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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I type in Japanese?​

To type Japanese on your computer or phone, you'll need to add the Japanese keyboard in your device's settings. This allows you to type in Rōmaji (the romanized alphabet), which your device will automatically convert into Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

Here are the setup instructions for common operating systems.

Instructions for Windows 10 & 11

  1. Open Language Settings:

    • Click the Start menu and go to Settings (the gear icon).
    • Select Time & Language, then choose Language (or Language & region).

  2. Add Japanese:

    • Click the Add a language button.
    • Type Japanese in the search box, select it (日本語), and click Next.
    • On the "Install language features" screen, you can uncheck "Set as my Windows display language" unless you want your entire OS to be in Japanese. Click Install.

  3. Switching Keyboards:

    • After installation, you can switch between keyboards by clicking the language indicator in the taskbar (it will likely say ENG next to your clock) or by pressing Windows Key + Spacebar.

  4. How to Type:

    • With the Japanese keyboard active (you'll see J or あ in the taskbar), simply type out Japanese words phonetically. For example, typing sushi will produce すし.
    • As you type, a suggestion window will appear. Press the Spacebar to cycle through Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji suggestions. Press Enter to confirm your choice.
Instructions for macOS

  1. Open Keyboard Settings:

    • Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and go to System Settings (or System Preferences).
    • Select Keyboard from the sidebar.

  2. Add Japanese Input Source:

    • Under the "Text Input" section, click the Edit... button next to "Input Sources."
    • Click the + button in the bottom-left.
    • Select Japanese from the list and click Add. You can choose different input modes, but "Japanese - Romaji" is the most common for beginners.

  3. Switching Keyboards:

    • You can now switch input methods by clicking the language icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen or by pressing Control + Spacebar (this can be customized in Keyboard settings).

  4. How to Type:

    • With the Hiragana (あ) input source selected, type words phonetically. For example, typing ninja will produce にんじゃ.
    • Press the Spacebar to convert the Hiragana into Kanji or Katakana suggestions. Use the arrow keys to select the correct one and press Enter to confirm.
Instructions for Android (Gboard)

  1. Open Gboard Settings:

    • Open an app where you can type (like Messages or Chrome). When the keyboard appears, tap the Settings gear icon (⚙️).
    • Alternatively, go to your phone's Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard > Gboard.

  2. Add Japanese Keyboard:

    • Tap Languages, then ADD KEYBOARD.
    • Search for and select Japanese.
    • You'll see different layout options. 12-key (the "flick" style keyboard) and QWERTY (Romaji style) are the most popular. Select your preferred layout and tap Done.

  3. Switching Keyboards:

    • When the keyboard is on-screen, you can switch between languages by tapping and holding the Spacebar or by tapping the Globe icon (🌐).

  4. How to Type:

    • QWERTY Layout: Works just like on a computer. Type sakana to get さかな, then select Kanji from the suggestion strip.
    • 12-key Layout: This "flick" keyboard is very popular in Japan. You tap a key for the base sound (e.g., さ for 'sa') and then "flick" your finger up, left, right, or down from that key to get the other sounds in that column (し, す, せ, そ). It can be very fast once you get the hang of it!
Instructions for iOS (iPhone/iPad)

  1. Open Keyboard Settings:

    • Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.

  2. Add Japanese Keyboard:

    • Tap Keyboards at the top, then Add New Keyboard....
    • Select Japanese from the list.
    • You will be asked to choose a keyboard type. Choose Romaji for a standard QWERTY layout or Kana for the 12-key "flick" style layout. Tap Done.

  3. Switching Keyboards:

    • When the keyboard is on-screen, tap the Globe icon (🌐) in the bottom-left to cycle through your installed keyboards.

  4. How to Type:

    • Romaji: Type words phonetically. As you type, the suggestion bar will show Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji options.
    • Kana (Flick Style): Tap a key for the first character in a sequence (e.g., the た key for 'ta'). For the other characters in that sequence (chi, tsu, te, to), press and hold the た key, then drag your finger in the corresponding direction without lifting.