There are two real ways to learn the foundations: a bootcamp, or teaching yourself. Both work. Here's how to choose, and what to actually study.
Option 1: Go to a proper bootcamp
A good bootcamp gives you structure, deadlines, and a cohort. It is faster and more accountable — and more expensive. If you can afford it and you know you do better with external structure, it's a fine choice.
Bootcamps in Tokyo worth knowing:
- Code Chrysalis — an intensive, English-friendly bootcamp in Tokyo.
- Le Wagon — a global bootcamp with a Tokyo campus.
A bootcamp is not required, and it is not magic — you still have to do the work. But for some people the structure is worth the price.
Option 2: Self-taught — learn at your own speed
This is the path most of this guide assumes, and it works. The approach:
Start by learning through online courses (Udemy, YouTube). Then — afterwards or alongside the courses — start building your own app, so you're learning the practical application of your new knowledge.
The mistake to avoid is tutorial purgatory: endlessly consuming courses without ever building. A good rule: for every hour of course, spend at least an hour building something yourself, even if it's tiny and ugly.
What to learn, in order
1. JavaScript
JavaScript is the best first language for this path — it runs in the browser and on the server, so one language takes you a long way, and the job market for it is huge.
- The Complete JavaScript Course (Jonas Schmedtmann, Udemy) — "From Zero to Expert." A thorough, well-regarded starting point.
2. Web development (HTML & CSS)
Web is the easiest place to start and has consistent job opportunities at every skill level. You'll write HTML for structure and CSS for style.
- Build Responsive Real-World Websites with HTML and CSS (Udemy) — a strong project-based intro.
- Then build a small example: a TODO-list web page (you'll go much deeper on this in the next chapter).
- Make CSS fun while you learn it:
- Flexbox Froggy — learn flexbox as a game.
- CSS Grid Garden — learn CSS grid as a game.
3. A component framework: React or Vue
Once vanilla JavaScript feels comfortable, learn one modern front-end framework:
- Vue is cleaner and easier to learn.
- React is more popular at companies.
Either is a good choice — pick one and go deep rather than dabbling in both.
4. Build a project
Reading and watching only gets you so far. The moment you can write basic JavaScript, you should be building. That's the entire next chapter.
Do this now
Decide your path: bootcamp or self-taught. If self-taught, enroll in a JavaScript course and an HTML/CSS course today, and play through Flexbox Froggy tonight. Then keep moving — the goal isn't to finish every course before building, it's to build while you learn.