Japademy vs Marugoto: A Modern Look at Learning Japanese Online

Learning Japanese has become an exciting journey for so many people all over the world. Whether your dream is to watch your favorite anime without subtitles, order a bowl of ramen like a local in Tokyo, or even land a job in Japan, knowing the language truly opens up a world of possibilities. With so many websites promising to teach you, it can feel a little overwhelming, can't it? As of 2025, two of the most popular options out there are learning Japanese with Marugoto, a free self-study platform from the Japan Foundation, and Japademy—that's us—a modern online Japanese school with structured Japanese online courses and live teachers. They both help you make progress, but their approaches are so different.

In this article, I want to break down what makes each of them unique across four key areas: the teachers, the lessons, the cost, and the extra perks. By the end, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which website is the right fit for you in learning Japanese. If you’re interested, keep on reading!

*Just so you know, all of the features and costs I'm discussing are based on what's currently available; however, keep in mind that prices can change, so always double-check!

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The Teachers: A Human Touch

Having a great teacher is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful parts of learning a new language. A teacher doesn't just correct your grammar; they offer encouragement, share cultural tidbits, and make the whole experience so much more engaging. Honestly, it's what makes the difference between giving up and truly gaining confidence.

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Marugoto has a couple of pathways here. Their Self-Study Course is pretty much what it sounds like: you're on your own, using their materials to learn at your own pace. But their Tutor Support Course does add a Japanese teacher into the mix. This teacher helps with feedback on assignments and leads some live lessons, which is a great addition because the teacher lets you ask questions and get some real-time guidance. The one thing I've noticed, though, is that their Japanese teachers are not all native Japanese speakers. This could limit the depth of cultural insights and authentic language exposure that some students may be looking for.

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Marugoto:

• Not all teachers are native Japanese speakers

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Now, with us, Japademy, the whole experience is built around live, teacher-led learning. Every single one of our 10-week courses includes weekly lessons with our professional, certified native Japanese teachers. This is super important because it means you're not just hearing authentic Japanese, you're getting expert advice from people who are trained to teach it. Our classes are designed to be really interactive, with a big focus on conversation and getting corrections in real time. I've heard so many of our students say how encouraging and supportive their teachers are, and that's a huge part of why they feel confident so much faster than they ever did with self-study.

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Japademy:

• All our teachers are native Japanese speakers with teaching certifications

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The Lessons: Flexibility vs. Structure

How a course is structured can totally make or break your motivation. Some of us love the freedom of self-study, while others, like me, thrive on a more structured routine with regular check-ins.

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Marugoto's lessons come from their textbook series and are delivered through interactive online modules. In the Self-Study Course, you work through the material, including grammar, listening, and reading, at your own pace, which is perfect if you need that kind of flexibility. Their Tutor Support Course adds some structure with teacher feedback, but again, the live speaking practice just isn't as regular or immersive as you might want if your goal is conversational fluency. Their live sessions aren't very frequent, only one every two weeks, so it can be tough to get a lot of consistent speaking practice in.

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Marugoto:

• Offers flexible self-study courses and tutor support courses
• Live lessons with Japanese teachers are conducted once every two weeks

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At Japademy, we've designed our courses to be a clear, structured pathway. Our Japanese 10-week Online Courses take you from absolute Beginner all the way to Intermediate, with a specific Conversational option thrown in. You'll join weekly 105-minute live lessons on Zoom with a small group of other students who are just as passionate about Japanese as you are. In each class, we introduce new grammar and vocabulary, and trust me, you get plenty of chances to practice speaking. And to make sure you're never left hanging, we also give you free access to our pre-recorded videos, vocabulary flashcards, and a practice app for kana and conversation drills. It’s a great mix that keeps you engaged and making consistent progress.

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Japademy:

• Clear and structured online Japanese courses
• Offers live online Japanese instruction that allows for immediate communication and feedback
• Free use of our practice app and pre-recorded videos to enhance your learning experience

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The Price: What You Pay For

Price is always a big factor. It often determines whether you stick to a free website or decide to invest in guided lessons. Marugoto and Japademy couldn’t be more different in their pricing philosophies.

