# Pictango - Learn Japanese — Every word, a real photo

> Learn Japanese vocabulary with photos, spaced repetition, and customizable reading options. (iPhone/iPad app by tatsuya ikeyama.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictango-learn-japanese/id6788635177 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [tatsuya ikeyama](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896560677)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 507 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), Japanese, Korean, European Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish
- Released: 2026-07-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-23
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictango-learn-japanese/id6788635177/reviews.md

## What is Pictango?

Every Japanese word, learned through a real photograph.

Pictango pairs each of its 6,800+ words with an original photo — not a cartoon — so the word attaches to something real in your memory. Words are ordered from JLPT N5 to N1 across 66 finely graded levels.

LEARN IN SETS OF 20
Each session is one focused set. You learn the words, test yourself on them, then review the ones coming due — and finish with a clear stopping point instead of an endless feed.

FIND YOUR STARTING LEVEL
Not sure where to begin? Take the quick level check: read a few words, say whether you knew them, and Pictango suggests a level that fits. You can change it any time.

READ IT YOUR WAY
Furigana above the kanji, kana, or romaji — switch whenever you like. Definitions and example sentences can be shown in Japanese or English, so you can start before you can read kanji.

TAP ANY WORD YOU DON'T KNOW
Stuck on a word inside a definition? Tap it, and that word's own photo card opens right there. No dictionary, no losing your place.

COMES BACK BEFORE YOU FORGET
Spaced repetition returns each word at the moment it's about to fade, and tells you when your next review is due. Words you've truly learned graduate out of the queue.

BUILT TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY
No account. No ads. Your learning stays on your device, and the cards keep working offline once the app has opened.

WHAT'S FREE
Learn your first 150 words at no cost — enough to know whether Pictango fits how you study. Premium unlocks all 6,800+ words.

Note on levels: Pictango's N5–N1 ordering is its own study path, not an official JLPT syllabus. Photos, definitions and example sentences are produced with AI and quality-checked; for exam preparation, confirm against official materials.

Terms of Use: https://pictango.corita.jp/terms
Privacy Policy: https://pictango.corita.jp/privacy

## Key features

- Learn with original photos
- Structured learning by JLPT level
- Spaced repetition for retention
- Customizable reading display (furigana, kana, romaji)
- Tap to learn new words in definitions
- Offline functionality
- Free trial of 150 words

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pictango Premium | $1.99 | per month |



## Frequently asked questions about Pictango

### How does Pictango help me learn Japanese?

Pictango pairs over 6,800 Japanese words with original photographs to enhance memory. It uses spaced repetition to ensure words are reviewed before you forget them, and offers structured learning across 66 graded levels.

### Can I try Pictango before buying?

Yes, Pictango offers a free trial of its first 150 words. This allows you to experience the learning methodology and see if it fits your study style before committing to a premium subscription.

### What are the subscription options for Pictango?

Pictango offers a 'Pictango Premium' subscription at $1.99 per month. This premium plan unlocks access to all 6,800+ words in the app.

### Does Pictango have ads?

No, Pictango is ad-free. The app is designed to stay out of the way of your learning, with no advertisements to interrupt your study sessions.

### Can I use Pictango offline?

Yes, once the app has been opened, the learning cards keep working offline. This allows you to study Japanese vocabulary even without an internet connection.

### How does Pictango handle different learning preferences?

Pictango allows you to read Japanese your way by switching between furigana above kanji, kana, or romaji. Definitions and example sentences can also be displayed in Japanese or English.

### What is the update frequency for Pictango?

The latest version of Pictango is 3.3.0, last updated on August 20, 2026. This indicates a relatively recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support.

### Is Pictango suitable for JLPT exam preparation?

Pictango's word ordering follows its own study path from JLPT N5 to N1. While it helps build vocabulary, the app notes that for official exam preparation, you should confirm against official JLPT materials.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3.0 — 2026-08-20

YOUR REVIEWS NOW COME IN DAILY PORTIONS
Coming back after a few days off used to mean facing every overdue word at once. Now Pictango plans your reviews for you: each day brings a focused portion — about 30 words, starting with the ones closest to fading — and the rest are scheduled over the days ahead. Miss a day, and the plan simply rebalances.

Also in this update:
• Your home screen and daily reminder now show today's portion, not the whole backlog — the number you see is the number you'll actually study.
• The set summary now tells you what tomorrow really asks of you.
• Only the timing of reviews changed. Your progress and answer history stay exactly as they were.

### 3.2.0 — 2026-08-11

KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN EVERY SESSION
Each phase of a session — learning, testing, reviewing — now opens with a short intro screen, so you always know what comes next and why.

PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF
Life happens mid-set. If you leave, Pictango holds your place for 72 hours and resumes from the exact card you stopped at.

CROSSING A BAND IS NOW A MOMENT
Finishing the last level of a JLPT band used to switch you to the next one in silence. Now your set summary marks the crossing — you'll see exactly which band you just left behind and which one starts next.

Also in this update:
• During recall, the example sentence now hides the word you're being asked for — no more accidental spoilers.
• Dozens of photos and English definitions refined for accuracy.
• The level list follows you into the new band, so the level you're on is never scrolled out of sight.
• Readings no longer stack vertically on words with small kana (きょう, だいじょうぶ, シャツ).
• The dotted underline under tappable words sits clear of the characters.
• "Rate this app" in Settings now opens the App Store. It quietly did nothing before — if you've been meaning to leave a review, it works now.

### 3.1.0 — 2026-08-05

This release changes how you study.

LEARN IN SETS OF 20
Instead of an endless stream, each session is now one focused set: you learn the words, test yourself, then review what's coming due. Every set has a clear finish line.

A QUICK LEVEL CHECK
New to Pictango, or not sure which level fits? Answer a handful of words and we'll suggest a starting level. You can change it at any time.

PICK YOUR LEVEL DIRECTLY
The home screen now shows your levels from N5 to N1 so you can see where you are and move to a different level whenever you want.

KNOW WHEN YOU'RE COMING BACK
After each set, Pictango tells you when your next review is due and how many words are waiting.

Also in this release: a warning before you leave a set unfinished, so you don't lose your progress by accident, an evenly sized set of words in every level, a level list that fits on smaller screens, and a number of smaller fixes.

### 2.0 — 2026-07-30

Start learning from your first real word—no forced tutorial. New cards show the full word, meaning, example, and photo with automatic pronunciation, while learned words move to recall-based review. Sessions resume more reliably, review display can be customized, and navigation, privacy, performance, and stability have been improved.

### 1.0 — 2026-07-24

No release notes.

## More apps by tatsuya ikeyama

- [Pictan - See It, Learn It](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictan-see-it-learn-it/id6768325417)

All apps by tatsuya ikeyama: https://appshunter.io/developer/1896560677

## Related topics

[pimsleur japanese](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pimsleur-japanese) · [learn japanese words](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/learn-japanese-words) · [jishotu](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/jishotu) · [japanese learning ai](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/japanese-learning-ai)

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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 2026-08-23.*
