JP Prefecture vs Onomanabi
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JP Prefecture
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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!
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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Onomanabi sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. JP Prefecture asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | JP Prefecture | Onomanabi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 572 MB | 93 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hajime Sasaki | Takeshi Nogi |
In-app purchases
JP Prefecture
No in-app purchases
Onomanabi
- Onomanabi Premium (Welcome)$11.99
- Onomanabi Premium$14.99









