How to Type Japanese on a Keyboard: Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji Input

Typing Japanese on a standard keyboard is easier than it looks. Modern operating systems handle the conversion automatically — you type romaji, the input method editor (IME) converts it to hiragana or katakana, and then you can further convert to kanji.

Setting Up Japanese Input

• Windows: Settings > Time and Language > Language > Add Japanese. Use the Microsoft IME or Google Japanese Input.
• Mac: System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources > Add Japanese (Hiragana). Switch with the input menu in the menu bar.
• iPhone/Android: Settings > General/Language > Keyboard > Add Japanese (Romaji or Kana layout)

Romaji Input Method (Most Common)

With romaji input, you type the romanized pronunciation and the IME converts it to kana automatically:

• Type a → あ
• Type ka → か
• Type shi or si → し
• Type chi or ti → ち
• Type tsu or tu → つ
• Type fu or hu → ふ

Typing Special Sounds

Switching Between Hiragana and Katakana

• Windows IME: Alt+Katakana/Hiragana key toggles between modes; F7 converts selection to katakana
• Mac IME: Type in hiragana, select text, press F7 (or use the conversion candidates)
• Both: After typing hiragana, press F7 to convert to katakana, F6 to force hiragana

Kanji Conversion

After typing hiragana, pressing Space shows a list of kanji options. Press Space again to cycle through candidates, Enter to confirm, or Escape to keep hiragana.

• Type hana → はな → Space → 花 (flower) or 鼻 (nose) — pick the right one
• Type ki → き → Space → 木 (tree) or 気 (spirit/feeling) etc.

Practice Sentences to Type

• わたしはがくせいです。(Watashi wa gakusei desu.) — Type: w-a-t-a-s-h-i-w-a-g-a-k-u-s-e-i-d-e-s-u
• コーヒーをのみます。(Koohii wo nomimasu.) — Switch to katakana for コーヒー, then back

Yuka & Rei Set Up Japanese Typing

Learning kana feels abstract until you see how real learners talk about it. Here is Yuka working through the tricky parts — and Rei making the explanations click. Their questions are probably the same ones you have.

Yuka

Rei, I want to type in Japanese but I’m so confused by the input methods. Romaji input or kana input?

Rei

For beginners: romaji input. You type Roman letters and the IME converts them. Type ‘k-a’ → か appears. It uses your existing keyboard skill. Once you’re intermediate, kana input (one key = one character) is faster — but romaji is the right starting point.

Yuka

How do I type small characters like っ and ゃ?

Rei

For small っ: type the following consonant twice — ‘tt’ → っ (then te = て, so ‘tte’ → って). For small ゃ: type ‘xya’ or ‘lya’. Most IMEs also accept ‘kya’ → きゃ directly. Experiment with your IME — Google Japanese Input is the most learner-friendly option.

5 Practice Examples — Read These Aloud

These examples use the characters from this article in real words. Say each one aloud and try to recall the article’s rules as you read.

1. ka → か, ki → き, ku → く (romaji input basics)
2. sha → しゃ, chi → ち, tsu → つ (special romaji conversions)
3. tte → って (double consonant = small っ)
4. nn → ん (type n twice to get ん before a vowel)
5. xya → ゃ, xtu → っ (x prefix forces small character)

Your Turn! Write Your Own Example in the Comments

The fastest way to remember kana is to write words you already know in Japanese script. Try writing your name, your hometown, or your favourite food using the characters from this article.

Share what you wrote in the comments — other learners will see it, and writing for an audience makes the learning stick twice as fast. Log in to save your comment history and join the Top Commenters ranking!

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