Using Anki for Japanese Courses

This document was last modified on: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 7:35pm

Introduction

Anki is a flashcard application that schedules vocabulary review over time. Your instructor has already prepared the decks for your course. You do not need to create cards or change the deck settings.

Your task is to import the assigned deck, review the cards due each day, and select an answer button based on how well you remembered each item.

Use the assigned course deck. Do not download a different deck with a similar name unless your instructor tells you to do so.

Basic Workflow

1

Download

Download the course deck file linked below.

2

Import

Open the .apkg file with Anki.

3

Review

Complete the cards shown for the day.

4

Repeat

Return every day for a short review.

How to Install Anki

Install the application on a computer first. This makes importing the course deck and setting up synchronization easier.

PlatformApplicationCostDownload
WindowsAnkiFreeOfficial download
macOSAnkiFreeOfficial download
LinuxAnkiFreeOfficial download
AndroidAnkiDroidFreeGoogle Play
iPhone / iPadAnkiMobilePaidApp Store

AnkiWeb can be used in a browser, but the desktop or mobile application is recommended for the initial deck import.

How to Use an Anki Deck

  1. Download the deck file from the Japanese Anki Decks section.
  2. Locate the downloaded file. Its filename should end in .apkg.
  3. Double-click the file. If Anki does not open, choose File → Import in Anki and select the file.
  4. Confirm the import. The new deck will appear on the main Decks screen.

  1. Select the assigned deck on the Decks screen.
  2. Click Study Now.
  3. Read the question and try to recall the answer before clicking Show Answer.
  4. Compare your answer and choose Again, Hard, Good, or Easy.
  5. Continue until Anki reports that your review is complete.
AgainI did not remember.
HardI remembered with difficulty.
GoodI remembered correctly.
EasyThe answer was immediate.

Tip: “Good” should be your usual answer when you remembered the card correctly.

  1. Create a free account at AnkiWeb.
  2. Click Sync in the upper-right corner of Anki and sign in.
  3. For the first sync, choose Upload to AnkiWeb if your course deck is already on the computer.
  4. Sign in with the same account on your other devices and sync again.
Always synchronize before switching devices. This prevents review progress on one device from conflicting with another.

Japanese Anki Decks

Download the deck assigned for your course. These decks include the vocabulary used in the Genki third-edition textbooks.

Genki 1, 3rd editionVocabulary deck with sound files
Download
Genki 2, 3rd editionVocabulary deck with sound files
Download
GenkikaniGenki 1 kanji and related vocabulary
Download

If you are unsure which deck to download, check your course page or ask your instructor.

Additional Help