest with you?
I've learned 8 languages. And I've failed at most of them, spectacularly, before figuring out what works.
So I know exactly what you're going through right now.
You downloaded the app. You did the daily streak. You memorised arigatō, konnichiwa, sayōnara. You even took a class or two.
And for a while, it felt like progress.
But then you tried to actually use your Japanese, with a real person, at real speed, and the whole thing fell apart.
- You know the words, but you can't string them into sentences fast enough
- You can read simple phrases, but native speakers sound like a blur
- You've spent months studying, but you still feel like a permanent beginner
I've been there. Staring at someone, nodding politely, pretending I understood. It's not fun.
But here's the thing I wish someone had told me years ago:
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. Textbooks teach you to
conjugate verbs on paper.
Neither of them teaches you to actually speak and understand
Japanese.
There's a reason you're still stuck. And it has nothing to do with talent, age, or how many hours you've studied.
It has everything to do with how you've been learning.
Let me show you what I discovered instead.
Why Stories Work (When Grammar Drills Don't)
Think about how traditional courses work. They teach you a language the way you learned algebra: rules first, practice second, application... maybe someday.
But that's not how you learned your native language. Nobody handed you a grammar table when you were two years old. You learned through immersion. Through context. Through stories that made you care about what happened next.
That's exactly what StoryLearning does. And here's why it works so well:
The StoryLearning Method
Your Brain Is Wired for Story
Stories aren't just entertainment, they're how humans have transmitted knowledge for 100,000 years. When you learn through narrative, your brain engages differently: deeper encoding, stronger memory formation, better recall.
Context Creates Memory
You don't remember random words. You remember the moment the detective discovered the note. The look on Maria's face when she heard the news. Words attached to story stick because they mean something.
Guided Discovery Beats Memorisation
Instead of giving you a rule and asking you to apply it, StoryLearning lets you encounter patterns naturally, then explains what you just discovered. You figure it out, so you own it. That's why you never forget it.
It's Not Just Our Opinion
The StoryLearning method is grounded in decades of language acquisition research.
Dr. Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus at USC and one of the most cited linguists in history, proved that language is acquired through comprehensible input, not grammar study.
When you understand messages in the target language, acquisition happens naturally. StoryLearning is built on this principle.
Dual Coding Theory shows that memory is strongest when you encode information both verbally and through imagery.
Stories create vivid mental pictures that make vocabulary stick, which is why you remember story words but forget flashcard words.
Contextual Learning Research consistently shows that words learned in meaningful context are retained 2-3x longer than words learned in isolation.
Every word in StoryLearning arrives with a scene, a character, and a reason to care.
"Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work, and you will too!"
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Meet Your Guides
I'm Olly Richards. I'm the creator of StoryLearning and author of the bestselling Short Stories series (over 2 million books sold). I'm fluent in 8 languages, and my YouTube channel has racked up more than 70 million views on language learning.
Collaborated with:
Featured in:
I designed Japanese Uncovered using the same StoryLearning method that's helped over 100,000 people learn languages. I'll be your guide through the story and grammar lessons, and I've brought in Ai, a native Japanese speaker from Tokyo, to teach you pronunciation and the Japanese script...
Your Pronunciation & Script Teacher: Ai Chan
Ai is a native Japanese speaker from Tokyo with over 10 years of teaching experience. She specialises in helping beginners build the confidence to speak, read, and write Japanese from day one, making complex ideas feel approachable and fun.
Ai takes you through pronunciation and the Japanese script (hiragana and katakana), while I guide you through the story, vocabulary, grammar, and culture of the course.
🇯🇵Native Japanese speaker from Tokyo
🎓10+ years of Japanese teaching experience
📚Specialises in making complex ideas accessible
✍️Teaches pronunciation & the Japanese script
Is Japanese Uncovered Right For You?
StoryLearning isn't for everyone, and that's by design. Here's how to know if it's right for you.
This IS For You If...
