KANABLOOM
Built only for hiragana & katakana

The best app to learn hiragana & katakana

Most Japanese apps try to teach everything. Kanabloom does one thing beautifully: it gets the two kana scripts into your memory and keeps them there, with flashcards and smart revision that focus on exactly what you keep missing.

Download on theApp StoreSee how it compares
5.0 on the App Store · Free to start
Kanabloom katakana modeKanabloom hiragana mode

Why it works when other apps stall

The scripts are small and learnable. What most tools get wrong is the experience around them.

One job, done beautifully

No sprawling course, no streak guilt, no ads. Just a calm, focused flow that respects your attention and makes daily practice something you actually want to open.

Revision that targets your gaps

Kanabloom notices the characters you get wrong and quietly brings them back more often, so your minutes go to the kana you are actually about to forget, not the ones you already know.

Zero setup for beginners

Start from absolute zero. No decks to build, no settings to tune. Native pronunciation, clear stroke order, and color-coded feedback are there from the first card.

Kanabloom vs the usual options

There is no single best app for everyone. Here is an honest look at where each one fits when your goal is reading kana.

KanabloomDuolingoAnkiTextbook
FocusHiragana & katakanaBroad Japanese courseAnything you buildGeneral reference
Setup neededNoneNoneHigh (build or import decks)None
Smart revisionAutomaticLimitedYes (manual tuning)No
Calm, ad-free designYesGamified and busyUtilitariann/a
Best forReading kana fastA gentle daily habitPower usersGrammar reference
PriceFree, Premium US$5.99/moFree with subscriptionFree (paid on iOS)One-off cost

Want to start before you download anything? Use the free hiragana chart, katakana chart, and kana quiz.

Start free, upgrade only if you love it

Free to download and start. Premium unlocks the full sets, word mode, and custom practice for US$5.99/month.

No ads at any tier. Master the beginner set for free, and subscribe when you are ready for the complete hiragana and katakana experience, word mode, and custom drills.

Download on theApp Store
Kanabloom hiragana flashcardsKanabloom revision mode

Start learning right now

Free guides and tools, no download or sign-up needed.

Hiragana Chart

All 104 hiragana with audio and a free printable PDF.

Katakana Chart

Every katakana, the long vowel mark, and the lookalikes.

Kana Quiz

Test your recognition and find the kana you still mix up.

Romaji Converter

Type romaji, get instant hiragana or katakana.

How to Learn Hiragana

A step-by-step plan with methods that actually work.

Hiragana vs Katakana

The difference, and which script to learn first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app to learn hiragana and katakana?
If your goal is specifically reading kana, Kanabloom is built only for hiragana and katakana, with beautiful flashcards and revision that targets the characters you keep missing. Broader apps like Duolingo teach a wider course, and Anki is powerful but needs manual setup. The right choice depends on whether you want focus (Kanabloom), a broad habit (Duolingo), or full control (Anki).
Is Kanabloom free?
Yes. Kanabloom is free to download and start, with no ads. A premium subscription (US$5.99 per month) unlocks the full hiragana and katakana sets, word mode, and custom practice. The charts, quiz, and romaji converter on this site are free.
How is Kanabloom different from Duolingo or Anki?
Kanabloom is built exclusively for kana beginners, so there is nothing to configure. Duolingo teaches a broad Japanese course rather than focusing on the scripts, and Anki is a flexible flashcard tool that rewards manual deck-building. Kanabloom trades that flexibility for a calm, beautiful experience that just works.
How long does it take to learn hiragana and katakana?
Most learners memorise each script in one to two weeks with short daily practice. Doing both, with revision, usually takes three to four weeks. See the how to learn hiragana guide.
Is there an Android version?
Kanabloom is currently available for iPhone and iPad. The free charts, quiz, and romaji converter on this website work on any device.

Ready to actually read Japanese?

Download Kanabloom free and get hiragana and katakana into memory the calm, beautiful way.

Download on theApp Store