# J-crosswords — Japanese crossword puzzles

> Japanese crossword puzzles for studying vocabulary across all proficiency levels. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Hominick.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/j-crosswords/id1539315947 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Hominick](https://appshunter.io/developer/1539315949)
- Category: Education, Games, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 23 App Store ratings · 19 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 248 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-12-22
- Data updated: 2026-08-13
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/j-crosswords/id1539315947/reviews.md

## What is J?

Enjoy Japanese crosswords and let them help you to study over 9,000 different Japanese words, broken up by level and resource.


* NO Advertisements, NO timers, NO stamina system *

* Play the way you'd like *
- Drag and drop for keyboard-free play
- Keyboard input available, even if you don't have Japanese input on your device

* Tons of puzzles *
- Over 300 free puzzles, with over 1,500 more for paid users!

* Play at your level *
- Vocabulary categorized from beginner (JLPT N5) up to advanced (JLPT N1)
- Lists available for Genki, Tobira, Minna, and other popular Japanese textbooks

* Unlock hand-drawn scenes from Japan as you solve puzzles! *

* Full interface and clues for English, German, French, Dutch, and Spanish *

## Key features

- Study over 9,000 Japanese words
- Vocabulary categorized by JLPT level
- Drag and drop or keyboard input
- Over 300 free puzzles
- Unlock hand-drawn Japanese scenes
- Multi-language support for clues

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beginner puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Puzzles Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Genki I puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| Genki II puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| Japanese for Busy People II | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tobira puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| みんなの日本語 puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| Yookoso I puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| Yookoso II puzzles | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Puzzles Pack | $3.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 19)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/j-crosswords/id1539315947/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Good for beginners

*2026-07-02*

Good for beginners

### 5/5 — Perfect

*2026-01-06*

Fun way to practice and very engaging.

### 5/5 — Simple & Fun for Review!

*2025-08-31*

Really like app! Super simple to use and decent free version before you have to pay. Really like it as a review for myself. One thing I will say is that the Kanji section seems to just be repeats of the same kanji on all the puzzles, which is kinda a bummer. Other than that it’s awesome!

### 5/5 — Such a fun app! Really helps test your vocab

*2025-06-09*

This app is amazing, I love doing crosswords in Japanese and this app allows me to test my vocabulary and kanji. I personally use it to work out what words I might not have learnt yet and then I’ll go learn them and put them into my SRS reviews. Only thing I feel the app might be missing is a random mode. Allowing you to select which JLPT level you want to play on and it’ll give you a random crossword rather than just the pre-made ones

### 4/5 — Bought renshuu pro subscription

*2025-01-31*

Hi so I bought the renshuu pro subscription and recently went onto the J crosswords app to see if I had unlocked more puzzles but it won’t show up. The renshuu app opened up a bunch of access for my current level (N5) but the J crosswords app doesn’t appear to be syncing properly?

### 5/5 — Simple yet effective

*2023-12-09*

This is one of my favorite apps for learning Japanese (and believe me, I’ve tried a lot or them)! There’s a ton of value with the free version, but the paid version is like $3 and you get puzzles with vocab, not only sorted by level (N5, N4, etc), but also by textbook (and further sorted by chapter!)
The crossword format is a novel concept and makes it fun to do vocabulary drills. 
If you can’t tell already, I highly recommend this app for anyone learning Japanese, and especially for those learning via the popular textbooks! 👏

**Developer response:** Thanks! Glad the puzzles are helping you out :) Should you need anything in the future, feel free to reach out to me at michael@renshuu.org!

### 4/5 — Great for reviewing vocab!

*2023-08-14*

If you like crosswords, this is a great app to use to consolidate your Japanese vocab! Fuss free and clean UI. However, the words tends to repeat a lot, making it a bit boring and I wish there was a feature to bookmark certain words for easier revision. I would recommend the app for people who are already learning Japanese — this app is for consolidation rather than learning. Even just the free version is nice and the full version is cheap too!

**Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback! You are correct on both points: it is meant for review (our sister app, renshuu, is focused on acquisition).

The word repetition is intentional - due to the short length of most Japanese words (in terms of characters), as well as the small number of words in some categories, it is actually quite difficult to make crosswords with most words, so I opted for more repetition so that the words can get firmly rooted in your head.

That being said, if more crosswords are released in the future, I will definitely work to get a better balance :)

Should you have any issues in the future, just let me know at michael@renshuu.org!

### 5/5 — Perfekter Japanisch-Spielspaß

*2023-07-21*

Tolle App um spielerisch Vokabeln zu trainieren. Gut durchdacht programmiert.
Verdient definitiv mehr Aufmerksamkeit!!!

