# Real Kana — Learn Hiragana and Katakana

> Interactive iOS app for learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana. (iPhone/iPad app by Hoo Logic.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-kana/id343807473 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hoo Logic](https://appshunter.io/developer/756365885)
- Category: Education, Lifestyle
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 37 App Store ratings · 99 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 5 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-12-11
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-kana/id343807473/reviews.md

## What is Real Kana?

The iOS version of Real Kana, the popular website for learning hiragana and katakana.

• keyboard, slideshow and swipe modes

• repeat problem characters

• native pronunciation

• basic scoring

• nine typefaces

• four backgrounds

• horizontal and vertical text

… and a simple, distraction-free interface.

Made in Tokyo.

## Key features

- Keyboard, slideshow, and swipe modes
- Repeat problem characters
- Native pronunciation
- Basic scoring
- Nine typefaces
- Distraction-free interface

## What do users think of Real Kana?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
- 🚀 Fast and efficient for practice
- 💡 Great for learning kana (Hiragana/Katakana)
- ✅ Effective for memorization
- 🔠 Supports extended Katakana
- 🎨 Customizable settings and appearance
- 📚 Useful for reviewing and refreshing knowledge
- ✨ Focuses on reading recognition
- 💯 Developers are appreciated
- 🌟 Good value for money

**Cons**

- ❌ Lacks word practice feature
- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 🚫 Keyboard disappears
- ❓ No audio pronunciation
- 📉 Outdated UI/design
- 🔄 Not updated for newer iPhones/iPads
- 😵 Confusing to navigate initially
- 🔠 Incorrect hiragana combinations labeled
- 🤔 Settings not intuitive to find
- 😩 Version 2 is a step backward from Version 1

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS18 when moving to next character
- Keyboard becomes invisible after app switch or phone lock
- App scrolls through vowels only, no menu
- App won't rotate to landscape mode on iPad
- Unable to install app after purchase
- Setting bar doesn't appear
- Multiple taps needed to hear pronunciation
- Incorrect combination hiragana labels
- App crashes before opening post-update
- Typing practice doesn't clear if wrong in Version 2
- Backgrounds are distracting in Version 2

**Most requested features**

- Implement word practice feature like the website
- Add audio pronunciation
- Update UI for modern devices (iPhone X+, iPad)
- Implement landscape mode for iPad
- Add onboarding or tutorial
- Improve keyboard visibility
- Add spaced repetition
- Add voice recognition
- Allow selection of individual characters for study
- Add option to adjust font size
- Add dark mode or color options
- Add score tracking without showing answers
- Add drawing practice for kana

## Recent user reviews (10 of 99)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-kana/id343807473/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Good but website better

*2025-05-24*

So, I really like the app and the website, but you can’t learn using words like on the website. Pleaaseee implement the words feature into the app

### 3/5 — Extended katakana! ⭐️ but no word practice ❌

*2025-05-05, version 3.0.4*

Great for learning the kana. App version of the website realkana.com. 

Most other kana apps don’t have the extended katakana like this one does, so I bought it to practice the extended katakana. I already know the kana but I always struggle when I read a word with any of the extended katakana forms like ウィ or フェ which don’t have a hiragana equivalent. Unfortunately the app doesn’t have word typing practice like the website does. I’ve already been using the website so I don’t mind supporting the devs and I don’t expect them to implement this as the last big update was a decade ago, but it would be nice to have!

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2025-03-03, version 3.0.4*

All I does is scroll though vowels. There is no menu like in the screenshots

### 3/5 — Ugh

*2024-11-24, version 3.0.4*

Found this via a website and I absolutely love it. But the app on my iPad wont rotate to landscape mode. Please for the love of god update this

### 2/5 — app is SO buggy

*2024-11-14, version 3.0.4*

constant crashes on iOS18 when trying to move on to the next character. Pretty useless for learning anything with it crashing every 4-5 characters

### 3/5 — Keyboard disappears

*2024-06-24, version 3.0.4*

I like the app but every time I change app or lock the phone and then I reopen the app, the keyboard becomes invisible: I can still type but I can’t see any character so I need to start again my session

### 3/5 — Hello Dev

*2023-11-11*

I bought this app because i use the website alot. I want to support your work. But there is something wrong with this app:

On the website, you can write whole words and not only the Hiraganas or Katakanas. You can choose between N5-N1 Words.

That improves the reading skill alot. Please please implement this in the app.

Until then, i will use the website. Thank you.

### 2/5 — Is there audio for this app?

*2023-10-22, version 3.0.2*

On the description, it stated native pronunciation and silly me for thinking there’s audio pronunciation instead of just romaji. Not sure how that’s gonna help with pronunciation when there’s no audio help. Or am I missing something? Waste of money.

### 1/5 — Unable to install hint

*2023-09-14*

I pay to download this app and it said unable to install?? What happened?

### 2/5 — Will be much more useful if it supported iPad and had an onboarding

*2023-09-11, version 3.0.2*

Was very disappointed when I was recommended this app and had to consult YouTube for instructions. Onboarding should be in an app, or the app should be designed such that it’s self explanatory and no documentation needs to be consulted; especially one that is iOS-only. 

Then I found that the app doesn’t support iPad which is where I do much of my Japanese study. It runs, but only in portrait mode. 

One star for being iOS only, and one star for being useful on the iPhone after consulting documentation. 

I almost asked for a refund but decided communicating what would make this app worthy of more stars would be more helpful. Right now, this hasn’t replaced my flash cards yet.

## Frequently asked questions about Real Kana

### What is this app for?

This app is designed to help users learn and practice Japanese Hiragana and Katakana characters. It offers various interactive modes to make the learning process engaging and effective.

### What learning modes are available?

The app provides multiple learning modes including keyboard input, slideshow presentations, and swipe gestures. It also features a function to repeat problem characters, allowing users to focus on areas where they need more practice.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the app is completely free to use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, offering a pure learning experience.

### What are the key features for learning?

Key features include native pronunciation for accurate learning, basic scoring to track progress, nine different typefaces for character recognition, and the ability to display text horizontally or vertically.

### Who would benefit from using this app?

This app is ideal for beginners and intermediate learners of the Japanese language who need to master Hiragana and Katakana. It's also suitable for anyone seeking a simple, focused tool for kana memorization.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.0.9 — 2026-06-07

This version displays a deprecation notice directing users to the new Real Kana app, which replaces existing versions of both Real Kana and Real Kanji.

### 3.0.8 — 2026-01-28

Fixed a JLPT N3 reading: 衣服 is now いふく.

### 3.0.7 — 2026-01-19

Smarter handling of single quotes when typing rōmaji text.

### 3.0.6 — 2025-11-14

Bug fix with を/ヲ audio file.

### 3.0.4 — 2024-01-15

Updated privacy URL.

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## More apps by Hoo Logic

- [Real Kanji](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-kanji/id794223917)
- [Real Kana](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-kana/id6775655637)
- [Real Hangul](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-hangul/id6794411248)

All apps by Hoo Logic: https://appshunter.io/developer/756365885

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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 2026-09-02.*