Comparison

JP Prefecture vs Onomanabi

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

JP Prefecture

Features
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The app consists of two parts. On the one part where you could practice Japanese letters, that used in the name of Prefecture in Japan. On the other part where you could make sure where it is on a simple map by selecting a prefecture you want to see. You can select English or Japanese on some of pages. It would be good thing for Japanese learners since you could practice Japanese letters and also make sure where each prefecture is using a simple map. Enjoy writing Japanese letters!

About

Onomanabi

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Stop translating. Start feeling. Onomanabi teaches Japanese onomatopoeia — the sound and mimetic words (giongo and gitaigo) that carry nuance no dictionary translation captures. The kana themselves move, so you feel the difference before you read the explanation. Built for intermediate-to-advanced learners (JLPT N3–N1) and Japanese teachers alike. WHY ONOMATOPOEIA "Doki-doki." "Zaa-zaa." "Kira-kira." Japanese is full of words whose real meaning lives in a feeling, not a translation. Onomanabi makes that feeling visible. FEEL IT THROUGH MOTION Every word moves in its own way — spinning, bouncing, stretching, trembling — so you feel the difference between "zaa-zaa" and "para-para" instead of just reading about it. USAGE MAPS Each word sits on a map of nearby words, with axes chosen for the subject: soft to hard for textures, negative to positive for feelings. COMPARISON MODE (PREMIUM) Tap a nearby word on the usage map and the comparison opens right below, with a native note on the decisive difference — the nuance dictionaries flatten out. QUIZZES THAT STICK Multiple quiz types (4-choice, typing, comparison) with mistake-prioritized, spaced-repetition review. LEVELS & COLLECTION A guided six-level path and word-collection progress, plus a daily word to keep you coming back. FOR TEACHERS A category- and level-organized reference for a subject most textbooks barely cover. FREE TO START Levels 1–2, part of the dictionary, and usage maps are free — no account needed. Your progress and reviews are saved on your device. The dictionary, quizzes, and reviews work offline. PREMIUM (ONE-TIME, NOT A SUBSCRIPTION) - 1,500+ words - Levels 3–6 - Comparison mode and comparison quizzes - No further payments, ever Japanese nuance isn't something you translate. It's something you feel. Start with today's word.

Screenshots

JP Prefecture4 screens
Onomanabi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JP Prefecture at none against Onomanabi's 2. JP Prefecture also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.4). Onomanabi's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 12 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Onomanabi sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. JP Prefecture asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JP Prefecture ships an update every 12 months, Onomanabi every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 2 level
JP Prefecture versus Onomanabi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJP PrefectureOnomanabi
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size572 MB93 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHajime SasakiTakeshi Nogi

In-app purchases

None

JP Prefecture

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Onomanabi

One-time2
  • Onomanabi Premium (Welcome)$11.99
  • Onomanabi Premium$14.99

Questions

Is JP Prefecture free?
JP Prefecture is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Onomanabi free?
Onomanabi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do JP Prefecture or Onomanabi have ads?
JP Prefecture shows ads; Onomanabi does not.
Which is updated more often, JP Prefecture or Onomanabi?
JP Prefecture ships an update every 12 months, and Onomanabi every 6 days. Most recently, JP Prefecture was updated on October 16, 2026 and Onomanabi on October 11, 2026.

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