Looking for the perfect Japanese learning app? Or are you interested in mastering the Japanese language?
Whether you’re planning to travel to Japan, pursuing a career in the language, or simply fascinated by the culture, learning Japanese can be an enriching and rewarding experience.
With the rise of technology, language learning has become more accessible than ever before, thanks to a plethora of language apps available on your smartphone.
But you might be thinking, which one should you start with? In this blog, we asked the teachers from Coto Academy for suggestions and introduce you to the top 30 apps for learning Japanese.
From vocabulary building to grammar practice and sentence construction, these apps offer a variety of features to help you improve your Japanese language skills.
So, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, these apps are sure to help you achieve your language learning goals. Let’s dive in and explore the best apps for mastering Japanese!
📌 Why Use Japanese Learning Apps?
- Learn anytime, anywhere 📱
- Personalized study plans 🎯
- Interactive & gamified lessons 🎮
- Real-world conversation practice 💬
💡 Tips for Effective Learning
- Set realistic goals – Focus on daily progress.
- Practice consistently – Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference!
- Use multiple resources – Combine apps, textbooks, and native content.
- Engage with native speakers – Apps with chat functions boost confidence.
- Review regularly – Use spaced repetition for better retention.
Top 30 Japanese language learning apps
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of language-learning apps, let’s dive into the top 5 apps for learning Japanese!
🌱 Best Apps for Beginners
1. Midori – The Ultimate Japanese Dictionary
- Ideal for: Kanji learners & self-study
💰 Price: Free
Midori is one of the most comprehensive Japanese-English dictionary apps available. It includes over 170,000 words, detailed kanji breakdowns, stroke order animations, and an offline mode for easy access. With a powerful search function, users can look up words by drawing kanji, inputting kana, or even using romaji. Midori is an excellent tool for learners who want to deepen their kanji knowledge and expand their vocabulary effectively!
2. Duolingo – Gamified Japanese Learning
- Ideal for: Casual learners
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Duolingo is a user-friendly app that makes Japanese learning fun with its bite-sized lessons, interactive exercises, and gamified elements. The app focuses on basic vocabulary, hiragana, and kanji while reinforcing learning through repetition. Though it lacks in-depth grammar explanations, Duolingo is a great starting point for beginners who want to build consistency in their language studies.
3. Memory Hint – Learn Kanji with Visual Mnemonics
- Ideal for: Visual learners
💰 Price: Free
Memory Hint helps learners memorize kanji by associating each character with a unique visual mnemonic. This method makes kanji recall easier and more intuitive, particularly for beginners who struggle with complex characters. The app also includes quizzes and interactive learning exercises to reinforce retention.
📖 Best Apps for Reading & Vocabulary
4. Todaii – Read Japanese News Easily
- Ideal for: Intermediate learners & JLPT prep
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Todaii allows learners to improve their reading skills by providing real Japanese news articles with built-in tools such as furigana, English translations, and JLPT-based vocabulary tagging. Users can highlight words for instant dictionary lookup and listen to native Japanese audio to enhance their comprehension. This app is ideal for those looking to transition from structured lessons to real-world reading practice.
5. Lingodeer 1 & 2 – Structured Learning Approach
- Ideal for: Beginner to intermediate learners
💰 Price: Free or $14.99/month, $39.99/quarter, $79.99/year, $159.99 lifetime
Lingodeer offers structured, comprehensive lessons focusing on vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills. Unlike Duolingo, it provides detailed grammar explanations, making it an excellent choice for serious learners. The second version, Lingodeer+, offers additional exercises to reinforce speaking, listening, and writing skills, helping learners to build fluency progressively.
6. Yomiwa – Kanji & OCR Reader
- Ideal for: Kanji learners & dictionary users
💰 Price: Free
Yomiwa is an advanced kanji recognition app that allows users to scan Japanese text using their camera for instant translation. It supports handwriting input, making it useful for looking up kanji characters that are difficult to type. With its built-in dictionary, stroke order animations, and contextual usage examples, Yomiwa is an excellent tool for learners focusing on kanji acquisition and reading comprehension.