**Developer response:** Thanks for the review, and sorry for the English reply! Glad you're enjoying it :)

If you have any future questions, let me know at michael@renshuu.org!

### 2/5 — Don’t understand

*2023-06-23*

When I downloaded it, it just gave me a word straight up. I didn’t understand it so I always had to guess.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback. The crosswords puzzle is designed to help review vocabulary, while our sister app (renshuu) introduces and teaches Japanese. 

I do appreciate you giving it a try, though! Should you need anything in the future, don't hesitate to let me know at michael@renshuu.org.

### 5/5 — Highly recommend!!

*2023-02-17*

It’s a great app and it’s very helpful. A quick and easy way to learn new vocabulary whilst also having fun!

**Developer response:** Glad you're enjoying it :)

Should you have any questions or issues, let me know! I'm always here at michael@renshuu.org.

## Frequently asked questions about J

### Does J-crosswords have ads?

No, J-crosswords is ad-free. The app explicitly states 'NO Advertisements' in its description, allowing for an uninterrupted learning experience.

### What is the price of J-crosswords?

J-crosswords is free to download and play. However, it offers additional puzzles for paid users, indicating in-app purchases are available for expanded content.

### How many puzzles are available in J-crosswords?

J-crosswords offers over 300 free puzzles. Paid users gain access to over 1,500 more puzzles, significantly expanding the available content.

### What learning levels does J-crosswords cover?

J-crosswords covers vocabulary from beginner (JLPT N5) up to advanced (JLPT N1) levels. It also includes lists for popular Japanese textbooks like Genki and Minna.

### What devices is J-crosswords compatible with?

J-crosswords is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. The app is designed for iOS devices.

### How often is J-crosswords updated?

The latest version of J-crosswords is 1.5.1, last updated on November 25, 2021. This indicates a relatively infrequent update schedule.

### What languages does J-crosswords support for clues?

J-crosswords provides a full interface and clues in English, German, French, Dutch, and Spanish. This makes it accessible to a global audience learning Japanese.

### What is the user rating for J-crosswords?

J-crosswords has a high user rating of 4.8 stars based on 19 ratings. This suggests a positive user experience and satisfaction with the app's features.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5.1 — 2021-11-25

A small fix for the edge of puzzles not appearing.

### 1.5 — 2021-11-24

Thank you for waiting! We have a ton of speed improvements, bug fixes, and better handling of erasing within the crossword puzzles.
Additionally, a new scene is waiting to be unlocked in My Japan.

50% off on the all puzzle unlock until the end of 2021!

### 1.4 — 2021-06-16

** Feature **
● New Listening hint mode! Available with any puzzle pack purchase.


** Improvements **
● A lot of re-recorded audio for even better quality



** Fixes **
● Better handling of numbers/ABCs when they appear in answers
● Fixed some cases where words in word lists were wrapping in the middle of a word

### 1.3.1 — 2021-05-08

** Improvements **
● Audio begins to play faster.
● Icon for playing audio is easier to tap.
● If answer ends with n, convert to ん after closing clue.
● Changed hint algorithm to give hints in order.



** Fixes **
● Knocked out a small visual issue when a katakana word was entered as hiragana.

### 1.2 — 2021-04-29

** New Features **
● Native-recorded audio available for all 9,000+ words!
● New Setting: auto-play audio after getting word correct
● Show word information after getting word correct



** Improvements **
● Much easier to redo just part of an answer after checking (Both drag-and-drop as well as typing)
● Clearing part of an answer doesn't clear away correct characters
● Added Contact us link for an easier way to get to us

## Apps similar to J

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [renshuu - Japanese learning](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/renshuu-japanese-learning/id1542730063) | 4.9 (1,346) | Free | Education |
| [Bunpo: Language Learning](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bunpo-language-learning/id1279720052) | 4.9 (17,779) | Free | Education |
| [Japanese Language RPG Quest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-language-rpg-quest/id1492887921) | 4.7 (259) | Free | Education |
| [Japanese Games: Infinite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-games-infinite/id1298380683) | 4.8 (2,372) | Free | Education |
| [Yomu Yomu: Read&Learn Japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yomu-yomu-read-and-learn-japanese/id1636640840) | 4.9 (176) | Free | Education |
| [Coban: Learn Japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coban-learn-japanese/id1506009508) | 4.8 (609) | Free | Education |

## More apps by Michael Hominick

- [renshuu - Japanese learning](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/renshuu-japanese-learning/id1542730063)

All apps by Michael Hominick: https://appshunter.io/developer/1539315949

## Related topics

[genki](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/genki)

---

*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 2026-08-13.*