# Bento: Learn Japanese & JLPT — Readers & Practical Japanese

> Reading-first Japanese learning app with graded readers and JLPT levels. (iPhone/iPad app by Skydea K.K..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bento-learn-japanese-and-jlpt/id6751864131 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Skydea K.K.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1489554047)
- Category: Education, Magazines & Newspapers
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 18.2 · 36 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-01-21
- Data updated: 2026-09-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bento-learn-japanese-and-jlpt/id6751864131/reviews.md

## What is Bento?

Bento Japanese is a reading-first Japanese learning app with bite-sized lessons, graded readers, JLPT-leveled articles, vocabulary and kanji review, and daily practice matched to your level.

STOP STUDYING JAPANESE. START READING IT.

Most apps teach words and grammar in isolation, leaving you unable to read a single real sentence. Bento works differently. Learn through a bite-sized lesson, then immediately put it to use in a graded reader or JLPT-leveled article written for your level. Grammar and vocabulary don't just get memorized, they click, because you meet them in real sentences about real things.

YOUR DAILY JAPANESE, DONE IN 15 MINUTES

Every day, Bento gives you one lesson, one reading, and one review, matched to your level. No hour-long sessions. No guilt about skipping a day. Just a small, satisfying habit that compounds into real fluency over time.
今日のBento、完了。また明日ね。

READ REAL JAPANESE AT YOUR LEVEL

Bento's graded readers and JLPT-leveled articles are written for learners, not native speakers, leveled from absolute beginner (L0) to JLPT N1 and beyond. Tap any word for an instant definition. Listen along with audio. Save vocab and kanji to review later.
Read about daily life in Japan, food, travel, work, culture, festivals, and more. Content that's actually interesting, not just grammatically convenient.

BITE-SIZED LESSONS THAT LEAD INTO READING

Short, practical lessons cover grammar, vocabulary, kana, and kanji, the things you actually need to read Japanese with confidence. Each one takes 2 to 5 minutes and sets you up for something you'll meet in your very next reading. No filler. Just the Japanese that matters.

SAVE WORDS AS YOU READ. REVIEW WHEN YOU'RE READY

Tap any word while reading to save it instantly. Build a vocabulary and kanji collection from real Japanese you've actually encountered, not a pre-made list. Review with short daily sessions, with the original sentence right there for context.

A CLEAR PATH FROM ZERO TO N1

Bento uses a simple rank system, F through S, to guide you from complete beginner to advanced. Start with hiragana and katakana, build through N5 and N4, and work toward N3, N2, and N1 reading fluency. You always know where you are and what to do next.

Studying for the JLPT? Bento builds the reading speed, grammar recognition, and kanji recall the test actually requires, through daily reading practice instead of exam drills.

BENTO JAPANESE IS A JAPANESE LEARNING APP

Not a bento box brand. Not a food app. Not a productivity tool. The name is a nod to learning in small, satisfying portions, like a well-packed bento: every element in its place, nothing wasted. It's a reading-first learning platform for every level, from your very first hiragana to native-level fluency.

START FREE. STAY AS LONG AS YOU LIKE

Bento is free to download with no time limits on core features. Start from your first hiragana, or jump in where you feel comfortable. Your Japanese is waiting.
がんばれ。

Thanks for trying Bento Japanese! よろしくね (^o^)

Privacy Policy: https://bentojapanese.com/privacy
Terms of Service: https://bentojapanese.com/terms


https://www.instagram.com/bentojapanese
https://www.youtube.com/@bentojapanese
https://www.reddit.com/r/BentoJapanese
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579079714693

## Key features

- Bite-sized lessons
- Graded readers
- JLPT-leveled articles
- Vocabulary and kanji review
- Daily practice matched to level
- Save words from reading

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bento Japanese Monthly Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Bento Japanese Annual Subscription | $89.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bento Japanese Lifetime | $249.00 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bento-learn-japanese-and-jlpt/id6751864131/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Great app. Needs some work

*2026-07-04*

Please fix the audio and add the option to practice particles like the web version!

**Developer response:** Hello thank you for trying Bento.  The practice vocab is coming soon.  

Can you please contact us as at hello@bentojapanese.com to let us know what issues you are having with the audio.  You can set your premium audio narrator in the settings.

Thank you!

