How to Add a Japanese Keyboard in Windows 11 and Type in Japanese

Windows 11 includes a free Japanese keyboard, the Microsoft IME, that lets you type hiragana, katakana, and kanji on a regular keyboard. You type Japanese sounds in romaji (Latin letters), and the IME converts them as you go. This guide shows how to add the Japanese keyboard, switch to it, type and convert text, use handy shortcuts, and fix common problems.

Quick Answer

Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, click Add a language, choose Japanese, click Next, and Install (uncheck Set as my Windows display language if you want to keep English menus). Press Windows + Space to switch to Japanese, then Alt + ` (the key left of 1) to toggle between English letters (A) and hiragana (あ).

Step 1: Add the Japanese Keyboard

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Time & language > Language & region.
3. Next to Preferred languages, click Add a language.
4. Type Japanese, select 日本語 Japanese, and click Next.
5. Choose optional features. Uncheck “Set as my Windows display language” unless you want Windows menus in Japanese. Keep Basic typing checked.
6. Click Install and wait for the download to finish.

Japanese now appears under Preferred languages, and JPN or ENG shows on the taskbar near the clock.

Step 2: Switch to Japanese

• Press Windows + Space to cycle keyboards, or click the language indicator on the taskbar and choose Japanese – Microsoft IME.
• When Japanese is active, the IME shows A (direct English input) or あ (hiragana). Press Alt + `, or the Hankaku/Zenkaku key on a Japanese keyboard, to toggle. You can also click the A/あ icon.

Step 3: Type and Convert

1. With あ active, type romaji. For example, tenki becomes てんき.
2. Press Space to convert to kanji (天気). Press Space again to see a list of candidates, then use the arrow keys or the number shown to pick one.
3. Press Enter to confirm.
4. For a long sentence, type it all and press Space. Use Left/Right Arrow to move between segments and Shift + Left/Right to change segment length.

Romaji Tips

• ん: type nn (for example, konnnichiha for こんにちは).
• Small っ: double the next consonant (kitte → きって).
• Small ゃ, ゅ, ょ: type kya, shu, cho, or prefix with x or l (xya → ゃ).
• Long vowel mark ー: press the – key.
• Particles: は is ha, を is wo, へ is he.

Useful Conversion Shortcuts

Key	Converts the current input to
F6	Hiragana (てんき)
F7	Full-width katakana (テンキ)
F8	Half-width katakana (ﾃﾝｷ)
F9	Full-width romaji (ｔｅｎｋｉ)
F10	Half-width romaji (tenki)
Esc	Cancel conversion

Right-click the あ icon to switch input modes directly (Hiragana, Full-width Katakana, Half-width Alphanumeric, and more), open the IME Pad to draw kanji you can’t read, or add words to the dictionary.

Change Microsoft IME Settings

1. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
2. Click the three dots next to Japanese > Language options.
3. Under Keyboards, click the three dots next to Microsoft IME > Keyboard options.
4. Here you can switch between romaji and kana input (under General), change key settings, turn predictive suggestions on or off, and manage the user dictionary.

Troubleshooting

• Typing produces English only: the IME is in A mode. Press Alt + ` or click the icon to switch to あ.
• Japanese doesn’t appear in Windows + Space: make sure the language finished installing and that Microsoft IME is listed under Keyboards in Japanese language options.
• Keyboard types the wrong symbols: Windows may have added a Japanese hardware layout. In Language options, check Keyboard layout > Change layout and pick your physical keyboard (for example, English 101/102).
• IME is slow or crashes: in Microsoft IME settings, turn on Use previous version of Microsoft IME under General > Compatibility.
• Accidental switching: change or turn off the switch shortcut in Settings > Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings > Input language hot keys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Japanese keyboard to type Japanese?

No. The Microsoft IME works with any standard keyboard using romaji input.

How do I remove the Japanese keyboard?

Open Language & region, click the three dots next to Japanese, and choose Remove.

Can I use the touch keyboard for Japanese?

Yes. With Japanese selected, the touch keyboard offers both romaji and a 12-key kana layout.

Summary

1. Add Japanese in Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
2. Switch with Windows + Space, then toggle A/あ with Alt + `.
3. Type romaji, press Space to convert, and Enter to confirm.
4. Use F6 to F10 for quick hiragana, katakana, and romaji conversions.