Studying for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 is always a challenge—even more so if you don’t have the right books. That’s why we’ve created the perfect guide for choosing the best study books for you so you can pass the first time around!
So, what are the 20 best books for the JLPT N2? Here they are (in no specific order):
- Nihongo Power Drill Nihongo JLPT N2
- Full Master Grammar Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2
- Kanzen Master Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2, Vocabulary (English and Japanese Edition)
- Kanzen Master Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2, Reading Comprehension (English and Japanese Edition)
- Kanzen Master Kanji Comprehension Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 (Shin Kanen Masuta Kanj)
- Nihongo Noryoku Shiken Koshiki Mondaishu, N2
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2 Vocabulary (Nihongo Noryokushiken taisaku Nihongo so mato)
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2 Kanji (Nihongo Noryokushiken taisaku Nihongo so matome N2)
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test Nihongo So-matome N2 Grammar
- Nihongo Somatome N2 Dokkai (NOKEN JLPT Japanese Reading)
- Nihongo So matome N2 Listening Chokai JLPT 2CD
- Pattern-Betsu Tettei Drill JLPT N2 with CDs
- JLPT N2 Nihongo Power Drill N2 Vocabulary More Vocabulary Practice 640 Questions
- Nihongo Kanji Training (for JLPT N2 & 3) – Japanese Writing Study Book
- N2-New Japanese Proficiency Test Grammar (Explanation+Exercise) – Blue Book
- Sugoi Japanese JLPT N2: Vocabulary 4600
- JLPT N2 Listening (Preparatory Course for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
- The Learner’s Kanji Dictionary
- Merriam-Webster’s Japanese-English Dictionary
Buying and studying from 20 books can be a bit excessive, so it’s important to choose the study books that will work best for you. We’ll break down each book and give you information on where to buy these books, along with valuable information about the JLPT N2!
The Ultimate Guide to JLPT N2 Study Books
Picking the right JLPT N2 study book can be difficult; everyone tends to learn differently, and some study books don’t account for that. Considering that most JLPT study books have Japanese titles, picking out the correct one is even more difficult. This guide will help you find the right textbooks for you.
Keep in mind that there are three main categories of books: dictionaries, study guides, and workbooks. While you won’t need 20 books, it’s important to realize that you’ll definitely need around 10. Each category of books also has subcategories for each JLPT section: grammar, vocabulary, kanji, reading, and listening.
Note: the study guides are typically released in sets, and you’ll notice two prominent sets in this list. The Kanzen Master guides and the Somato guides are two series of study guides that are meant to help you master the Japanese language on their own. However, both of these series lack in certain areas, so finding a good mix of the two, along with other resources, is the best option for most people.
1. Nihongo Power Drill Nihongo JLPT N2
This workbook focuses on giving you test questions to keep you on track with your other studies. You’ll definitely need to pair this study book with multiple others, but it’s unique in the fact that it gives you simple drills to do—it will definitely make your studies feel less repetitive.
The questions specifically focus on kanji, vocabulary, and grammar, so it won’t be super helpful for the reading comprehension or listening sections. However, making sure that you’ve got your vocabulary perfect will help you regardless of section.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872177831, and the author is Mariko Matsuura.
2. Full Master Grammar Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2
Just like the name suggests, this study guide is meant to help you through the grammar part of the JLPT N2 . You should be prepared though; the book is entirely in Japanese, so you’ll need to be able to read grammar explanations in Japanese.
That might sound intimidating, but if you’re truly at the JLPT N2 level, then you should have no problem! It’ll get easier after the first few lessons as well, and it’s the best way to immerse yourself and prepare for the test.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784883195657, and the author is Etuko Tomomatu.
3. Kanzen Master Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2, Vocabulary (English and Japanese Edition)
This study book is great for learning Japanese vocabulary in real-life situations. You’ll learn the vocabulary you need to know for the JLPT N2 while also reading and practicing in sentences that are critiqued for being too old-school in Japanese culture. However, these sometimes offensive viewpoints will help you understand the bedrock of a lot of Japanese ideas today.
Most cultures have a history that they don’t always want to put on full display. This Japanese study guide will show you Japanese history that’s a little harsh, but in the end, you’ll better understand current Japanese culture—this helps you understand how the language changed/changes as well.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784883195749, and the author is Hiroaki Ino.
