EASY AND FUN KATAKANA: How to Read Non-Japanese Loanwords – Illustrated Katakana Workbook for Japanese Learners

EASY AND FUN KATAKANA: How to Read Non-Japanese Loanwords is a practical and enjoyable study workbook designed for beginners learning Japanese. Written by Kiyomi Ogawa and supervised in English by Orrin Cummins, this book focuses on mastering katakana, the writing system used for foreign words, brand names, menus, and modern vocabulary in Japan.

Many learners underestimate katakana at first — but in real life Japan, it appears everywhere. Restaurant menus, cafés, convenience stores, advertisements, technology, and fashion terminology often rely heavily on katakana. Being able to read it dramatically increases everyday comprehension.

The book uses clear illustrations so you can instantly understand meanings and visually connect characters to real-world usage. You will also learn wasei-eigo — Japanese-made English words that look familiar but often have completely different meanings than actual English usage.

By mastering katakana, reading Japanese becomes significantly easier and far more enjoyable, especially when traveling or living in Japan.

Why This Book Is Useful

• Essential for reading menus, signs, packaging, and product labels in Japan

• Teaches foreign loanwords and modern vocabulary

• Learn real-life wasei-eigo expressions

• Illustration-based learning for faster memorization

• Beginner-friendly self-study format

• Perfect companion to hiragana and kanji study

Product Details

Author: Kiyomi Ogawa

English Supervision: Orrin Cummins

Publisher: IBC Publishing

Language: English & Japanese

Pages: 89 pages

Dimensions: 18.2 × 0.9 × 25.7 cm

Category: Japanese language learning / katakana workbook