What's the Best Way to Learn Japanese Kanji?

Learning a language is a skill like swimming or driving. The more practice it, the more you learn. When you want to learn a language, try to start at the grass root level. If you plan to learn Japanese, then you should first know what’s the best way to learn kanji. Japanese consists of three distinct types of writing systems: hiragana, kanji and katakana. This is what makes it very difficult for a native English speaker to learn Japanese. English language has only 26 characters to learn. But in Japanese the hiragana, the simplest of the three writing systems comprises of approximately 45 characters; kanji comprises of 2000 to 3000 characters; and katakana also has several characters! 
The three writing systems mentioned above are both independent and interdependent for their comprehension. This means that you can write hiragana and make sense, without using kanji. But there are places when the hiragana has to be used with kanji in order to explain the meaning. When you start learning kanji, make sure that you are very thorough with hiragana. Then proceed to learn kanji. 
Kanji is the most important alphabet system in the Japanese language. Each character represents a symbol or a concept. Two or more kanji characters can be combined to make sense. Kanji is also used in combination with hiragana to make sense of the character. When you start learning kanji, practice the following techniques to learn kanji: 

• A very good method to learn kanji is to practice the kanji script several times till you master it. This is not as easy as it sounds. This is because when you write kanji, a minor difference in the stroke can change the whole character. It does not matter when you type, but if you read what someone else has written or you have to write in kanji, it matters a lot. If you have problem practicing the strokes, you can count how many strokes a particular stroke has and then try writing it. 
• Along with the strokes, keep trying to pick up the way kanji is pronounced. Try to do this in the context of the sentences. Do not resort to rote memorization; it will only make the learning process boring.
• Try to learn kanji in a group, along with your friends, or make friends with those who are learning kanji. This way you can practice kanji and discuss your doubts as well. 
• As you learn to read the kanji, make sure that you read books related to it. 
• Make sure you keep a track of your progress. Plan out how much you will practice writing, reading previously learnt characters and also plan how many new characters you will learn every day. 
• You can try the Heisig method. This method suggests that kanji should be learnt by referring to specially written stories. Once you start reading the kanji, these stories will help you to retain what you have leant and also help you to learn new characters of kanji. 
• Making use of flashcards is also another good way to learn kanji. 

Thus, there may be several methods to learn Japanese kanji, but the most important thing that you should remember is that you should be consistent in your efforts. If you keep your interest alive and work hard, you are sure to find success in learning a language as  complicated  as Japanese.