4. Kanzen Master Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2, Reading Comprehension (English and Japanese Edition)
This is a companion book for the vocabulary edition that’s third on this list and the grammar edition that’s second. This specific book will help you on the reading comprehension part of the JLPT N2. Just like it’s counterparts, this book is completely in Japanese, so you’ll need to be prepared enough to study solely in Japanese.
Specifically, this guide covers every type of reading comprehension passages that show up in the JLPT N2, so you’ll have seen each type of reading beforehand—this gives you a huge advantage if you can learn the types of questions. You’ll also have multiple chances to practice on each type, so you’ll be well prepared for the actual exam.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784883195725, and the author is Hitomi Tashiro.
5. Kanzen Master Kanji Comprehension Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 (Shin Kanen Masuta Kanj)
As the fourth and final book in the series that includes the second, third, and fourth book on this list, you can round out your studies with the kanji section of the JLPT N2. Similar to the others, this book is completely in Japanese.
You’ll learn and practice all the kanji you need to know with this study guide. You won’t find multiple choice questions like the exam has; however, you’ll find open-ended questions and responses that test your memory, which prepares you much better than multiple choice questions do.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784883195473, and the author is Reiko Ishii.
6. Nihongo Noryoku Shiken Koshiki Mondaishu, N2
This is the official study book that the JLPT N2 website provides. This booklet has a companion CD as well, so you’ll be able to really work on the listening section of the exam. Since it’s endorsed by the Japanese government, you’ll find that it’s the most accurate compared to the actual exam.
While you can buy the book in paper form, you can also download a .pdf file of it for free on the JLPT website. This booklet essentially acts as a mock exam, but the physical form has correct answers for each question. This actually helps you know what you’re doing wrong so you can improve instead of just answering the questions.
Even if you don’t buy this booklet, it’s worth downloading for free before you take the exam just to test yourself and how comfortable you are.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784893588180.
7. Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2 Vocabulary (Nihongo Noryokushiken taisaku Nihongo so mato)
This vocabulary book is great for any kind of learner, and you can adjust it to your own pace, which is beneficial. Words are grouped by topic, making it extremely easy to learn and recall when you need them later.
It’s important to note that this book gives you very literal translations for vocabulary, so in some cases, there are a few things that might sound weird if you use them in real-life situations. However, you’ll encounter this throughout your Japanese studies, so it’s no different than any of your other studies. In fact, it’ll help you to know the literal translations and the meaning of the word.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872177282, and the author is Hitoko Sasaki.
8. Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT N2 Kanji (Nihongo Noryokushiken taisaku Nihongo so matome N2)
This book goes right along with the book above, except it focuses on kanji instead of vocabulary. Similar to the vocabulary book, you’ll learn kanji in clusters that are all related, so it’s easy to commit to memory; it’s also a fun way to learn, and you can easily focus on visual learning if you need to.
The kanji that this book teaches you will be everything you need to know in order to pass the JLPT N2, but you’ll need to do further studying than the book guides you through. It’s up to you to make sure you’re memorizing the kanji however you need to, whether that’s through additional practice or writing them over and over.
It’s a helpful tool, but remember that it’s up to you how much you get out of any study book.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 978-4872177275, and the author is Hitoko Sasaki.
9. Japanese Language Proficiency Test Nihongo So-matome N2 Grammar
Going along with the seventh and eighth book in this list is the grammar book. You’ll learn over 460 grammar points with visuals along the way, making it perfect for those visual learners. While it doesn’t go super in-depth compared to other grammar books, it’s definitely a good starting point, especially if you’re struggling with grammar.
Most people who use this book find that it’s helpful to get additional information online when they struggle, and the book functions more as an introduction and checklist of the grammar points you need to know. While it’s not a comprehensive guide on N2 grammar, it gives you a nice outline of everything you need to know.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872177299, and the author is Hitoko Sasaki.
10. Nihongo Somatome N2 Dokkai (NOKEN JLPT Japanese Reading)
Part of the JLPT N2 requires you to know the opinions or intentions of authors as part of the reading comprehension portion. Things like vocab and most reading comprehension guides don’t focus much on this; it’s generally something you learn after hours or practice. However, this guide book focuses solely on just that!
