Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese - Complete Guide
Bridge from intermediate to advanced Japanese (N3-N2 levels)
What is Tobira and when should I use it?
Tobira is an intermediate Japanese textbook for learners who have completed Genki I-II or equivalent (N5-N4). It covers N3 to N2 level content through 15 chapters focusing on cultural topics, advanced grammar, kanji, and authentic reading materials. It's ideal for progressing from intermediate to advanced Japanese.
- Designed for learners who completed Genki I & II or Minna no Nihongo I & II
- Covers approximately 600 new vocabulary words and 120+ kanji
- 15 chapters organized around cultural and social topics
- Includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities
- Comes with free online resources including audio files and grammar exercises
- Best for classroom use or self-study with solid N4 foundation
About
Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese is an intermediate to advanced textbook designed for learners who have completed beginner courses like Genki or Minna no Nihongo. It provides a comprehensive bridge to upper-intermediate Japanese (N3-N2), featuring authentic materials, cultural topics, and advanced grammar patterns in an integrated learning approach.
Pros and Cons of
Advantages
- •Authentic reading materials and cultural content
- •Natural progression from Genki or Minna no Nihongo
- •Comprehensive coverage of N3-N2 grammar and vocabulary
- •Free online resources including audio and exercises
- •Topic-based chapters make learning engaging and contextual
- •Develops all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
- •Widely used in university Japanese programs
Disadvantages
- •Requires solid N4 foundation to start (can't skip Genki)
- •Primarily in Japanese with minimal English support
- •More expensive than beginner textbooks
- •Can be challenging for self-study without teacher feedback
- •Only one main textbook (no sequel for N1)
- •Some topics may feel academic or formal
Is Right for You?
Best For:
- ✓Students who completed Genki I-II or Minna no Nihongo I-II
- ✓Learners preparing for JLPT N3 or N2 exams
- ✓Those wanting authentic Japanese materials and cultural immersion
- ✓University Japanese programs and intermediate courses
- ✓Students ready to transition from beginner to advanced materials
- ✓Learners with solid hiragana, katakana, and 300+ kanji foundation
Not Ideal For:
- ✗Beginners or those who haven't completed N5-N4 materials
- ✗Self-study learners without strong motivation (needs discipline)
- ✗Those preferring extensive English explanations
- ✗Students targeting only N5 or N4 levels
- ✗Learners wanting fast-paced JLPT-specific test prep
All Books ()
N3
Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese
By Mayumi Oka, Michio Tsutsui
This textbook bridges the gap between intermediate and advanced Japanese, making it ideal for N3 preparation with authentic readings and comprehensive grammar explanations.
¥8,700
Prices may vary
Frequently Asked Questions About
You should have completed an N5-N4 level textbook series (like Genki I & II or Minna no Nihongo I & II) before starting Tobira. You should be comfortable with basic grammar patterns, hiragana, katakana, and approximately 300-400 kanji. Starting Tobira without this foundation will be very challenging.