Master Japanese pronunciation & pitch accent—with a method that actually works.
You’re not alone—most learners are never taught pronunciation properly.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t change how you sound.
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You’ve tried improving your Japanese accent on your own.
You’ve watched videos, repeated after native speakers, and followed instructions—but nothing has clicked. You still feel stuck.
The problem isn’t your effort—it’s the lack of a clear framework.
Japanese pronunciation has a system. I’ll help you understand it, step by step.
Start improving your pronunciation today.
Watch my free workshop series and get a taste of what’s possible.
✔ Two short, pre-recorded workshops that show different ways to improve your accent
✔ Follow-up tips and bonus practice tools sent straight to your inbox
✔ A clear path forward so you know what to focus on next
Or jump straight to the full course.
What’s Really Going On With Your Accent?
You’ve studied grammar. You’ve memorized vocabulary.
You’ve listened to podcasts, shadowed native speakers, maybe even lived in Japan.
But when you speak, something still sounds… off.
You’re not sure why, and no one can quite explain it.
The truth is, most learners never get direct instruction in how Japanese pronunciation actually works.
That includes pitch accent, rhythm, and sound production—all essential for sounding natural and being understood.
This course exists to change that.
Introducing:
Japanese Phonetics 101
An actionable, linguistics-informed course for learners who want to speak with more confidence and clarity in Japanese.
This self-paced online program gives you…
✔ A structured system to hear and produce native-like Japanese
✔ Clear, visual explanations that go beyond textbook rules
✔ Tools to help you recognize what needs improvement—and how to fix it
✔ Feedback opportunities and ongoing support
And you don’t even need to read Japanese to get started. (Though it helps!)
Not ready to join yet? Start with the free workshop series here!
What makes this different
Most Japanese programs skip pronunciation—or expect you to just “pick it up” by listening more.
Japanese Phonetics 101 takes a different approach. You’ll learn the why behind Japanese sounds and pitch accent, and how to train your ear intentionally so you can improve with clarity and confidence.
You’ll learn how to:
Understand the building blocks of Japanese sounds—especially those that don’t exist in English
Decode pitch accent patterns and use them correctly
Identify the spoken rhythm of Japanese and replicate it in your own speech
Train your ear to hear natural-sounding Japanese and correct yourself effectively
You’ll get:
1. Instant access to the full course system
Each of the 6 modules breaks down topics into easy-to-understand lessons. You'll also find a customizable workbook, extra resources and quizzes, as well as the schedule & recordings of office hours here! Lifetime access and all future updates included.
2. Ongoing support
You don't just get the course - you also get extra time with my team and I! Submit your questions - big or small - and join the bimonthly (every two months) office hours live on Zoom. Can't attend? Don't worry! They'll be recorded so you can review them any time.
3. Additional resources
The course includes a growing library of bonus resources, practice tools, and reference materials. Some of the most important resources include Japanese tongue twisters, shadowing how-to, reading and listening resource lists, and tips for practicing!
“Tell me how I’ve been learning Japanese for 20 years and no one ever explained this to me. I took it in college too.”
“Kokoro Communications' Phonetics 101 course breaks down Japanese pronunciation in easy to follow videos and accompanying materials. It's a great mix of theory and practice.”
“This is literally the least taught area of Japanese—and I love it.”
“You’re the first one I’ve seen go in depth into phonetics and pronunciation. Thank you!”
This course is right for you if…
You’ve been learning Japanese for a while, but your pronunciation still feels off
You’re a beginner or heritage speaker who wants to build a strong foundation
You’ve heard of pitch accent, but it’s always felt confusing or intimidating
You want guidance, structure, and lifetime access so you can learn at your own pace
You’re serious about sounding more natural—and want tools that actually help
FAQs
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The course starts when you join! When you finish will all depend on your schedule. You may be able to get through all of the content in one week, but you’ll need time, practice, and patience before you sound like a native speaker. But don't worry! We all learn at different speeds and have different schedules. You’ll have access for the lifetime of the course, and all future updates.
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Not at all. Just come when you can! You can always submit your questions in advance and watch the replays if you can’t make it.
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In order to get the most out of this course, I recommend having some background knowledge, but you don’t need much. Hiragana recognition and some knowledge of grammar and vocabulary helps, but Romaji is provided for you in all lessons so you don’t ned to worry about reading!
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That’s actually perfect. This course is designed to help you go beyond passive listening and shadowing. You’ll finally learn what to listen for—and how to improve in a way that makes sense.
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Dogen’s Patreon is a great resource, especially for learners who enjoy rules-based learning and memorization. My program takes a different approach: Japanese Phonetics 101 is a complete, structured course that starts from the basics and helps you train your ears—not just your memory. It’s designed to be easy to navigate, with videos, quizzes, resources, and live support. You also get lifetime access, so you can revisit the material anytime and never worry about losing it.
Ready to start?
Most learners begin with the free workshop series. It’s the easiest way to understand your own pronunciation habits—and how to improve them.
Already know this is what you’ve been looking for? Join the course now.