Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan – Elementary 1

A2 Level • Daily Communication

Step up from basic phrases with our comprehensive lesson listings for the Irodori Elementary 1 textbook. Master essential A2.1 Japanese communication skills for daily life, including talking about hobbies, navigating towns, and describing schedules, packed with clear explanations and native audio.

Lesson 1: Japanese Greetings (あいさつ)

Learn everyday Japanese greetings — greeting coworkers, saying o-hisashiburi desu to someone you haven't seen in a while, and talking about your job.
Greetings & WorkA2

Lesson 2: Hobbies & Free Time (趣味)

Talk about your hobbies in Japanese — video games, cooking, and sports. Say what you like and what you're good at using 好きです and 得意です.
Hobbies & ActivitiesA2

Lesson 3: Seasons & Climate (季節)

Describe Japan's four seasons in Japanese — cherry blossoms, the rainy season, and snow — and compare the climate of your home country with Japan.
Weather & SeasonsA2

Lesson 4: Weather Forecast (天気予報)

Understand Japanese TV weather forecasts — rain, snow, and temperature expressions — and make plans for tomorrow based on the weather.
Weather & SeasonsA2

Lesson 5: My Town (私の町)

Describe your neighborhood in Japanese — what's convenient, quiet, or lively nearby. Talk about the shops, parks, and places around your home.
Places & DirectionsA2

Lesson 6: Asking & Giving Directions (道)

Ask for and understand directions in Japanese — to the post office, bank, or station — and guide others using go straight and turn left/right.
Places & DirectionsA2

Lesson 7: Meeting & Late (待ち合わせ)

Arrange where and when to meet friends in Japanese, and handle delays politely — apologize, explain a train delay, and keep plans on track.
Social InteractionsA2

Lesson 8: Invitations & Going Out (外出)

Invite someone out and talk about past experiences in Japanese — movies, concerts, and day trips. Share what you did on your day off.
Social InteractionsA2

Lesson 9: Studying Japanese (日本語の勉強)

Talk about your Japanese studies and ask for help — how to read kanji, what a word means, and how to say something in Japanese.
EducationA2

Lesson 10: Japanese Classes (日本語教室)

Find and join a Japanese language class near you. Ask about schedules, fees, and levels at community centers and volunteer classrooms.
EducationA2

Lesson 11: Ingredients & Shopping (食材)

Learn food and ingredient vocabulary for Japanese supermarkets — vegetables, meat, and seasonings — and plan what to cook and buy.
Food & DiningA2

Lesson 12: Foods & Cooking (料理)

Describe how food looks and tastes with expressions like oishisou (おいしそう), and explain recipe steps clearly using Japanese cooking verbs.
Food & DiningA2

Lesson 13: Work Communication (仕事)

Handle daily workplace Japanese — report a problem to your boss, ask colleagues for help, and follow instructions on the job.
Work & BusinessA2

Lesson 14: Taking Time Off (休み)

Ask permission to take a day off and explain why politely — calling in sick, family matters, and swapping shifts at work in Japanese.
Work & BusinessA2

Lesson 15: Hospital & Symptoms (病気)

Visit a doctor in Japan with confidence — describe symptoms like fever and pain, make an appointment, and understand medical instructions.
Health & MedicalA2

Lesson 16: Healthy Lifestyle (健康)

Talk about staying healthy in Japanese — exercise, diet, and sleep habits — and give advice with natural expressions like ようにしています.
Health & MedicalA2

Lesson 17: Home Visits & Gifts (訪問)

Learn Japanese home-visit etiquette — bringing a small gift and greetings at the door — plus gift-giving customs like omiyage and temiyage.
Social & CulturalA2

Lesson 18: Celebrations (お祝い)

Congratulate friends and coworkers in Japanese — birthdays, weddings, and new babies — and learn how celebrations work in Japan.
Social & CulturalA2

About Irodori Elementary 1 (A2) Textbook

いろどり (Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan) is a free Japanese textbook series published by the Japan Foundation. Elementary 1 is the second volume of the series, marking the step up from A1 into the A2 level, containing 18 lessons built around practical "Can-do" goals — describing your town and daily life, talking about hobbies and abilities, giving and receiving gifts, explaining symptoms at a clinic, asking permission, making polite requests, comparing and recommending, and sharing travel experiences. Its grammar (～たことがある, the giving/receiving verbs あげる・もらう・くれる, ～てもいいです, ～てはいけません, ～なければなりません, ～かもしれません, ～んです, comparisons) bridges JLPT N5 and N4, making Elementary 1 the essential middle step toward JFT-Basic readiness. These lessons follow the official book lesson by lesson, with grammar notes, situational vocabulary, and native audio practice.

Explore the series: Irodori Starter (A1) and Irodori Elementary 2 (A2).