Should I take German or Japanese? I’m stuck between the two because they sound so beautiful and I want to learn more about their language and culture. I’ve taken French 1, 2, and 3 my freshmen and sophomore years. I can’t take French 4 because of conflicting schedule. However, I have an open slot during last period and both Japanese and German are offered. Those who has taken or is currently taking either German/Japanese, what are some pointers? What is easy and hard learning about it? Thank in advance!!! 
Japanese, as you know, uses an entirely different alphabet/pictogram system that may be more difficult to read/write.
German has tough grammar but there are mostly rules about it and that would be easier. German spelling is easy.
@bopper thanks for your input
Both are harder than French. German has cases and declensions (like Latin) as well as difficulties with comma use, word order, and irregular verbs.
Those aren’t a problem in Japanese, however there are three systems of writing, including one that isn’t alphabet but ideograms. Therefore it’s one of the most difficult languages for an English speaker to learn.
Anyway if you’re only doing one level as an elective, pick whichever one you like best. You don’t really get into any major difficulty during the first year.
Note: when colleges say they recommend 4 years, they mean level 4 in one language, not three years of one and one year of another.
Colleges will understand a scheduling conflict.
Which language has the best teacher at your high school?
My son really enjoyed Japanese but it was a lot of work, and certainly not easy. Other posters have summarized the differences between studying the two languages. German will have more in common with french. Take Japanese if you want something totally different and german if you want something closer to continuity.
Japanese is one of the “critical languages” that the US government wants more people to learn, and therefore offers scholarships for study abroad and other special programs. I recommend taking Japanese. If you love it, then you might decide to continue studying it in college (as an elective or whatever), and then you could look into the scholarships I mentioned.
Another thing to consider is what culture would you like to learn more about and immerse yourself in, and where would you like to travel one day. Do you enjoy Japanese manga, or TV shows or music or history or food, architecture, martial arts, calligraphy, etc.? What about German culture and the culture of other countries where German is spoken? I’m sure if you think about it, you’ll be able to figure out which one interests you the most. Studying a language is so much more than the alphabet and grammar – it is in introduction to the culture, and gives you insight into a different lifestyle.