Read Japanese,
one kana at a time.

How Hirakata works

Hirakata is a free, browser-based flashcard app — no account, no install, no paywall. Pick a deck (Hiragana, Katakana, or JLPT Vocabulary) and start immediately in one of four study modes: Study to flip through flashcards at your own pace, Quiz to test recall with multiple-choice questions, Match to pair characters with their pronunciations, and Review for a full-grid overview of everything you've covered. Every character comes with native audio pronunciation, and you can narrow practice down to just the characters you're struggling with.

Prefer studying offline? Every character set is also available as a free printable chart or practice sheet — print it, laminate it, or keep it next to your keyboard while you drill.

Study vocabulary by JLPT level

Once kana feel automatic, build vocabulary with the JLPT word lists — over 8,000 words across five levels, each with its own searchable list and flashcard deck.

• JLPT N5 vocabulary list — 684 words. Survival-level basics — the first ~800 words a beginner needs.
• JLPT N4 vocabulary list — 640 words. Everyday conversation — routines, plans, opinions, and casual speech.
• JLPT N3 vocabulary list — 1717 words. The bridge level — where functional fluency starts.
• JLPT N2 vocabulary list — 1777 words. Newspaper and workplace Japanese — the level most jobs and universities ask for.
• JLPT N1 vocabulary list — 3427 words. Near-native range — academic, literary, and specialised vocabulary.