# Coban: Learn Japanese — JLPT N5-N1 Grammar & Kanji

> Comprehensive Japanese language learning app for all levels. (iPhone/iPad app by Akira NOGUCHI.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coban-learn-japanese/id1506009508 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Akira NOGUCHI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1506009507)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 612 App Store ratings · 85 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 644 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Korean, Polish, European Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish and 1 more
- Released: 2020-04-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coban-learn-japanese/id1506009508/reviews.md

## What is Coban?

“Coban” is a Japanese learning app designed to help learners study everything from JLPT N5 to N1 within a single app.
Rather than focusing only on passing exams, Coban was created with a strong emphasis on helping users quickly understand and actively use real Japanese in practical situations.

One of Coban’s main concepts is learning Japanese efficiently by first capturing the overall structure and feeling of the language instead of memorizing countless rules one by one. The app is designed so learners can quickly study the information they need and immediately apply it to real communication, making it ideal for reviewing before class, preparing for conversations, or reinforcing what has already been learned.

Coban works especially well as a supplementary learning tool alongside lessons, textbooks, and real-life conversation practice. Combining digital study with practical usage and traditional learning methods can dramatically improve Japanese ability, and Coban was developed to support that daily digital learning process.

Audio is included for all example sentences and almost all vocabulary words. With more than 12,000 audio files, learners can improve not only vocabulary and grammar, but also listening and shadowing skills. All content is stored locally on the device, allowing users to study even without an internet connection.

The app includes more than 2,100 kanji, 7,500 vocabulary words, 490 grammar points, and over 2,500 example sentences. From beginner to advanced learners, Coban provides comprehensive support for reaching JLPT N1 level and developing the ability to understand natural Japanese used by native speakers and in professional environments.

Coban was created for learners who want to understand Japanese more naturally and use it confidently in real situations, not only for exams.

## Key features

- Hiragana, katakana, kanji, and vocabulary
- JLPT N5-N3 grammar coverage
- Audio pronunciation for all content
- Flashcards and practice exercises
- Shadowing and dictation exercises
- Japanese stories and cultural readings
- Advanced podcasts for N2/N1 learners

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium User | $59.99 | per year |
| Premium User | $39.90 | per 6 months |
| Premium User | $6.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Access | $99.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Upgrade | $59.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Coban?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Cute and genuinely helpful
- 🚀 Great app for learning Japanese
- 🤩 Engaging and fun to use
- 💯 Best kanji practice
- 🙌 Excellent for N5 and N4 levels
- 🤖 Palatable grammar for short attention spans
- 🎉 Super useful and underrated

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔇 Volume issues with audio
- 💰 Subscription model with lack of lifetime purchase
- 🤯 Confusing UI and navigation at times
- 🤔 Wonky translations and quiz issues
- 🙄 Annoying ads interrupting the flow

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Drag and drop feature not working
- Crashes after completing quizzes
- Vocabulary lessons causing the app to freeze

**Most requested features**

- Expand to higher JLPT levels (N3, N2, N1)
- Add a placement test to determine user's level
- Improve vocabulary practice and review options
- Offer an ad-free version for a one-time purchase

## Recent user reviews (10 of 85)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coban-learn-japanese/id1506009508/reviews.md

### 5/5 — I love this app… but

*2026-06-09*

The new update makes it very laggy when scrolling up to the top selector for selecting what you want to study (ie grammar, vocab, kanji). It makes the site slightly annoying to use. Overall though, I love the content in the new update, the only thing stopping me from getting the premium upgrade is the lagging (You can still learn up to JLPT 3 for free.) it’s still a very good source to use, it has just become slightly annoying.

**Developer response:** フィードバックありがとうございます、コアカアイさん。
Thank you very much for your feedback and for your kind words about the new content!
Thanks to reports from users like you, I was able to identify the cause of the lag when scrolling to the study selector. The issue has already been fixed and is now available in version 4.2.1.
I apologize for the inconvenience, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to report it. Feedback like yours helps me improve the app for everyone.
Thank you again for your support, and I hope you enjoy the latest update!

### 5/5 — Incroyable

*2025-09-30*

Cette appli est vraiment génial, que ce soit la qualité de son interface, au contenu des cours/ leçons proposés, tout est top. La version gratuite offre un panel de démarrage dans l’apprentissage cent fois plus qualitatif que bon nombre d’autre appli entièrement payantes ! 
Honnêtement c’est un 10/10.

### 5/5 — Cute and genuinely Helpful

*2025-09-16*

I’m going to be taking the N3 this December and I was struggling with finding an app that had good grammar practice. The textbooks are a lot and can get boring easily, but so far i’ve learned a lot from this app in my 2 days using it, and it’s rlly fun, and the developer is super nice. I submitted a feature request and they got back to me in less than 24 hours.

