Kanji Dojo

Kanji Dojo is an open-source app for learning to write Japanese characters, their meanings, readings, and related words. It covers hiragana and katakana as well as more than 6,000 characters. Learners can organize study by JLPT level, school grade, or WaniKani level, using one path or combining them. Flashcards and spaced repetition support practice, including vocabulary examples, and a searchable dictionary covers characters and words. After downloading the necessary learning materials, users can continue studying offline. The learning content is free; some extra features are paid to help meet backend and development expenses. The app is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Its privacy policy says analytics collect aggregated usage information without personal identifiers and crash diagnostics, and that user information is not shared or sold for marketing. Development is community driven, so feature requests may depend on an interested contributor. The linked GitHub repository is read-only after being archived on August 27, 2026.

Kanji Dojo offers broad character coverage, study paths, and offline practice with free learning content. Its archived repository and community-driven development are worth considering if you expect ongoing updates or feature requests.

It suits learners practicing Japanese writing, readings, and vocabulary who want structured study paths and offline access after downloading materials. Users who rely on ongoing project changes should note that the linked repository is archived and read-only.

Overview

Kanji Dojo is a Japanese-character study app for learners who want writing practice alongside meanings, readings, and vocabulary. Its broad coverage and flexible study paths make it a strong fit for structured self-study; the archived, read-only repository is a significant caveat for anyone who values continuing development.

Key features

• Hiragana, katakana, and kanji: More than 6,000 characters give learners room to move from basic scripts into broader kanji study without changing apps.
• Study paths: JLPT levels, school grades, and WaniKani levels let learners align practice to different curricula or goals, and can be combined. That flexibility is useful, though it does not replace a learner’s need to choose a consistent route.
• Handwriting and review: Pen-control exercises, flashcards, and spaced repetition pair writing with recall practice. Vocabulary examples help connect characters to words rather than treating each character in isolation.
• Dictionary and offline study: A searchable character-and-word dictionary provides a reference within the app. Download the necessary learning materials first, and study can continue offline.
• Open-source project: The app is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later. However, its repository was archived on August 27, 2026 and is read-only. The project is described as community driven, and feature requests may go unanswered unless a contributor takes interest; that limits confidence in future changes.
• Privacy: Firebase Analytics collects aggregated usage information without personal identifiers, while Firebase Crashlytics collects crash logs and diagnostics. The policy says user information is not shared or sold to third parties for marketing.

Pricing

Kanji Dojo is freemium, with no free trial. The Free plan costs nothing and includes completely free, open-source learning content. Some extra features are paid to help cover backend and development expenses. That makes the core study material accessible without a subscription, but the free plan does not include every feature.

The app’s plans have no published prices beyond Free; any paid plan is custom pricing. No seat or usage caps are stated. The repository’s archived status is worth weighing before paying for extras, particularly if your decision depends on ongoing development.

Platforms

Kanji Dojo supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. That range suits learners who want to study across desktop and mobile devices, while offline use depends on downloading materials beforehand.

Who it's for

Choose Kanji Dojo if you want a broad Japanese-character library, handwriting-oriented practice, and review tools organized around JLPT, grade, or WaniKani paths. It is less suitable if you need confidence in an active development roadmap or expect requested features to be delivered.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad script coverage: Hiragana, katakana, and more than 6,000 characters support study across multiple stages.
• Several ways to organize study: JLPT, school-grade, and WaniKani paths can be combined.
• Useful study mix: Pen-control exercises, spaced repetition, flashcards, vocabulary examples, and a searchable dictionary address practice and reference needs.
• Free core content and offline option: Learning materials cost nothing, and can be used offline after download.

Cons

• Repository is archived and read-only: This is a material concern for learners who want ongoing project updates or community contributions.
• Feature requests are uncertain: Community-driven development means a request may not be implemented without an interested contributor.
• Some extras cost money: The learning content is free, but not every feature is included in the free offering.

Alternatives

For a broader selection, browse Handwriting Practice Apps. Choose Copybook Club if you want an iOS app centered on worksheet generation, with its free plan capped at three worksheets per week and two pages per worksheet, alongside selected fonts and palettes, free Word Packs, two free stories, two Ink Rush rounds per day, and PDF export.

Writing Wizard is an Android, iOS, and Windows alternative with a free download; remaining letters and custom words require an in-app purchase or subscription. Pick Handwriting Repeater for Android, iOS, or web if you prefer a free option with no account, no subscription or premium tier, and no limits on sentences or repetitions.

Hanzi Writer offers core writing practice features for free on Android, iOS, and macOS, with a Pro monthly plan whose price is displayed in the app and includes unlimited daily practice and AI-generated custom topics. iTrace is an Android and iOS option with a free version limited to handwriting warm-ups, three letters, and one interactive scene; its premium features cost $3.99, paid once.

Kitsunewa Writing Practice runs on Android, iOS, and web, offering writing practice and other tools without signup; its Pro plan is $4.08 a month, billed $49 billed yearly, with a stated 31% saving. Nazoru is another Android, iOS, and macOS option, with two full practices per day on its free plan alongside WaniKani, Bunpro, and MaruMori sync and JLPT, grade, frequency, and Heisig paths.

Turtle Practice is a free-download option for iOS and Android.

Verdict

Kanji Dojo is best for learners who want free core content, extensive Japanese-character coverage, and multiple ways to structure handwriting and review practice. Its combination of pen-control exercises, spaced repetition, dictionary access, and offline study is compelling; look elsewhere if an active repository and more predictable feature development are priorities.