Sand Nihongo
Grow your Japanese,
from sprout to forest
A Japanese learning app for JLPT N5–N1, from hiragana and katakana to kanji.
Write kanji by hand, learn vocabulary, and read & listen to real topics.
App Preview
Key Features
Write Kanji
Memorize kanji by writing them yourself with on-device handwriting recognition
Learn Vocabulary
JLPT N5–N1 words with multiple-choice quizzes and spaced review
Hiragana & Katakana
Build a solid foundation by reading and writing the basic Japanese kana
Read & Listen
Practice with real topics and natural-sounding audio to train your ears
Grow Through Levels
Sprout
Start with JLPT N5 essentials
Branch
Expand into N4 vocabulary
Tree
Deepen with N3 kanji and words
Forest
Master N2–N1 for fluency
About Sand Nihongo
Sand Nihongo is a Japanese learning app for Android, iPhone, and iPad that prepares you for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) from N5 to N1. It is built for short daily practice: start with hiragana and katakana, then move on to JLPT vocabulary, kanji, and real-world sentences.
Each study mode trains a different skill. Multiple-choice quizzes and spaced review help new words stick, kanji writing practice recognizes your handwriting on the device, listening practice trains your ear with natural-sounding audio, and time attack rounds test your speed. You grow through four levels, Sprout, Branch, Tree, and Forest, and stats show your study history at a glance.
Sand Nihongo is free to download and shows periodic ads. Two optional in-app purchases, a one-time lifetime purchase or a monthly subscription, remove the ad breaks and let you download the voice files for offline study. Your learning progress and your handwriting stay on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which JLPT levels does Sand Nihongo cover?
Sand Nihongo covers all five JLPT levels, from N5 to N1. You start with N5 essentials and grow through Sprout (N5), Branch (N4), Tree (N3), and Forest (N2 and N1).
Does it recognize handwritten kanji?
Yes. When you practice writing kanji or kana, the app recognizes your handwriting stroke by stroke with on-device machine learning, so you get feedback as you write.
Does it include hiragana and katakana?
Yes. Sand Nihongo starts with the basic Japanese kana, so you can learn to read and write hiragana and katakana before moving on to vocabulary and kanji.
What do the in-app purchases unlock?
Sand Nihongo is free to download and shows periodic ads. A one-time lifetime purchase or a monthly subscription removes the ad breaks and lets you download the voice files for offline study. Both unlock the same benefits, so you only need one.
Can I use Sand Nihongo offline?
Your progress and settings are stored on your device. Pronunciation audio plays over the network as you study, and the lifetime purchase or monthly subscription lets you download the voice files to keep practicing offline.
What study modes does Sand Nihongo have?
Multiple-choice quizzes to memorize vocabulary, listening practice with Japanese pronunciation, kanji and kana writing with handwriting recognition, and time attack rounds against the clock. Stats show your study history and growth at a glance.