日本語 · Kana Lock
Your journey into Japanese starts here.
Discover Hiragana, Katakana, free printable learning resources, and an iPhone app that turns your Lock Screen into a language-learning companion.
Learn Japanese — 日本語を学ぼう
Japanese uses three writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Start with the foundations and discover how a few characters can open the door to an entire language.
Hiragana — ひらがな
Hiragana is the foundation of Japanese writing. Its 46 basic characters represent sounds used in everyday Japanese words and grammar.
Examples:
あ (a) · い (i) · う (u)
ねこ (neko) — Cat
Katakana — カタカナ
Katakana also has 46 basic characters. It’s commonly used for foreign words, borrowed names, and emphasis.
Examples:
ア (a) · イ (i) · ウ (u)
コーヒー (kōhī) — Coffee
Learn the sounds, practice recognition, and build your confidence one character at a time.
Free Japanese Printables
Take your learning offline with printable practice sheets, character charts, and cut-out flashcards. No payment or membership required.
Hiragana Practice
Character charts, writing practice, and printable study cards.
Download Free Hiragana Pack ↓Katakana Practice
Character charts, writing practice, and printable study cards.
Download Free Katakana Pack ↓20 New Words. Every Month. Free.
Grow your Japanese vocabulary with a new printable collection of 20 words each month, delivered straight to your inbox.
A Peek Inside
ねこ — Neko — Cat
いぬ — Inu — Dog
みず — Mizu — Water
やま — Yama — Mountain
そら — Sora — Sky
Just a sample of what you’ll learn.
Take Japanese to Your Lock Screen
Kana Lock turns your iPhone Lock Screen into a convenient Japanese learning companion. Practice Hiragana and Katakana throughout your day, at your own pace.
Learn Mode
Build familiarity with Japanese characters and their sounds through regular exposure.
Quiz Mode
Test your memory with tap-to-reveal answers, and revisit characters that need more practice.
Free to learn. No ads. No subscriptions. No paywalls.