- You've tried Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone, but nothing stuck
- You know plenty of words, but freeze up when trying to speak
- You want to understand native speakers, not just pass quizzes
- You'd rather read an interesting story than memorise vocabulary lists
- You can commit to 20-30 minutes a day of focused practice
This is NOT For You If...
- You need travel phrases for a trip next week (this is comprehensive, not a phrasebook)
- You prefer structured grammar drills and memorisation exercises
- You want live classes with a teacher (this is self-paced)
- You're already at conversational level (check out our Intermediate courses instead)
- You're looking for a passive "learn while you sleep" solution
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
What Happens When Japanese Finally Clicks
"I didn't consider myself a language person. I was worried I'd never really get it. But having completed Japanese Uncovered, I now feel confident reading and speaking Japanese for real. Thank you, Olly."
"The best Japanese language course I have ever purchased! I have tried everything to better my speaking skills but nothing sticks like StoryLearning. Simple to understand, fun, motivating, and encouraging!"
"I believe the StoryLearning course is equivalent to two semesters at a university. The quality of the material is at a university level. The lessons are a lot more fun than sitting in a lecture hall."
"I love the way we can learn things that are in the context of a story, and remember it because of the story. This is beyond my expectations."
"I can't even begin to describe how much this course has changed my life. In 2 months, I have learned more Japanese than in all 4 years I took of it in HS and college. I am actually understanding native speakers! Thank you Olly Richards!"
"This course is by far the best I've ever come across. As an ex English Language Teacher, I have very high expectations & this course exceeds these. The story-based approach makes all the difference, I'm actually reading and understanding real Japanese."
"I've tried a lot of courses and methods over the years. This is the first course that really helped me to comprehend the language. The story pulls you in, and the grammar suddenly makes sense in context."
"This program changed the way I learn Japanese. In school, I struggled to understand or speak. Now I'm naturally learning vocab, grammar, reading, writing, listening, & speaking in a super fun way. Highly recommend."
"I always wanted to learn Japanese but traditional textbooks were so dry and boring. Within just 2 months, I find myself actually reading and understanding real Japanese texts. This course surprised me. Thank you Olly."
"Very impressed so far! Olly explains and breaks down the rules of Japanese so well, with lots to learn right from the start. I have learnt more in 1 module than in months of free apps!"
"If you tell me a good story, I'll follow you anywhere. What better way to learn a language than through asking what happens next? This is a challenging, well-designed course that never bored me. And I learned a lot of Japanese."
Your Journey Through Japanese Uncovered
At the heart of Japanese Uncovered is an original story called 侍の宝 (Samurai no Takara, The Samurai's Treasure).
Alex and Chloe are university friends studying Japanese in England. They land in Tokyo for the first time, meeting up with their old friend Tadashi, a graduate student in Osaka. What starts as a sightseeing trip through Shinjuku, Meiji Jingū, and the Tokyo Skytree takes a mysterious turn when a manga titled 侍の宝 arrives at Alex's hotel with no sender's name on it.Inside is the first clue to the legendary treasure of a samurai named Maeda, hidden somewhere at a Tokugawa castle in the old capital. Suddenly they're on the shinkansen to Kyoto, following cryptic hints through Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nijō Castle. The adventure has begun.
Watch Your Japanese Grow
Here's actual text from the course. See how much more you'll understand as the story unfolds:
Chapter 1
"Watashi wa totemo tanoshimi desu!" Kuroe wa iimasu.
"I'm so excited!" Chloe says as the plane lands at Narita. You understand this almost immediately, a name, an emotion, the romaji guides you through it.
Chapter 5
"Kore wa hontou ni hen desu ne," Arekkusu wa omoimasu.
"This is really strange, isn't it?" Alex thinks, staring at the mysterious manga that just arrived at his hotel. You didn't study that sentence. You just... feel the tension build.
Chapter 10
"Nihon no densha wa hontou ni hayakute tanomoshii desu," Tadashi wa ureshisou ni kotaemasu.