💬 Best Apps for Speaking & Conversation
7. Hello Talk – Chat with Native Speakers
- Ideal for : Beginner & Intermediate
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
HelloTalk is one of the best language exchange apps for learning Japanese through real conversations with native speakers. It provides text, voice messages, video calls, and instant translations, making it easier for learners to communicate confidently. The app also features a correction tool, allowing native speakers to edit your messages and improve your writing. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate learner, HelloTalk is perfect for practicing Japanese in a natural, social setting.
8. Busuu – AI-powered Speaking Exercises
- Ideal for : Beginner & Intermediate
💰 Price: Free – Premium $12/month
Busuu provides an AI-driven learning experience with structured lessons covering pronunciation, speaking exercises, and conversation practice. The app includes speech recognition technology, allowing users to refine their pronunciation. Additionally, Busuu features a community-based learning system where users can get feedback from native speakers. Ideal for those looking to build speaking confidence through guided practice and real-world interaction.
9. Pimsleur – Audio-Based Learning
- Ideal for : Beginner & Intermediate
💰 Price: $150 per level
Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning program that focuses on developing conversational fluency through spaced repetition and interactive dialogues. Lessons are designed to improve listening comprehension, pronunciation, and sentence structure without relying on reading. This method is especially beneficial for learners who prefer audio-based learning and speaking drills over traditional textbooks.
✍️ Best Apps for Writing & Kanji Practice
10. Umi – Learn Japanese Through Anime & Films
- Ideal for: Beginner & Intermediate
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Umi is a unique Japanese learning app that teaches through popular anime, dramas, and movies. It provides interactive exercises, vocabulary breakdowns, and subtitles to help learners improve listening skills and contextual understanding. The app’s immersion-based approach makes it a great tool for learners who enjoy Japanese pop culture and want to learn naturally through entertainment.
11. Skritter – Handwriting with Spaced Repetition
- Ideal for: Intermediate & Advanced
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Skritter is an advanced kanji and kana writing practice app that uses spaced repetition and real-time stroke feedback. It provides detailed stroke order guidance, helping learners memorize and retain kanji characters effectively. Skritter is an essential tool for those preparing for the JLPT or looking to enhance their Japanese writing skills through structured and interactive learning.
🎓 Best Apps for JLPT Preparation
12. Anki – Customizable Flashcards
- Ideal for: Intermediate & Advanced
💰 Price: Free
Anki is a powerful spaced repetition flashcard app that allows users to create and customize their own study decks. It is widely used for JLPT preparation, kanji memorization, and vocabulary retention. With thousands of pre-made decks, learners can access study materials tailored to different JLPT levels, making Anki an essential tool for serious Japanese learners.
13. Bunpro – Grammar-Focused JLPT Study
- Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced
💰 Price: Free trial, $5/month (Premium available)
Bunpro offers structured grammar lessons aligned with JLPT levels. It features SRS-based exercises, native example sentences, and grammar explanations, making it one of the most effective tools for learning Japanese sentence structure and grammar rules. Ideal for learners preparing for the JLPT exam.
14. Renshuu – Gamified Learning with Rewards
- Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Renshuu is an interactive gamified learning platform featuring customizable quizzes, kanji drills, grammar breakdowns, and spaced repetition exercises. It offers a playful approach to language learning, incorporating daily challenges and adorable mascot rewards to keep learners engaged.
15. Rocket Languages – Interactive Japanese Course
- Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced
💰 Price: $99.95 per level
Rocket Languages is an interactive, audio-based language course designed for learners who want structured lessons with real-world dialogues. The app includes interactive exercises, pronunciation practice with speech recognition, grammar breakdowns, and cultural insights. With its progress tracking system, learners can steadily advance from basic phrases to fluent conversation skills while reinforcing listening and speaking abilities.
16. FluentU – Learn with Real-World Videos
- Ideal for: Intermediate to Advanced
💰 Price: $20/month
FluentU enhances Japanese comprehension skills by offering real-world videos, such as commercials, movie trailers, and news clips, with interactive subtitles and quizzes. It’s an excellent tool for learners who want to develop their listening abilities in a natural, immersive way.
