Choose one anchor
Pick a familiar character, such as 木. Notice its shape and basic meaning before opening every branch.
Kanji Mind Map: A Beginner’s Japanese Reference
Explore how kanji components connect. Start with N5, learn a character in a word, and use the written guide alongside the interactive map.
Kanji mind map
See how Japanese characters connect
Explore our free N5 and N4 kanji mind map: related components, meanings, and readings, one small branch at a time. Start with N5, then switch to N4 when you want to explore further. No login is needed to browse; PDF downloads have a separate verified-email requirement.
Beginner route
Kana → meaning → one example word → reading practice
Kanji component tree
Explore N5 and N4 study sheets. Colored strokes compare visible shapes as memory aids, not historical origins. Component aids can belong to another level; tap a character for its details.
A small study guide
How to read a kanji mind map
Use relationships as a memory aid, then confirm each character in a word.
Compare the pattern
林 places two 木 together; 森 places three together. This visual pattern can make a new word easier to remember.
Check the reading in context
Components are clues, not a universal reading predictor. Learn the reading with a word and sentence.
Worked example: 木 → 林 → 森
The visual relationship is useful for memory; each character still needs its own vocabulary practice.
木き / kitree
林はやし / hayashigrove
森もり / moriforest
Helpful answers for your next step
Understand one idea, try an example, and keep going at your own pace.
How many kanji should I learn for JLPT N5?
The JLPT does not publish a current official, exhaustive N5 kanji count or list. Use the official N5 ability description and sample questions to understand the reading level, then learn kanji in familiar words and sentences. NihongoHub’s maintained map currently groups 103 canonical entries under N5; that is a learning scope for the site, not an official JLPT syllabus or a guarantee of every test character.
References: JLPT: Summary of linguistic competence for each level · JLPT official FAQ · KANJIDIC2 project
What is a kanji radical, and how can it help me remember characters?
A radical is a recognised part used to classify a kanji in dictionaries; learners also use visible components as memory clues. For example, 木 means tree, and 林 and 森 visibly repeat 木 to suggest a grove and a forest. A component can hint at meaning or sound, but it does not reliably tell you the whole character’s reading, so confirm each new word in context.
References: KANJIDIC2 project · KanjiVG: kanji stroke-order data
How does NihongoHub’s Kanji Mind Map work?
Open the map, choose the maintained N5 or N4 scope, and select a sheet or branch to inspect related kanji. Expand only the branch you need, then pan or zoom to follow the connections and open a card for its reading or meaning. The map is a visual study aid; repeated components may appear in more than one branch, and the levels are maintained learning scopes rather than official JLPT lists.
References: KANJIDIC2 project · KanjiVG: kanji stroke-order data
Can I explore NihongoHub’s N5 and N4 kanji mind maps for free?
Yes. Explore the N5 and N4 interactive kanji maps without paying or creating an account. Browse the character groups, open branches and check meanings and readings at your own pace. PDF downloads require verified email separately; email verification is not available yet.
Can I download the NihongoHub N5 or N4 kanji PDF?
PDF downloads require a verified email login. Email verification is not available yet, so you cannot currently complete a new PDF download. You can still explore every public N5/N4 map without logging in. Joining the launch waitlist does not verify your email for PDF access.
Is NihongoHub’s N5 or N4 kanji map an official JLPT kanji list?
No. The map is a maintained study scope assembled for learning, with 103 canonical N5 entries and 181 additional N4 entries in the current notes. The JLPT describes abilities and test sections but does not provide a current exhaustive N5/N4 kanji list. Use the map for structured review, then consult official JLPT level descriptions and sample questions for exam expectations.
References: JLPT official FAQ · JLPT: Summary of linguistic competence for each level · KANJIDIC2 project
Edited by the NihongoHub Team · 14 September 2026 · Sources & corrections