While it follows the series of Somatome books we’ve already looked at, it stands apart from the others because of its hyper-specific content. This is a must-have study book, regardless of your decision to use the other books that go along with it.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872177640, and the author is Hitoko Sasaki.
11. Nihongo So matome N2 Listening Chokai JLPT 2CD
This book focuses on the listening aspect of the JLPT N2 by starting out with simple concepts, such as passive voice, and building on top of it to naturally push your comprehension. It’s a great way for auditory learners to get the most out of their study time.
You’ll also learn how words and sentences are used in the context of everyday situations. While this is useful for practical use, it’s also specifically targeted to JLPT N2 since you’ll have to know how to communicate in any given social situation.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872177923, and the author is Hitoko Sasaki.
12. Shin Nihongo 500 Mon JLPT N2 Grammar Kanji Vocabulary Drill Japanese
This is the final Somatome book—you’ll be able to test all your knowledge from your JLPT N2 studying with this drill guide. While it’s not quite a practice exam, it’s a great tool for comprehensive review, and you’ll still be able to see what you need to work on.
You’ll want to use this book alongside other reviews in order to see how well prepared you are; the Somatome books are known for their somewhat-lacking social definitions of words, so you’ll want to use other review guides to make sure you’re getting authorial intent correct.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872179422, and the author is Hitoko Sasaki.
13. Pattern-Betsu Tettei Drill JLPT N2 with CDs
This study book acts as a comprehensive set of practice questions for you to work on when you’re done learning everything you need to for the JLPT N2. You can think of this as a giant mock exam; it’s longer than the real test, but it takes everything you’ve learned and puts it into the same format as the exam is.
This is a good study guide for everyone to use. You’ll be able to test yourself, which will show you your strengths and weaknesses. You can use that knowledge to decide what you should focus on in your studies.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784757419100, and the author is Shun’ya Nishikuma.
14. JLPT N2 Nihongo Power Drill N2 Vocabulary More Vocabulary Practice 640 Questions
This study guide is a great tool to test yourself and practice your vocabulary skills. If you’ve taken mock exams, or you know that vocabulary isn’t your strong suite, then these 640 questions will help you memorize your vocabulary.
The best part is that you can use this drill guide multiple times—and learning/memorizing vocabulary takes repetitive actions. This isn’t a single use item, and you can always come back to it to brush up on those stubborn vocabulary words.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872177688, and the author is Mariko Matsul.
15. Nihongo Kanji Training (for JLPT N2 & 3) – Japanese Writing Study Book
Learning how to write and remember kanji characters is one of the most difficult parts of learning Japanese for English learners. The writing system is so different from the alphabet that English uses, and it’s one of the more difficult and strenuous tasks you have to do before taking the JLPT N2, where you’ll be tested on kanji.
This guide is one of the most effective ways to learn and practice kanji. It focuses on teaching you the patterns that are commonly found in kanji, which massively helps you with deductive reasoning on the actual exam (and in real-life situations).
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784872177947.
16.N2-New Japanese Proficiency Test Grammar (Explanation+Exercise) – Blue Book
This is another Japanese grammar guide that’s written completely in Japanese. Once again, it’s proving itself to be the most popular and best way to learn grammar. It makes sure to break down every point as thoroughly as possible, and the grammar points are separated by units that build together.
A benefit to this specific grammar book is that it breaks things down into what they literally mean and how they’re used, which can help you determine the context of what’s being said (and to a lesser extent, the author’s point-of-view). With plenty of practice questions and exercises, you’ll know everything you need to by the time you take the JLPT N2.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9787562829997, and the author is Xu Xiao Ming.
17. Sugoi Japanese JLPT N2: Vocabulary 4600
This Japanese vocabulary guide is made to be as friendly to users as possible, with cute graphics and tons of vocabulary to memorize. It’s also an ebook, so you can study anywhere without having to carry around a textbook or workbook.
While this book doesn’t really break down the vocabulary into helpful sections, it definitely has many more words than any other vocabulary study book out there. If you use this, you’ll have to rely a little more on your own studying skills and your ability to section things off to work on. It takes a lot of effort, but it can be a great tool for the right kind of learner.
