Best Learn To Read Kanji Apps

4.7😊(7.2K ratings)

FreeIn-App Purchases

Kanji Study - Learn Japanese! screenshot 1

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This app teaches Japanese kanji by focusing on vocabulary words. It offers writing practice with stroke detection and spaced repetition reviews for effective memorization. Learn kanji readings naturally through over 5,000 JLPT-aligned words.

What We Love

🚀 Great app for learning kanji
👍 Effective review system
💡 Organized by JLPT levels
👍 Affordable one-time purchase
👍 Helps with writing practice and muscle memory

Room to Improve

🐛 Sensitive kanji recognition, sometimes doesn't accept correct strokes
🐛 Review sessions can get very long and tedious
🐛 Inconsistent kanji definitions and translations
🐛 Lack of syncing progress across devices

Kanji Learner's Dictionary by CJKI

Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dict.

Strong Contender

🔍 Reference

4.6(12 ratings)

$19.99

This comprehensive dictionary app provides detailed information on 3,002 kanji characters, including meanings, readings, and stroke order diagrams. It offers multiple search methods and is designed for learners of Japanese.

iKanji - Learn Japanese Kanji by ThinkMac Software

Read & Write JLPT & Jōyō Kanji

Worth Considering

4.8😊(142 ratings)

$4.99In-App Purchases

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Master Japanese kanji with this comprehensive study tool. It covers over 2,000 JLPT and Jōyō kanji, offering practice tests, vocabulary browsing, and spaced repetition. Learn readings, meanings, and stroke order for effective memorization.

What We Love

👍 Well-organized interface with clear navigation
📚 Comprehensive kanji database (2400+ characters)
🎯 Effective spaced repetition learning system
📊 Multiple testing modes (meaning, readings, stroke order, compounds)
🎨 Beautiful, polished design and aesthetics
🏆 Flexible study organization by JLPT/grade levels
✍️ Stroke order animation and visualization
🔍 Powerful search functionality
⚙️ Highly customizable practice sets
🎓 Excellent for JLPT exam preparation
🦊 Engaging mascot and reward system
💪 Proven long-term learning effectiveness

Room to Improve

🐛 Stroke order animation accelerates (becomes too fast)
🐛 Stroke recognition overly sensitive/finicky
🔊 Pronunciation/voice feature broken or missing
📝 Tracing mode too easy (doesn't test true memorization)
❌ Multiple choice testing lacks difficulty
⚠️ Inconsistent kanji data (missing readings)
🚫 No vocabulary quiz/test feature
🔄 Spaced repetition system has bugs
⏱️ App crashes frequently (especially older versions)
🔗 No grammar or listening features
💰 Expensive for kanji-only app
📱 Outdated and no longer actively supported

More Learn To Read Kanji apps to explore

Kanji!

Kanji 100

Learn 100 most popular KanjiEfficient Japanese learningSmart time allocation

Master the 100 most common Japanese Kanji characters to quickly improve your reading comprehension. This app helps you allocate your study time efficiently, focusing on the most frequently used characters for faster understanding.

🔍 Reference

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Master kanji through stories

Japanese Kanji Stories

2,000+ curated kanji storiesSmart adaptive review systemGuided writing exercises

Master Japanese kanji through engaging mnemonic stories and guided writing exercises. This app features a smart review system that adapts to your learning pace and provides detailed progress tracking. Explore over 2,000 kanji connected in a unique constellation to understand their relationships.