"Japanese trains are really fast and reliable," Tadashi replies happily on the shinkansen to Kyoto. Compound adjectives, particles stacking, but you follow it, because the story carried you there.
Everything You Get
10 chapters. 60+ video lessons. A complete path from beginner to confident.
✓
10 story chaptersNative Japanese audio
throughout
✓
60+ video lessons with Olly & AiGrammar, vocabulary, script
& culture, all in context
✓
Pronunciation trainingJapanese pronunciation
& accent guidance
✓
Speaking activity packsStructured exercises for solo
or tutor practice
✓
100% downloadableStudy offline, anywhere, on
any device
✓
Private communityAsk questions, get support,
connect with learners
✓
Comprehension quizzesCheck your progress at every
stage
✓
Lifetime accessIncluding all future updates,
forever
Try Japanese Uncovered Risk-Free
365-Day Money-Back Guarantee
I'm confident Japanese Uncovered will work for you. But I also know that confidence comes from experience, not promises.
So here's my guarantee: Try the course. Work through the chapters. If at any point in the next 365 days you decide it's not for you, email us and we'll refund every penny. No questions. No awkwardness. No hassle.
You have a full year to decide. That's how confident I am that you'll love learning this way.
Olly Richards
$397 $297
Less than $1 a day over a year • Equivalent to two university semesters
Start with a 7-day free trial. Full access. Cancel anytime.
Start Your 7-Day Free TrialYou won't be charged until your trial ends
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not a complete beginner. Is this course for me?
If you're still building your foundation and don't feel
confident holding conversations yet, yes, Japanese Uncovered
will fill in the gaps and give you the fluency you're missing.
If you can already hold comfortable conversations with native
speakers, you might be better suited for our Intermediate
courses. Not sure? Start the free trial and see where you land.
What if I don't have time to study every day?
The course is entirely self-paced. There are no live sessions,
no deadlines, no pressure. You have lifetime access, so you can
start when you're ready, take breaks when life gets busy, and
come back whenever you want. Most students find that 20-30
minutes a day works well, but you can adjust to your schedule.
What variety of Japanese do you teach?
This course teaches modern standard Japanese, the form used in everyday conversation, media, and business across Japan. The course starts with romaji (romanised Japanese) so you can begin reading immediately, then gradually introduces hiragana and katakana. By the end of the course, you'll be reading Japanese script confidently.
How is this different from Duolingo or Babbel?
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. You get good at
matching words and completing exercises, but when you encounter
real Japanese, a conversation, a manga, a TV show, you're
lost. StoryLearning teaches you to read and understand actual
Japanese through immersion in a compelling story. You're not
learning to pass quizzes; you're learning the language spoken
by 125 million people.
What if it doesn't work for me?
You have 365 days to decide. If Japanese Uncovered isn't right
for you, for any reason, email us and we'll refund your
purchase in full. No questions asked, no forms to fill out.
We've processed thousands of refunds without hassle, though we
rarely need to.
Can I try before I pay?
Yes. The 7-day free trial gives you full access to the course.
Explore the lessons, experience the story, try the method. You
won't be charged until the trial ends, and you can cancel
anytime with one click.
What happens after the free trial?
After 7 days, your card is charged $297 for lifetime access to
the full course. There are no recurring fees, it's a single
payment. If you cancel during the trial, you won't be charged at
all. And remember, even after paying, you still have the 365-day
money-back guarantee.
How long will it take to complete the course?
Most students complete Japanese Uncovered in 3-6 months, studying
20-30 minutes per day. But there's no clock ticking. Some move
faster, some take their time. The course is designed for
sustainable progress, not a sprint.
Will I be able to speak fluently after this course?
Japanese Uncovered will give you a solid conversational
foundation, the ability to understand native speakers, hold
real conversations, and express yourself confidently. "Fluency"
is a lifelong journey, but this course will get you further than
years of apps and classes combined. Many students report
achieving more in 10 weeks than in years of previous study.