The author is Kim Hee Jung.
18. JLPT N2 Listening (Preparatory Course for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
This book focuses solely on the listening aspect of the JLPT N2, and it does a great job. If you find yourself struggling in the listening portions, then this is the perfect guide for you. With plenty of information and practice tools, you’ll be a pro in no time.
This is also the most widely-used study book in Japan for those learning Japanese and attempting to take the JLPT N2; Japanese experts recommend this specific book for listening training compared to any of its competitors.
The ISBN-13 number for this book is 9784896894752, and the author is Setsuko Matsumoto.
19. The Learner’s Kanji Dictionary
This is a must-have for any JLPT N2 taker! Having a kanji dictionary by your side will help you whenever you encounter kanji characters that don’t appear in your study guides; since there are over 6,000 kanji characters in everyday life, and you have to know how to communicate everyday Japanese, a dictionary is required.
You’ll be able to look kanji up based on each stroke that makes up a character, and each kanji is listed in multiple places to make sure you find it when you’re searching. The letters also have instructions on how they’ve written, which is extremely helpful when you’re studying for the JLPT N2.
The ISBN-13 of this book is 9780804835565, and the author is Mark Spahn.
20. Merriam-Webster’s Japanese-English Dictionary
While you have the kanji dictionary, you’ll need to have a regular dictionary! Since Japanese uses three different writing systems, it’s important to have an easy way to find information on any kind of lettering.
This dictionary will serve you all the way through your JLPT tests, with plenty of business terminology as well as everyday uses. You’ll also find basic kanji characters, so it’s a good choice if you only get one dictionary.
The ISBN-13 number of this book is 9780877798613.
Where to Buy JLPT N2 Study Books
Every book that’s in our lists can be found on Amazon! For most people, this is the easiest way to get study books, and it can also be one of the quickest. You can find each book by either the ISBN number or the title; searching by either will pull up the correct book. Some of the books are even available as ebooks!
If you’re looking for discounted versions of these study guides, you can do a quick google search of the ISBN number and the title; because these are foreign language books, you might find books that have the same ISBN number, so you have to search with both terms.
Places like eBay, Thriftbooks.com, and even the Google Play store have copies of most of these books, so you have more options than just Amazon. There are also plenty of other, smaller websites that sell books, but you have to be careful when buying books from smaller foreign companies.
Make sure you use a protected payment method, like Paypal or a credit (not debit) card.
However, if you’re buying a drill guide or a workbook, then buying used may not be the best option. In many cases, the exercises will be filled out already, which can hinder your studies. While you might think you can ignore the answers, it doesn’t push you as hard as if they weren’t there, and the temptation will distract you from actually studying.
What Should I Be Prepared for on the JLPT N2?
Luckily, the JLPT website lists out what types of situations you should be prepared for before you take the exam. You can find out what you need exactly here. We’ll break down some of the more complex concepts here for you.
When it comes to vocabulary and grammar, you’ll need to be able to understand pretty much everything except for educational terms or business terms. You’ll need to be able to communicate and understand things like sarcasm, so your vocabulary needs to be perfect if you’re going to focus on the underlying quirks in language.
You’ll need to be able to read materials that you’d encounter in daily life clearly, such as magazines, newspapers, and other articles on any topics. You’ll also need to be able to understand simple critiques and understand authorial intent, so knowing connotations and syntax are extremely important.
When it comes to listening skills, you’ll need to be able to clearly understand everyday conversations, such as news reports or conversations, at the same speed in which they’re spoken. You should be able to follow the conversation and understand what’s transpiring as well as determine the relationship between people based on the conversation.
Remember that the JLPT N2 is the second hardest test in the 5-part series; you should be at the same level as a native Japanese-speaking high schooler. You won’t need to know business terms or understand higher-level education courses, but you will need to be pretty close to that point.
You also don’t have to focus on abstract writings, such as literature of poetry. This will help you determine the actual meaning of a lot of vocabulary as well as use deductive reasoning a little bit better.
You can find a self-evaluation list here. This is based upon people who have taken the JLPT tests, and you can see what they thought of their proficiency level before they took the test and what results they received. This is a great way to see where you fall without having to take an entire mock exam.