17. Speaky – Connect with Language Partners Worldwide
- Ideal for: Beginner & Intermediate
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Speaky is a language exchange platform that helps learners connect with native Japanese speakers worldwide. It offers text, voice, and video chat options, allowing users to practice real-life conversations in a social and engaging way. The app also includes matching algorithms to pair learners with compatible partners, making it an excellent choice for those looking to improve fluency through real-time interaction.
18. Kanji Senpai – Spaced Repetition for Kanji
- Ideal for: Intermediate & Advanced
💰 Price: Free
Kanji Senpai uses a spaced repetition system (SRS) to help learners memorize kanji characters and their readings. It features JLPT-specific kanji lists, quizzes, and progress tracking, making it an effective tool for mastering kanji efficiently.
19. Bunpo – Grammar & JLPT Prep
- Ideal for: Beginner to Advanced
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Bunpo offers a structured curriculum covering JLPT grammar, sentence patterns, and conjugation rules. With interactive exercises, progress tracking, and clear explanations, it is an excellent app for learners looking to build a solid foundation in Japanese grammar.
20. Mondo – Find Language Partners
- Ideal for: Beginner & Intermediate
💰 Price: Free
Mondo helps learners connect with native Japanese speakers through chat-based language exchange. Users can practice writing, speaking, and grammar correction with language partners, making it a valuable tool for improving fluency in an interactive setting.
🎮 Best Apps for Interactive & Gamified Learning
21. Mindsnacks – Fun Mini-Games for Learning Japanese
- Ideal for: Beginners & casual learners
💰 Price: Free (In-app purchases available)
Mindsnacks makes learning Japanese fun and engaging through bite-sized lessons combined with interactive mini-games. The app covers essential vocabulary, kanji, and grammar rules while keeping you entertained with colorful graphics and reward-based progression. Each game is designed to improve specific language skills, such as listening comprehension, sentence structure, and kanji recognition. By integrating spaced repetition techniques, Mindsnacks ensures long-term retention, making it an excellent choice for beginners who want to build a solid foundation while enjoying the process.
22. Studystack – Flashcard-Based Learning with Games
- Ideal for: Beginners & intermediate learners
💰 Price: Free
Studystack enhances traditional flashcard learning by incorporating interactive memory games such as Hangman, crosswords, and matching exercises. This app is particularly useful for learners who rely on repetition and recall to memorize new Japanese words, kanji, and grammar patterns. With customizable decks, learners can focus on specific vocabulary sets, JLPT kanji lists, and everyday expressions. The app’s spaced repetition system ensures that words and characters are reviewed at optimal intervals for long-term memorization.
23. Ringotan – Kanji Writing & Spaced Repetition
- Ideal for: Kanji learners, handwriting practice
💰 Price: Free
Ringotan is a must-have app for serious kanji learners looking to improve their writing skills. It helps users master stroke order and proper kanji formation through interactive handwriting exercises. The app uses a spaced repetition system to reinforce learning and ensure that users retain kanji characters effectively over time. By providing real-time feedback on stroke accuracy and order, Ringotan offers an experience similar to writing with pen and paper, making it an excellent digital alternative for kanji practice.
24. Ameba – Japanese Blogging for Reading & Writing Practice
- Ideal for: Improving reading & writing skills through real-world content
💰 Price: Free
Ameba is a popular Japanese blogging platform where learners can immerse themselves in authentic written content. By reading native-level blog posts on various topics, users can improve their reading comprehension and become more familiar with real-world Japanese expressions and grammar structures. Additionally, learners can start their own blogs in Japanese, practicing writing skills while receiving feedback from native speakers. This is an excellent way to build confidence in written communication while engaging with Japanese culture and current trends.
You can find other easy Japanese reading website here!
25. Waygo – Instant Japanese Text Translation with Camera Scan
- Ideal for: Travelers & quick kanji translation
💰 Price: Free (Limited daily translations)
Waygo is an indispensable tool for travelers and beginners struggling with Japanese text. The app allows users to instantly translate printed Japanese words, phrases, and kanji by simply pointing their phone camera at the text. Whether deciphering restaurant menus, street signs, or product labels, Waygo provides accurate translations without requiring an internet connection. This makes it a perfect on-the-go tool for real-world interactions and survival Japanese.
