# Hiragana & Katakana - Basic > Learn Japanese hiragana and katakana with study cards, flashcards, and quizzes. (iPhone/iPad app by Kotoba, Inc.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiragana-and-katakana-basic/id377666512 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Kotoba, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/303488131) - Category: Education - Price: $0.99 - Rating: 5.00/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 16 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 67 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2010-06-21 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiragana-and-katakana-basic/id377666512/reviews.md ## What is Hiragana & Katakana? Full version with absolutely no ads! Quickly master both Hiragana AND Katakana in one app. Purchase once and learn on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad for no extra charge. Ever wanted to learn Japanese but didn't know where to begin? Learning hiragana first is often suggested by Japanese teachers and many textbooks (Genki, Japanese for Busy People Kana version, etc) virtually require it. This app will help you master both syllabaries* quickly and painlessly. This app has over 250 sound files featuring all the main hiragana and katakana characters (we will be adding all of the combination characters soon as a free update!) and about 150 example words using characters learned. - Universal app: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad - Learn using Study cards with all information on a single card or with Flashcards to flip to see answers - Quiz yourself after studying each section and review any missed answers - Search all hiragana, katakana, and example words - Random function: tap if you are feeling lucky -- great for reviewing all hiragana and katakana - Lessons -- an additional way to study all hiragana and katakana - (on iPad) view random hiragana on the front page If you are sure you want to learn Japanese, you may want to grab our "Japanese Phrases & Lessons" app instead (or you can click on our "TheJapanesePage.com" link at the top to see all our apps). This includes most (but not all) of what is here for hiragana and katakana AND also includes kanji and grammar lessons plus almost 3,000 sound files of common words and phrases. If you have ANY questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact us. * Although often called "alphabets," Hiragana and Katakana are more properly called "syllabaries" since each character more or less represents a syllable. ## Key features - Learn Hiragana and Katakana - Study cards and flashcards - Quizzes with missed answer review - Over 250 sound files - 150 example words - Universal app support ## Recent user reviews (10 of 16) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiragana-and-katakana-basic/id377666512/reviews.md ### 5/5 — My new favorite app for Nihongo *2018-06-02* Clay and Yumi have made this app entertaining as well as effective. I especially enjoy doing the quizzes ( hard to believe). They have provided an easy way to email from the app and a way to have the app move forward automatically. I can use this kind of listening practice with tiny bits at a time. ### 5/5 — Review *2017-04-27* Very good! Great on pronunciation ! ### 5/5 — Amazing app!! *2017-01-05* Great to learn the Japanese characters!! Would definitely recommend to a friend!! ### 5/5 — So good *2016-09-17* I've used so many hiragana and katakana apps before but this particular one is so useful and easy. All I have to say is download and use it yourself ### 5/5 — Great for beginner *2016-09-01* Absolutely great for beginner: to start memorizing the alphabets and to learn how to prounce them when combined with other words. It also contains many ways to test yourselves. ### 5/5 — Fantastic app! *2016-02-21* I tried to learn kana for a while, trying to memorize but getting confused by how similar all the characters looked, and not understanding tenten at all. This app is simple to use. The best part is the little mnemonic devices (け looks like the opening to a CAve). And there are example words that build on previous lessons. It makes me feel good! It's absolutely worth the price. ### 5/5 — The best! *2016-01-05* This is the best app for learning Kana! Absolutely worth it! ### 5/5 — Extremely Educational *2015-09-14* I'm in love with this app. It's been my dream to learn Japanese and I figured learning the writing would be a great start. In just a couple lessons learning the writing in the app has actually given me a greater grasp on the language itself! I will recommend this to everyone!! ### 5/5 — Excellent *2011-07-01* Please add Draw practice. ### 3/5 — Good, but could be better *2011-01-15* I'm a middle aged English speaker trying to learn Japanese, mostly on my iPad. So far I've only run through the Hiragana half, though I expect the Katakana to work the same. I like this product and am not sorry I bought it. It has a visually pleasing interface and does a good job of presenting Kana. It would have 4+ stars if it had writing practice; lacking this alone almost drops the rating to a 3. I'd have certainly given a 5 if it: 1) had a "draw" practice like ShinKanji, 2) folded in the ten-ten characters with the others, instead of just listing them in tables, 3) had a more intelligent sequencer for the review sections (it has too much repetition of some and too much skipping of others), 4) used larger fonts, buttons and graphics for review and stroke order. ## Frequently asked questions about Hiragana & Katakana ### What is the price of Hiragana & Katakana - Basic? Hiragana & Katakana - Basic is a paid app priced at $0.99. This is a one-time purchase for full access on all your Apple devices. ### Does Hiragana & Katakana - Basic have ads? No, the full version of Hiragana & Katakana - Basic is advertised as having absolutely no ads. You can learn without interruptions. ### What devices is Hiragana & Katakana - Basic compatible with? Hiragana & Katakana - Basic is a universal app, meaning it is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad devices. You can use it across your Apple ecosystem. ### How often is Hiragana & Katakana - Basic updated? The app was last updated on March 2, 2020, to version 1.10. The developer has stated plans to add combination characters in a future free update. ### What learning methods does Hiragana & Katakana - Basic use? Hiragana & Katakana - Basic utilizes study cards with all information on one card, flashcards for flipping, and quizzes to test your knowledge. It also includes lessons and a random function for review. ### What is the age rating for Hiragana & Katakana - Basic? The app has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners and children interested in Japanese language basics. ### How many sound files are included in Hiragana & Katakana - Basic? The app features over 250 sound files for all the main hiragana and katakana characters. It also includes about 150 example words using the learned characters. ### What do users like about Hiragana & Katakana - Basic? Based on its 5.0-star rating from 7 reviews, users likely appreciate the app's effectiveness in teaching hiragana and katakana, its ad-free experience, and its comprehensive learning features. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 1.10 — 2020-03-02 Bug fix ## More apps by Kotoba, Inc - [Learn Japanese Phrases Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-japanese-phrases-lite/id303734644) - [Hiragana and Katakana-Japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiragana-and-katakana-japanese/id385817288) - [Makoto+ Learn Japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makoto-plus-learn-japanese/id1515257628) - [Makoto Japanese Explorer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makoto-japanese-explorer/id6752566623) All apps by Kotoba, Inc: https://appshunter.io/developer/303488131 --- *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 2026-06-10.*