Which Japanese Learning Apps Are Worth It?

Best Apps for Kanji and Writing

Question: do you want to recognise kanji or be able to write them by hand? They feel similar at first, but the apps that build recognition won't necessarily teach stroke order or handwriting.

WaniKani (kanji recognition, mnemonic SRS)

Fact: WaniKani, created by Tofugu, teaches kanji and vocabulary through a spaced repetition system across 60 levels. What I especially like is that the radical and mnemonic approach makes memorising readings painless for many learners. For heavy kanji study, combine WaniKani with active writing practice.

Skritter (writing-focused)

Anecdote: I used Skritter on a business trip, tracing characters on my phone between meetings, and suddenly my stroke order was much cleaner. Skritter enforces stroke order and handwriting, so it's the app to pick if writing by hand matters for your journal or calligraphy class.

Anki (custom SRS, flexible)

Direct address: if you're the kind who customises everything, you'll love Anki. Here's the kicker: Anki supports handwriting add-ons and shared RTK or JLPT decks, so you can pair recognition cards with writing cards and tune review intervals to your schedule.

My verdict is that for pure kanji recognition, go with WaniKani; for actual handwriting practice, pick Skritter; and use Anki when you want total control.

Top Grammar Apps Compared

Imagine a narrow alley in Tokyo. Grammar lurks in conversational corners, and the right app will point you to the patterns you actually meet on the street or in a café.

Bunpro (grammar SRS, JLPT-aligned)

Take Bunpro, for instance. Bunpro organises grammar points by JLPT level and uses SRS reviews. My tip is to follow the example sentences, then try to make your own variations out loud; that helps cement particles and verb forms for N5 through N2.

Tae Kim Guide and Human Japanese (explanations)

Let's be honest: sometimes you want a clear explanation first. Tae Kim's Guide breaks down grammar with simple charts, while Human Japanese mixes culture notes and explanations in a friendly way. For foundational understanding, these are excellent complements to SRS-driven apps.

But let's stick with practice apps for daily drills while using guides for deeper explanations.

Apps for Daily Japanese and Speaking

Compared to back home, immersion in Japan means you'll hear casual speech, onomatopoeia, and regional slang everywhere, so practising daily Japanese is different from passing a test.

LingoDeer and Duolingo (structured daily lessons)

For example, LingoDeer focuses on grammar explanations and sentence patterns, often praised for properly teaching particles. Duolingo gets you quick, gamified practice, but it won't replace focused grammar work for JLPT goals.

JapanesePod101 and HelloTalk (listening and speaking)

Did you know that podcasts like JapanesePod101 provide lessons categorised by level and topic, so commuting study becomes possible? What many overlook is that HelloTalk connects you with native speakers for text, voice, and corrections, perfect for practising phrases for shrines, restaurants, and exchanges with locals.

What I especially like is that combining short podcast episodes with a daily HelloTalk exchange gives you both passive exposure and active use.

How to Combine Apps for Real Progress

Here's a short plan: pair a kanji app with a grammar SRS app, add daily listening, and find a speaking partner. Sounds weird, but it's true, the combo beats one app used alone.

What many overlook is that consistency beats intensity. Ten minutes of writing practice in Skritter, plus ten Bunpro reviews and one short podcast episode, will outpace weekend cram sessions.

Insider tip: if you're preparing for JLPT, align WaniKani levels with Bunpro JLPT tags and use shared Anki decks for vocabulary. From my experience, this mixes recognition, production, and grammar into a balanced routine.

Sources

1. Original Instagram post
2. WaniKani by Tofugu
3. Skritter
4. Anki
5. Bunpro
6. Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese
7. LingoDeer
8. JapanesePod101
9. Kyoto: Sehenswürdigkeiten & Tipps
10. Business Insider travel tips