26. Drops – Fun & Visual Vocabulary Learning
- Ideal for: Beginners & visual learners
💰 Price: Free (Premium available)
Drops makes learning Japanese vocabulary quick and engaging with five-minute daily sessions. Using visual mnemonics, swipe-based interactions, and spaced repetition, it helps users memorize words effortlessly. With themed categories like travel, food, and daily life, Drops is perfect for building vocabulary in a fun, stress-free way.
27. Wagotabi – Learn Japanese Through Cultural Exploration
- Ideal for: Intermediate & advanced learners
💰 Price: Free
Wagotabi blends language learning with cultural immersion, offering interactive lessons based on real-life scenarios, history, and traditions. By engaging with authentic Japanese content, users enhance their comprehension and vocabulary while gaining a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Perfect for learners looking to go beyond textbooks and experience Japanese in its real-world context.
28. Shashingo – Learn Japanese with Photography
- Ideal for: Beginners & intermediate learners
💰 Price: 19.99$ one time purchase
Shashingo is a unique educational video game that teaches Japanese through photography. Players explore a visually immersive environment where they can take pictures of objects to reveal their Japanese names and translations. With a focus on real-world vocabulary and contextual learning, the game enhances memory retention through visual association. Perfect for those who enjoy interactive and experiential learning, Shashingo makes studying Japanese feel like an engaging adventure.
29. OTO Navi – Japanese Audiobooks & Listening Practice
- Ideal for: Intermediate & advanced learners
💰 Price: Free
OTO Navi offers a vast library of Japanese audiobooks, podcasts, and learning materials to improve listening skills. By exposing learners to natural speech patterns and authentic conversations, it helps bridge the gap between textbook learning and real-world Japanese comprehension.
30. Pocket Colony – Learn Japanese Through Virtual Interactions
- Ideal for: Beginners & intermediate learners
💰 Price: Free
Pocket Colony is a virtual world where users create avatars and chat in Japanese, making it a fun way to practice casual conversations. Through interactive storytelling and daily interactions, learners naturally absorb useful expressions and sentence structures in an immersive setting.
🎓 Additional Resources for Learning Japanese
- Podcasts – Great for improving listening skills. Try JapanesePod101 or Nihongo con Teppei.
- YouTube Channels – Follow Japanese Ammo with Misa or Dogen for grammar and pronunciation tips.
- Books – Check out Genki, Minna no Nihongo, and Tobira for structured learning.
Final Thoughts
Japanese learning apps make studying fun, engaging, and efficient. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, choosing the right app will make a huge difference in your progress.
🔥 Want to learn Japanese with expert teachers? Join Coto Academy for personalized lessons! Sign up here🎌✨
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Japan, find out more about our school by filling out the form below!
FAQ
The top apps to learn Japanese include Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Memrise, FluentU, and Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese.
Yes, Duolingo is a popular app that offers gamified lessons, vocabulary practice, and interactive exercises to learn Japanese.
Rosetta Stone is known for its immersive language learning approach, offering speech recognition and interactive lessons to effectively learn Japanese.
Yes, Memrise is a vocabulary-focused app that uses spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques to help learners master Japanese vocabulary.
A mix of structured learning (apps, textbooks, grammar guides) and immersion (native content, conversation practice) is the most effective method.
Japanese has simple pronunciation and basic grammar, but kanji and honorifics make it challenging. A step-by-step approach makes it manageable.d app that uses spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques to help learners master Japanese vocabulary.
JLPT N2 is considered conversational fluency, while JLPT N1 indicates near-native proficiency required for work and academics.
Yes, but it requires discipline. Use structured apps (Anki, Bunpro), practice speaking (HelloTalk), and immerse yourself in the language daily.
Begin with hiragana and katakana, learn basic grammar and phrases, then gradually introduce kanji and conversation practice.
Yes, most apps offer resources and lessons suitable for beginners, allowing them to start learning Japanese from scratch.