Best Flashcard Apps for Japanese Learners (2025 Edition)
2 min read
Learning Japanese is an exciting challenge — but remembering new vocabulary, kanji, and readings can quickly feel overwhelming. That’s where flashcards come in.
In this post, we’ll look at the best flashcard apps for Japanese learners in 2025, whether you’re focusing on hiragana, kanji, or full sentences.
1. Mora
Best for: Learners who want a clean, intuitive flashcard experience with smart spaced repetition and handwriting or typing practice.
Why it stands out:
- Supports Japanese scripts (kanji, hiragana, katakana)
- Built-in text-to-speech for pronunciation
- Typing and recall modes to test memory
- Handwriting input for practicing characters
- Easy import/export via CSV
Mora doesn’t have pre-made decks (yet) — it’s built for learners who want full control over what they study. Perfect for self-learners following textbooks or tutors.
2. Anki
Best for: Power users who love customization and don’t mind setup.
Anki is a classic for a reason — it’s open-source, powerful, and has a massive community sharing Japanese decks (like Core 2k/6k). However, it can feel intimidating for beginners.
3. Torii SRS
Best for: JLPT-focused learners.
Torii offers a built-in Japanese vocabulary course with pre-made decks, audio, and example sentences. It’s great if you’re preparing for the JLPT or using the “Core 10k” list.
4. Mochi
Best for: Beautiful, minimal design lovers.
Mochi has a modern interface and markdown note support, great for organizing study notes alongside flashcards. However, it lacks handwriting and phonetic flexibility.
Summary
| App | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mora | Personal vocabulary decks | Typing, handwriting, TTS |
| Anki | Advanced users | Custom decks, community |
| Torii | JLPT prep | Built-in course, SRS |
| Mochi | Note-takers | Markdown, sync |
Each app fits a different kind of learner — but if you want a simple, beautiful, and flexible tool to build your own decks, Mora is worth a try.