Can You Guess What It Is? 

Each page begins with the simple question 「これ なに？」 (What’s this?) and a beautifully crafted object to observe.

Learners carefully look at each picture and decide what it resembles. Some may look like a lemon, a bell, a Christmas tree, or a ball. As they continue reading, they discover that every picture is actually a beautifully crafted traditional Japanese sweet (wagashi).

Authentic photographs help learners connect Japanese words with real Japanese culture, while repeated question patterns build early reading confidence.

Learners are introduced to both hiragana and katakana from the very beginning. Katakana words include hiragana support (furigana), making it easy for complete beginners to become familiar with both Japanese writing systems.

The final page introduces wagashi as traditional Japanese sweets often enjoyed with green tea, offering learners a gentle introduction to Japanese food culture.

This reader helps learners build reading confidence through curiosity, observation, authentic Japanese language, and the discovery of traditional wagashi.

Language Features

Students will practise:

• Reading the simple question 「これ なに？」
• Using picture clues to predict meaning
• Reading hiragana
• Recognising basic katakana with hiragana support (furigana)
• Building beginner vocabulary
• Developing reading confidence through repeated question patterns
• Discovering authentic Japanese food culture

Details: 

Japanese Reader Level: 1
Recommended for: Complete Beginners
Language Focus: Simple question pattern (これ なに？)
Vocabulary Theme: Everyday objects used as visual clues
Cultural Theme: Traditional Japanese wagashi and tea culture

Character Count: 131
Pages: 15
Product Type: A5 saddle-stitched booklet
ISBN: 978-0-6481178-9-6

Perfect For

• Students taking their first steps in reading Japanese
• Primary school Japanese programs
• Beginning secondary school students
• Adult beginners
• Home learning
• Japanese language classrooms
• Introducing Japanese food culture through authentic photographs

📚 Teaching & Learning Resources

Every reader includes free access to our Resource Library.

Included with every reader:

• 🎧 Audio recordings narrated by Mariko Sensei
• 📖 English translation
• 💻 Quizlet vocabulary activities

Also available for schools and teachers:

• 🖥️ Class Sets with Online Flipbooks

💜 A Note from Mariko Sensei

Traditional Japanese sweets, known as wagashi, are admired for their delicate beauty, seasonal designs, and careful craftsmanship.

As a child, wagashi always felt special. Sometimes my grandmother took me to a small wagashi shop and let me choose one. I loved looking at the beautiful sweets before deciding which one to take home.

When writing this book, I chose to use 「これ なに？」 instead of the more formal 「これは なんですか。」 because this is how Japanese children naturally speak in everyday life. I also used the natural response 「わからない。」 rather than the more formal 「わかりません。」 so learners can experience authentic, everyday Japanese from the very beginning.

I hope this book helps you discover both the Japanese language and the beauty of traditional wagashi.

Happy reading!

— Mariko Sensei

📖 Your Next Japanese Reader

Now that you’ve practised reading simple questions, continue your Japanese reading journey with new vocabulary, simple phrases, and more authentic Japanese culture.

Try these readers next:

• しりとり — Continue building your reading confidence while enjoying one of Japan’s favourite word game.
• これなに？ — Discover traditional Japanese sweets through a fun guessing game using simple questions and authentic photographs.
• にほんのおかし — Learn about popular Japanese snacks by reading simple descriptions and guessing each treat.

📚 Explore More Japanese Reader Packs

Continue your Japanese reading journey with our carefully graded Japanese Reader Packs.

• Beginner Hiragana Readers Starter Pack (Levels 1–3) — A carefully graded introduction to reading Japanese through words, phrases, questions, and simple sentences.
• Primary & Elementary School Japanese Readers Pack — Authentic Japanese readers designed for young learners, with engaging cultural topics and visual support.
• All Japanese Readers Pack — Our complete collection of graded readers, providing a structured pathway from Level 1 to Level 9.

These Japanese readers are intended for individual use and extensive reading (tadoku).

© Mariko Earle. All rights reserved.