Marugoto’s Self-Study Course is completely free, which is incredible. It makes Japanese learning accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. The Tutor Support Course is either free or does cost money, depending on the course operator, and while the cost is more affordable than a lot of other paid programs, it doesn't give you the same level of consistent live interaction you'd get from a dedicated school.

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Marugoto:

• Self-Study Course is completely free
• The price of the Tutor Support Course varies depending on the course and location

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With Japademy, our 10-week courses are an all-inclusive investment. Our prices start at just $229 USD if you catch the early-bird enrollment, and the general price is $249 USD. That cost covers absolutely everything: the live classes, all our exclusive study materials, the pre-recorded videos, flashcards, and our practice app. There are no surprise fees for textbooks or anything like that. Plus, we have a refund policy just in case you decide it's not for you, which makes it a pretty low-risk way to give it a shot. For a lot of people who really want accountability and regular speaking practice, that investment is totally worth it.

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Japademy:

• No hidden costs for books or other learning materials.

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The Extra Perks: Motivation Beyond the Lesson

What a course offers outside of the main lessons can be the difference between a program you just start and one you actually see through. Things like community, cultural insights, and formal recognition of your progress can really keep you motivated.

Marugoto now offers certificates. Students who achieve an overall score of 60% or higher, based on study progress, assignments, tests, live lessons, and oral evaluations, receive a completion certificate. Those who meet the requirements but score less than 60% get an attendance certificate, which still recognizes their effort and participation.

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Marugoto:

• Provides a completion or attendance certificate depending on the score

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At Japademy, we've built in some great practical benefits. For starters, once you complete a level, you get an official completion certificate with a verification number, perfect for showing off on a resume or a school application. Our weekly live classes also foster a real sense of community, which is so important as it helps you feel connected and avoids the isolation that can come with self-study. And don't forget, we include all our extra learning resources, the Japanese video courses, flashcards, Japanese learning blogs, and the Japanese practice app, at no extra cost. These tools are designed to help you reinforce what you've learned in class, ensuring your progress is consistent and long-lasting.

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Japademy:

• Provides free access to our pre-recorded video courses
• Provides free access to our practice app with vocabulary flashcards and an AI teacher. 
• Provides a Certificate of Completion that you can use for professional purposes.
• Insightful Japanese language learning blogs

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Final Thoughts

Both Marugoto and Japademy offer high-quality ways to learn Japanese, but they really serve different kinds of students. Learning Japanese with Marugoto is your best bet if you want a flexible, culturally rich, and mostly free self-study program, with the option to add some tutor support for extra guidance. It’s a fantastic choice if you love working at your own pace and don’t need as much live interaction. Japademy, on the other hand, is ideal for those who crave a more structured, interactive experience through Japanese online lessons with professional native Japanese teachers. We offer consistent speaking practice and formal certificates to showcase your progress, making us a great fit for anyone who wants accountability and a clear path to conversational fluency.

Ultimately, your choice comes down to your personal goals and learning style. We hope this article helped you figure out which Japanese language learning website is the best fit for you in 2025. Happy learning! 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Japademy's Online Japanese Lessons

Here are some quick and brief answers to a few questions you might have about our 10-week courses!

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How long are the courses? 

Our courses are 10 weeks long, and each week you'll have one 105-minute live lesson.

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Do I need to know any Japanese to get started? 

Not at all! Our Beginner 1 course is perfect for people who have never studied Japanese before. You'll also get free access to our pre-recorded videos to help you start learning the basics even before the course officially begins.

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How do I know what level to join? 

If you're a complete beginner, our Beginner 1 course is the right place to start. If you've studied before, you can take our placement questionnaire or look at our curriculum to find the best course for your level.

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How much time should I dedicate to studying each week? 

Besides your weekly live lesson, we recommend you set aside at least an extra 90 minutes a week for self-study. We provide vocabulary flashcards and video lessons to help you review what you learned in class.

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Are there any other costs? 

No, there aren't. We provide all the exclusive learning materials you'll need, created by our native Japanese teachers. You won't have to buy any extra books or materials.