Lofi Japanese was created for learners who struggle with traditional language resources—our goal was to remove obstacles from the learning process and create a Japanese course that would never feel like a chore. To this end, we focused on production quality, engaging examples, and a distinctly warm Japanese atmosphere. With Lofi Japanese, we aimed to make a resource learners would genuinely look forward to using.

No. The Lofi Japanese team—including Dogen—believes a solid foundation in Japanese requires constant native input. For that reason, every lesson is delivered by a native Japanese speaker. Lofi Japanese was directed by Dogen, filmed and edited by Skill Hunter, Inc., a small video production team based in Hiroshima, and presented by Karen Shidahara, a freelance model living in rural Hiroshima. The scripts were written by Skill Hunter with guidance from Dogen, revised by certified Japanese teacher Yotsuba Ikarashi for natural language and clarity, then finally refined to match the course’s Lofi style.

In trying to create a practical, but also warm and inviting Japanese learning resource, the Lofi Japanese team drew inspiration from the popular YouTube channel Lofi Girl. Our editors graded footage to emphasize the natural hues and textures of Karen’s home and paired it with similar Lo-Fi music. Title fonts, sizes, and colors, as well as sound effects, were carefully curated to match the aesthetic. Karen completed the look by selecting outfits, makeup, and hairstyles that conveyed a relaxed yet professional atmosphere.

Before her involvement with Lofi Japanese, Karen Shidahara worked as a freelance model and as a waitress at her family’s restaurant in Saijo, Higashi-Hiroshima. She was chosen as course presenter from more than 100 applicants for her natural presentation abilities, professional work ethic, strong screen presence, and clear voice. For more information about Karen, please watch her introduction video.

To create an authentic Japanese atmosphere, the team filmed at Karen’s actual family home in rural Hiroshima. Sessions took place roughly once a week over the course of two years, with occasional breaks to accommodate Karen’s prior modeling commitments and personal affairs. The production relied mainly on natural light, using a Sony FX30 for video and an Azden SGM-3500 shotgun mic for audio.

Lessons are approximately 30 minutes long, though length varies depending on the subject matter. At the start of each lesson, Karen acts out a Dogen comedic skit first at normal speed, then at a slower, more deliberate pace. She then thoroughly breaks down one key grammar point and three essential vocabulary points from the skit. Each lesson concludes with a concise review section and a preview of the next lesson’s content. For a better understanding of lesson structure, please watch the above sample lesson.

During the beta launch, learners can purchase the full Lofi Japanese course at a significantly reduced, one-time price. They’ll receive immediate access to the first 15 lessons immediately upon purchase, with the remaining lessons released weekly until all 30 are available. The discounted phase allows the Lofi team to collect feedback and correct potential issues—such as misspelled subtitles or broken URLs—before the official public launch. Beta learners will retain full, lifetime course access after the public launch and receive all future updates at no extra cost.

We’re aiming to publicly launch the course in mid-September, 2025.

The Lofi Japanese app is currently in development and will be ready before public launch. Until then, the best way to watch the mobile-optimized course on a phone is by using iOS and Android ‘Add to Homescreen’ functionality.

Lofi Japanese was created to offer an approachable alternative to textbooks and more traditional video-based courses—it is not a shortcut to fluency. We encourage learners to watch our sample lesson and compare it with other resources before making a purchase decision.

If you’re not happy with the course for any reason, then let us know within 30 days and we will refund your payment. Please confirm our Refund Policy page for more information.