### 5/5 — Excellente application

*2025-09-03*

L’application est très bien pensé, simple, bien organisé, très complète, Vivement la partie pour le JLPT N2.

### 5/5 — Génial !

*2025-05-19*

J’utilise Coban pour apprendre la grammaire japonaise et c’est top !

Manque juste un système pour s’entraîner à la prononciation des mots, où et quand on doit hausser ou baisser la voix.

### 5/5 — great app

*2025-03-04, version 4.1.6*

was looking all around for an app to get back into learning and this is perfect.

### 4/5 — Great App but No Sync

*2025-02-26, version 4.1.6*

I love this app but I use an iPad and iPhone. I want to be able to pick up where I left off.

### 5/5 — ありがとうございます！

*2025-01-28, version 4.1.6*

ありがとうございます、this app is とてもかわいい! I’ve had so much fun with learning Japanese and the app is just soooo cute. It’s so good with the little stories and splitting it into N5 N4 and other things. It’s so easy and fun!

### 5/5 — Look no further, this app is it.

*2024-11-17*

Coban is excellent for learning Japanese. From complete beginners to advanced, it has everything you need. The layout, functionality and depth of learning material is impressive. I especially find the explanations of grammar with examples and exercises to go with it useful and engaging. The developer actively updates the app and responds quickly to user inquiries/suggestions. Highly recommend, this app is one of the best.

### 5/5 — Add Russian language

*2024-10-09*

👋🏻

## Frequently asked questions about Coban

### What does the Japanese Grammar : Coban app do?

This app provides a comprehensive platform for learning the Japanese language. It covers essential elements like hiragana, katakana, kanji, vocabulary, and grammar from beginner to advanced levels, including JLPT N5-N3 content. It aims to make learning efficient and enjoyable through various interactive features.

### What are the key features of Japanese Grammar : Coban?

Key features include complete coverage of Japanese basics to intermediate levels, audio pronunciations for all vocabulary and grammar examples, diverse learning modes like flashcards and practice exercises, listening skill development through shadowing and dictation, reading practice with stories, and advanced podcasts for higher-level learners.

### How much does Japanese Grammar : Coban cost?

The app is free to download and use, but it offers in-app purchases for premium features. These premium features allow users to create personalized study lists and expand vocabulary through cultural texts, enhancing the learning experience.

### Who is the target audience for this app?

The app is designed for anyone looking to learn Japanese, regardless of their current proficiency. This includes absolute beginners starting with the alphabet, intermediate learners preparing for exams like the JLPT, and advanced learners seeking to refine their listening and reading skills.

### What are some common use cases for Japanese Grammar : Coban?

Common use cases include preparing for Japanese language proficiency tests (JLPT), building a foundational understanding of Japanese grammar and vocabulary, improving listening comprehension through authentic content, and enhancing reading skills with Japanese stories. It's also useful for textbook preview and review.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.2.5 — 2026-08-13

- JLPT Mock Tests N5–N1 Added: You can now take JLPT mock tests from N5 all the way to N1.
- Study Notes and Personal Examples: You can now add notes and your own example sentences to words and kanji, with syncing across devices via iCloud.
- Traditional Chinese Added: Traditional Chinese is now available throughout the app.
- Fixed SRS Review Bugs: Fixed issues where the review count stayed after finishing and the same questions kept repeating.
- Performance Improvements: Made the app faster and smoother to use.
- Minor Errors & Bug Fixes: Fixed minor bugs and errors and improved overall stability.

### 4.2.4 — 2026-07-02

- Added Japanese case particles to the N4 Grammar section
- Fixed missing listening audio
- Fixed grammar question display issues
- Fixed lesson score saving
- UI improvements and bug fixes

### 4.2.3 — 2026-06-28

- Added a pop-up dictionary that lets you instantly check the meaning of words during listening exercises.
- Sound effects and audio now play automatically when answers are shown in exercises.
- Fixed an issue where some grammar exercises would not open.
- Fixed minor bugs and improved overall stability.

### 4.2.2 — 2026-06-23

- Added JLPT N1 vocabulary
- Added a pop-up dictionary to grammar lessons
- Added Grammar Comparison Lessons 31–60
- Added adjustable font size settings
- Improved the user interface
- Fixed bugs and improved overall stability

### 4.2.1 — 2026-06-10

Fixed a lag issue on the Home screen.

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## More apps by Akira NOGUCHI

- [PiyoTan : Fun Words for Kids](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piyotan-fun-words-for-kids/id6754602581)

All apps by Akira NOGUCHI: https://appshunter.io/developer/1506009507

## Related topics

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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 2026-08-29.*