### 5/5 — Amazing App for Learning Japanese

*2026-05-18*

I’ve been trying to find an app for learning Japanese, and Bento delivers on all fronts. The stories, user interface, just everything, delivers such a fun experience for self-study! I will definitely be using this app in my Japanese-study tools arsenal!

## Frequently asked questions about Bento

### What is Bento's learning methodology?

Bento focuses on a reading-first approach, integrating bite-sized lessons with graded readers and JLPT-leveled articles. This method aims to make grammar and vocabulary memorable by encountering them in real-world contexts.

### How does Bento track user progress?

Bento uses a simple rank system from F to S to guide users from beginner to advanced levels, including JLPT N5 through N1. Users always know their current standing and next steps in their learning journey.

### Can I save words I encounter while reading in Bento?

Yes, you can tap any word while reading to save it instantly. This allows you to build a personalized vocabulary and kanji collection from actual Japanese content you've read.

### Does Bento offer daily practice sessions?

Bento provides a short, satisfying daily practice routine that includes one lesson, one reading, and one review, all matched to your current learning level. These sessions are designed to take around 15 minutes.

### Is Bento suitable for JLPT preparation?

Yes, Bento is designed to help prepare for the JLPT by building reading speed, grammar recognition, and kanji recall through daily reading practice, rather than solely relying on exam drills.

### What devices is Bento available on?

Based on the provided data, Bento is currently supported on iPhones.

### Does Bento have ads?

Yes, Bento contains advertisements.

### What is the age rating for Bento?

Bento has an age rating of 12+.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.27 — 2026-08-21

こんにちは、Bentoです。

・Vocab lists in Collections got a fresh new look
・Grammar articles can now be marked for review or mastered right from the list
・Bugs squashed and things running smoother under the hood

きょうもがんばろう。

### 1.26 — 2026-08-14

こんにちは、Bentoです。

・Decks just got better. You can now add vocab directly from the dictionary to any deck
・New Japanese Culture Guides added. More holidays, seasons and traditions to explore
・Dark mode readability improvements
・Bugs squashed and things running smoother under the hood

またね。

### 1.25 — 2026-08-07

こんにちは、Bentoです。

・Decks are here! Build your own vocab decks to study and practice, browse decks made by other learners, or share yours with the community
・Collections and Profile have been tidied up and consolidated. Simpler, cleaner, easier to get around
・Bugs squashed, things running smoother under the hood

おつかれさまでした。

### 1.24 — 2026-07-31

こんにちは、Bentoです。

・Kanken Kanji is here. Study kanji by grade, learn how to write them, explore On and Kun readings, and practice with common and uncommon words
・The usual bugs have been squashed and things are running a little smoother under the hood

がんばってね。

### 1.23 — 2026-07-24

こんにちは、Bentoです。
・Sign in with Google is working properly now. Sorry about that one!
・More Japanese Culture Guides are in. Dive into holidays, seasons and traditions while picking up vocab you'll actually use
きょうもがんばろう。

## Apps similar to Bento

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Coban: Learn Japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coban-learn-japanese/id1506009508) | 4.8 (614) | Free | Education |
| [JLPT Kanji: N1 N2 N3 N4 N5](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jlpt-kanji-n1-n2-n3-n4-n5/id6472777762) | 4.0 (28) | Free | Education |
| [Kaeru - Learn Japanese & Kanji](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kaeru-learn-japanese-and-kanji/id6740145807) | 3.9 (29) | Free | Education |
| [Makoto Japanese Explorer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makoto-japanese-explorer/id6752566623) | 5.0 (13) | Free | Education |
| [MochiKaiwa - Speak Japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mochikaiwa-speak-japanese/id6755985948) | 4.8 (89) | Free | Education |
| [Wagotabi: Learn Japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wagotabi-learn-japanese/id6474207287) | 4.9 (1,445) | $4.99 | Education |

## More apps by Skydea K.K.

- [StepWorld - Easy Step Tracking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepworld-easy-step-tracking/id1476965532)
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- [Tokyo Otaku](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tokyo-otaku/id1491449651)
- [Japanese Language RPG Quest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-language-rpg-quest/id1492887921)
- [Hiragana Sensei 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiragana-sensei-2/id1602024756)
- [Ofuro - Hot Springs and Onsens](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ofuro-hot-springs-and-onsens/id1607613222)

All apps by Skydea K.K.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1489554047

## Related topics

[japanese graded readers](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/japanese-graded-readers)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-10.*