Begin by learning simple basic structure of kanji. Go to the Learn Japanese Language website and click on the first lesson for learning Japanese scripts. Start with the section on Japanese symbols to understand the difference between Chinese and Japanese kanji symbols and to get an idea of how the kanji symbols can be a visual representation of an idea.
Use the Japanese kanji dictionary to search for how a word is written in kanji. Simply type in a Japanese word or English word in the search bar to perform a translation. Click on the magnifying glass under the "Stroke" heading to see how the stroke of the kanji is written. Read the definition and click on the reading sound clips to hear how the word is spoken in Japanese.
Go to the Language School website and click on the "Kanji JLPT List" option under the "Learn How to Read Kanji" heading. Go through each kanji lesson and take notes while you read. Once you're finished with all of the lessons, take the proficiency quiz to test what you've learned.
Use the free online Java Kanji Flashcard 500 application once you've learned several kanji. Practice with each flash card by clicking on "show front" to see if you were correct with what the kanji on the card is.