Learn Japanese from hiragana to JLPT N1 with structured lessons for vocabulary, kanji, grammar, listening, reading, and review — all in one app.
Coban is designed for learners who want to understand Japanese, not simply memorize it. Learn grammar and vocabulary in context, recognize patterns, and build the skills you need to understand and use Japanese naturally.
— STUDY FROM N5 TO N1
Follow a structured learning path from beginner Japanese to advanced JLPT content.
• 7,500+ vocabulary words
• 2,100+ kanji
• 490+ grammar points
• 2,500+ example sentences
• JLPT N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1 content
— LEARN WITH AUDIO
More than 12,000 audio recordings help you connect written Japanese with natural pronunciation.
Listen to vocabulary and example sentences, practice shadowing, and strengthen your listening comprehension as you study.
— REVIEW WHAT YOU LEARN
Use quizzes and SRS review to reinforce vocabulary, kanji, and grammar and focus your study on what you need to remember.
— STUDY JAPANESE OFFLINE
Coban’s learning content is stored on your device, so you can continue studying even without an internet connection.
— BUILT FOR REAL JAPANESE
Coban goes beyond JLPT test preparation. Lessons are designed to help you see how Japanese works in context so you can apply what you learn to reading, listening, conversation, and everyday communication.
Whether you are just starting Japanese or working toward JLPT N1, Coban gives you a complete Japanese study library you can keep using as your skills grow.
I’ve been a fan of the creator of this app for the longest time, before the app evolved so much. I knew them from a series of N5 and N4 materials available online entirely for free. I studied alone for some years, and it’s in great part thanks to this material that I passed on both N5 and N4 (back in 2021 and 2022). Now, I am very happy to see how the app is much more polished, with lots more resources, as I’m sure it will help me a lot with N3 and beyond. This is a creator I am very happy to support, and I have been very satisfied with everything I have seen so far. I highly recommend it for anyone who’s serious about studying Japanese! The app has a friendly interface and plenty of examples. The VS functionality to help identify differences in similar grammar points is especially useful. Keep up the excellent work! ⭐️
Developer Response
Thank you so much for such a warm and thoughtful review.As an independent developer working on this app by myself, messages like yours truly mean a lot to me. Knowing that you have been using the app since its early days, and that my materials helped you pass both N5 and N4, makes me incredibly happy and grateful.Your support gives me a lot of motivation to keep improving the app and to continue adding useful features, tools, and content little by little. There are still many things I would like to improve to make studying Japanese even more useful and enjoyable.If you ever have any suggestions or requests, please feel free to contact me anytime through the app. Feedback from long-time users like you is especially valuable to me.As a Japanese person, I’m also very happy to know that you enjoy learning Japanese. Thank you again for supporting my work for so many years, and I hope you continue to enjoy your Japanese learning journey!
Almost great with glaring problems
Dat dawg person
While this app does appear to be one of the best sources for learning the grammar of N5 specifically, and I plan on using it for that, I think it has tons of issues that hopefully can be hammered out with future updates. There are tons of performance issues/glitches when navigating the menus particularly when exiting a lesson. I think vocabulary could be made all around better for learning by not making it multiple choice, or at least having the option to do that. Also it seems reviewing vocabulary is likely a huge pain since you have to manually add words to create your own review list, and without doing that you don’t really have any options. For grammar stuff it’s hands down the best resource I’ve found, but again, the UI doesn’t work well. I hope these issues can be fixed at some point, especially the UI problems because that’s just really bad.
Great for review as well!
Lennie K.
I studied Japanese while in college and only had classes for beginners to the lower intermediate level. Now that I’ve graduated and I’m busy with work, I don’t have as much time to study formally like I did before. This app has been great for me. I use it for about 20 minutes a day to review the basics. I’m familiar with everything on the app, but it never hurts to strengthen your foundations. If I had to make a complaint, is that there isn’t more content! I know this is material for N5 learners but I would LOVE to see more for levels N4-N1. I also use their official website (which is how I found out about this app to begin with). I seriously enjoy the content you have to offer and hope that you’ll be expanding it all soon in the future. I wish that I had found you all sooner! <3
Amazing start looking forward to updates
Smealek
Anyone around JlptN5 level and learning N4 kanji should get this app, basically absolute beginners. I wish I found this app earlier, so now I’m just waiting for it to update with N4 grammar breakdowns, and N3 hopefully. Other than that very pretty app, but I do have some suggestions. First of, it isn’t working completely fluidly and does get finicky with drag and drop, and occasionally freezes stutters—I am using iPhone 12 for reference. Anyway aside from that, I think for new learners, it’s good to have an immediate learn/review button. Learn the term, and practice immediately—although I don’t mind the way it’s laid out now. Anyway great app really looking forward to an N3 update, and to really use it 🙆♂️ great great start.
Developer Response
Hi Smealek-san,Thank you for your feedback.I'm planning to add some N4 grammar content, vocabulary, and some N3 kanji around next month or September at the latest.I'm trying to fix bugs and make the app as user-friendly as possible.If you have any requests or problems, please feel free to contact me. =)nihongo.library@gmail.comBest regards
- Fixed a drag-and-drop UI issue in SRS.
- Added support for iOS 15.
- Improved the UI and fixed minor bugs.
Version 4.5.1
The developer, Akira NOGUCHI, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Used to Track You
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Akira NOGUCHI
Size
693.6 MB
Category
Education
Compatibility
Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 15.0 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 12.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
