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Coto Academy is a Japanese language school located in Tokyo and Yokohama. With its small class sizes and flexible course schedule, we ensure the students find their community here in Japan and learn practical and useful daily-life Japanese by focusing on conversational practice.
Learn Japanese Hiragana and Katakana
In this blog, we share our own PDF learning Hiragana practice sheets and links to some popular apps for learning Japanese. Just started learning Japanese? Head to our main article about the Japanese writing system for a more comprehensive guide!
For those interested in learning the basics of Japanese – please check out our Japanese Crash Course for Beginners
Apps for Learning Hiragana
If you are just getting started with learning Hiragana, you may think that it is easier to learn with an App.
Apps are convenient and easy to take with you to practice using while you are out and about. However, we also suggest that you take some time to physically write the characters, as it will cement them in your brain.
That being said, we recommend several apps for being fun and easy to use.
Learn Hiragana & Katakana with Dr. Moku
Dr. Moku’s Hiragana & Katakana Mnemonics
Dr. Moku’s Hiragana and Katakana Mnemonics are 2 separate apps. One for Hiragana and one for Katakana. In each app, they associate all the kana with pictures, making it easy for you to remember them.
It also uses mnemonic hacks (tying each character to a visual story-based meaning) rather than just rote memorization.
Mindsnacks – Limited Free Version
Mindsnacks – Limited Free Edition
Mindsnacks has a visually appealing interface, and the limited free version allows you to practice learning Hiragana and Katakana characters.
It is the closest thing to a learning video game that we have found.
Hiragana Learning Chart – Writing Practice PDFs
If you are looking for a more analog way to practice and learn hiragana – we have included a sample of a few of the practice homework sheets from our Japanese Crash Course below:
Open the image in a new tab by clicking on it- you can print it!
How to use the homework sheets:
Use the hiragana chart here to locate the correct symbol. (Right-click to save as – or left-click to open)
Hiragana Practice Chart
Draw a line to the corresponding character and connect them.
Learning Hiragana: Online Quiz
Ready to test your knowledge of Katakana and Hiragana? Below, we have included our online quiz, allowing you to interactively test your knowledge.
Input your answer – after the quiz, you will be given your full score.
Looking for something more advanced? Check out our JLPT Kanji Workbook PDFs!
Hiragana FAQs
Which is easier hiragana or kanji?
Hiragana is relatively easier than kanji according to many experoenced learners. Because kanji can be expressed in hiragana in Japanese language system, even Japanese natives use hiragana and slowly build up their kanji from lower school all way until high school.
Do Japanese use katakana or hiragana?
Hiragana is used more in formal setting than katakana. Of course, kanji is considered the most formal one, but they all represent unique circumstances when using the language.
Start taking Japanese lessons and master Hiragana and Katakana!
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