With a cohort · 12 weeks

Janai Plus

The second twelve weeks: from Core's polite sentences into the plain (casual) form. Not just a more casual register: it's the base for a much wider range of what you can say. Same rhythm as Janai Core, one level up.

By week 12: the plain form, many more verb forms, and the patterns they unlock, so you can give your reasons and opinions, and connect ideas into longer sentences. Your bridge toward intermediate, roughly JLPT N4.

See the offer

Starts January 4, 2027 · fully refundable up to 24 hours before day one

N5 to N4

one level up

12 weeks

together

5 lessons a week

from 15 min a day

$180

one-time

What you'll be saying, week by week

Every milestone maps to real lessons in the Plus curriculum.

Want the full lesson list? It's all there in a free account.

  1. Weeks 1–2

    Soften and connect: the te-form

    Requests and offers (please, could you, may I), thanking and apologizing for things, ongoing actions with ~te iru, and your first step into plain, dictionary form.

    「ちょっと待ってください。」“Please wait a moment.”

  2. Weeks 3–4

    Casual, in every tense

    The plain form across negative and past, casual questions, and casual adjectives and nouns. The everyday register you actually hear.

    「きのう、友だちと映画を見た。」“Yesterday I watched a movie with a friend.”

  3. Weeks 5–6

    Opinions and the flow of time

    "I think," "I like to," when / before / after / if, and "have you ever": saying what you think and putting events in order.

    「日本に行ったことがありますか。」“Have you ever been to Japan?”

  4. Weeks 7–8

    Reasons, contrast, and plans

    But and however, because and so, invitations (would you like to / let's), and obligation (have to / don't have to): connecting your ideas and making plans.

    「疲れたから、早く寝ます。」“I'm tired, so I'll go to bed early.”

  5. Weeks 9–10

    Permission, ability, and how things seem

    Please don't / it's okay to, the potential form (can do), might and could, "it looks / seems like," and comparisons — more, less, the most.

    「ひらがなが読めます。」“I can read hiragana.”

  6. Weeks 11–12

    Natural, connected Japanese

    Relative clauses, ne and yo, giving and receiving, the passive and causative. The constructions that make your Japanese sound like a native's.

    「きのう買った本は、とてもおもしろかったです。」“The book I bought yesterday was really interesting.”

That's the plain form and the constructions that make Japanese sound natural. Just as important: a daily habit that held for twelve weeks, and a clear view of the road ahead.

Is it for you?

A good fit if

  • You've finished Core, or have the polite-form basics (roughly JLPT N5)
  • You want to grow into casual, natural Japanese
  • You can find 15 minutes on weekdays, or batch it on the weekend

Probably not, if

  • Your polite-form basics aren't solid yet: start with Core
  • You'd rather go at your own pace: 1-on-1 fits better
  • Your goal is passing an exam: we use JLPT as a rough level guide, but this is for people who want to speak, not test prep

Join the next Janai Plus cohort

12 weeks: January 4 – March 28, 2027

Starts 0:00 Japan time.

$180one-time

Founding cohort price.

  • ✓The full curriculum: Jump Start, Practice Dojo, and Slow Japanese videos
  • ✓A cohort with a real start and finish date
  • ✓Mana checks and stamps every lesson you complete
  • ✓A checkpoint every 4 weeks, submitted to Mana
  • ✓30 days of free access after week 12, then $9/mo (or $90/yr) as an alumni, if you want to keep going

Full refund up to 24 hours before the start. If this cohort fills up, the waitlist gets first notice for the next.

You don't have to wait to start. Join today and the first Plus lessons and the newest episodes open right away. The full curriculum unlocks on day 1.

You'll be asked to create a free account first. By purchasing you agree to the Terms of Service.

You can add a weekly 1-on-1 session with Mana on top: speaking practice and personal feedback, alongside the cohort. Separate, optional, and it can keep going after the 12 weeks.

Common questions

Do I need to have taken Janai Core?

No. But you should be comfortable with polite-form basics, roughly JLPT N5. If most of Core's patterns look familiar, you're ready for Plus.

Can I go faster than 12 weeks?

Yes. Every lesson is open from day one, so you can move at your own pace. The 12 weeks is a rhythm, not a limit: a pattern a day, spread out, is what makes it stick. The checkpoints are paced to those twelve weeks.

How much time does it take each day?

One lesson a day plus a quick daily review, about 15 minutes, five days a week. That's the core; the videos and drills are there when you want to go deeper, at whatever pace suits you. Some lessons will take you a little longer, and that's normal, not falling behind. If you miss a few days, the lessons wait for you, and Mana can see where you are.

What happens after 12 weeks?

You keep full access free for 30 days, then can continue as an alumni for $9/month (or $90/year).

What if I change my mind?

You can cancel yourself from your plan page any time up to 24 hours before your cohort starts. The refund is full and instant, no need to email. Within 24 hours of the start (0:00 Japan time on day one), the purchase is non-refundable.

Not sure yet? Start free.

A free account opens the first Plus lessons and the two newest Slow Japanese episodes today. No card, no newsletters.

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