Naranare Learn Japanese Kanji

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Guided Reading for Beginners

Guided reading with beginner-friendly storiesInteractive quizzes and active recall challengesStory-based learning with vocabulary repetition

Learn to read Japanese kanji through engaging stories and interactive practice. This app uses guided reading, repetition, and active recall to build vocabulary naturally, making kanji accessible for beginners.

free with in-app purchases

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Learn Kanji JLPT N5 N4 N3 N2

Kanji study Japanese bunpo N1

2300 essential KanjiAnimated writing guidesAudio pronunciation and example sentences

Master essential Kanji for JLPT levels N5 through N1 with this comprehensive study tool. Features include animated writing guides, audio pronunciation, example sentences, and interactive flashcards and quizzes to track your learning progress.

free with in-app purchases

(2)

Remembering the Kanji

by Mirai Apps

$10.99

This app provides flashcards and review tools for learning Japanese kanji using the Heisig method. It offers customizable study lists, mnemonic story saving, stroke order animations, and drawing practice. Learn kanji readings and jukugo, and review lessons from the companion books.

Flashcards and review slidesCustomizable study listsMnemonic story saving

300 Kanji through Vocabulary

(24)

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GENKI Kanji for 3rd Ed.

$6.99

Master 317 basic kanji through over 1,100 vocabulary words. This app offers a self-paced learning experience with memorization, self-checking, audio pronunciations, and stroke order animations. Track your progress and focus on challenging kanji for efficient study.

Learn 317 basic kanjiStudy over 1,100 kanji wordsAudio recordings for vocabulary

Tadoku: Learn to Read Japanese

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Read Stories, Vocab & Grammar

Learn with real Japanese contentInteractive reading with audioActive listening practice

Master Japanese through authentic content like books, anime, and news. This app offers interactive reading with audio support, active listening practice, and a smart vocabulary builder with personalized flashcards. It's designed for efficient learning and building confidence.

Translate Japanese Characters

Real-time character recognitionOffline functionality90%+ accuracy for 2000+ Kanji

Instantly translate Japanese characters from photos using advanced AI. Get readings, translations, and detailed information offline. Features adjustable text detection and sensitivity for optimal accuracy.

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kanji_ga_omoidasemasen

Can't recall kanji ...

Kanji Camera - Reading Search

(0)

Kanji and compound lookup

Real-time kanji recognitionSearch kanji instantlyUse with books and other materials

Instantly identify and look up kanji characters in real-time using your device's camera. Perfect for deciphering unfamiliar kanji encountered while reading books or other materials.

🔍 Reference

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ad-supported

Kanji Teacher - Learn Japanese

Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana

Learn 2,136 jōyō kanjisMaster 10,000 Japanese wordsPractice Hiragana and Katakana

Master Japanese reading and writing with this comprehensive app. It covers all 2,136 jōyō kanjis, 10,000 common Japanese words, and includes practice for Hiragana and Katakana. Features include stroke analysis, intelligent multiple-choice tests, and a Leitner system for efficient learning.

(299)

Moji - Learn Japanese & Kanji

JLPT Study, Quiz & Widgets

Lock screen and home screen widgetsKanji with readings, romaji, and meaningsJLPT level integration (N5-N1)

Learn Japanese characters passively through your phone's lock and home screens. This app integrates kanji study into your daily routine, offering readings, meanings, and JLPT levels with customizable refresh schedules. Review actively within the app using spaced repetition for efficient memorization.

Learn Japanese kanji by practicing drawing characters directly on your device. This app offers an interactive way to master kanji strokes without traditional tools.

Learn kanji by drawingInteractive stroke practiceiPhone and iPad support

free with in-app purchases

(17)

Ringotan

Learn Japanese Kanji

Learn Kanji by writingAdvanced input detectionSpaced repetition system (SRS)

Master Japanese Kanji by practicing writing. This app uses advanced input detection and spaced repetition to help you learn quickly and effectively. Focuses on the physical act of writing characters, not just recognition.

(567)

Read Japanese Menus & Signs

AmeriKanji: Kanji Study

Learn jōyō kanji at your pace!

Personalized kanji workbookVisual progress trackingPractice readings, drawing, recall

This app helps you learn Japanese kanji at your own pace by creating a personalized workbook. It tracks your progress visually and allows you to practice all aspects of kanji, including readings, drawing, and recall. You can use it as flashcards or take quizzes to reinforce your learning.

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