Kanji Dojo is a free, open-source Android application for learning Japanese kana and kanji developed by Yaroslav Shuliak. It uses spaced repetition to schedule writing and reading practice across 6,000+ characters, organized by JLPT level, Japanese school grade, and WaniKani level — with no locked content or paid tiers.
In-Depth Explanation
Platform: Android (Google Play: `ua.syt0r.kanji`). iOS availability pending at time of writing. 50,000+ downloads; 4.8 stars with nearly 2,000 ratings. Completely free; no in-app purchases. Open-source (source available on GitHub). Last updated February 2026.
Kanji Dojo takes a writing-first approach to kanji learning, requiring learners to produce correct stroke order and character shape rather than only recognizing characters from multiple-choice options. The SRS engine schedules writing practice based on performance, spacing successful characters further apart and returning failed characters sooner. This emphasis on production practice makes Kanji Dojo complementary to recognition-focused apps.
Character Coverage and Organization
The app covers hiragana, katakana, and 6,000+ kanji. Characters can be studied in sets organized by JLPT level (N5–N1), Japanese school grade (1–6 and secondary), or WaniKani level. This flexibility allows learners to align study with their chosen external curriculum.
Writing Practice and SRS
Practice sessions prompt learners to write each character with correct stroke order and shape. The app uses handwriting recognition to evaluate responses and records performance per character. SRS intervals are calculated from this performance history. Between active writing sessions, characters are also reviewed in a faster reading recognition mode.
Dictionary Integration
Kanji Dojo includes a dictionary for looking up individual characters and words, accessible within the same app as the writing practice sessions.
Open-Source Model
Unlike most language learning apps, Kanji Dojo is open-source. The codebase is publicly available, and there are no paid features or premium tiers — all content and functionality is free. This model is explicitly cited by the developer as a deliberate choice.
History
Kanji Dojo was developed by Yaroslav Shuliak as an independent open-source project. The app reached 50,000 or more downloads on Android and maintains a 4.8 rating — among the highest for any Japanese writing practice app. iOS development has been mentioned by the developer as a planned future addition. The fully free, open-source model has generated positive community attention, particularly among learners who compare it favorably to subscription-based kanji apps.
Common Misconceptions
“Free apps are lower quality than paid alternatives for kanji study.”
Kanji Dojo’s 4.8 Play Store rating, positive user reviews, and active development contradict this assumption. The open-source model enables community feedback without the revenue pressure that sometimes compromises educational software design.
“Writing practice is only for calligraphy — recognition is enough for reading Japanese.”
Research supports both approaches depending on goals. Writing practice strengthens character memory through motor encoding in addition to visual recognition. Learners who practice writing consistently tend to retain characters more durably and make fewer reading errors under pressure.
Social Media Sentiment
Kanji Dojo is highly regarded on r/LearnJapanese and in open-source learning communities. It is frequently recommended as the top free Android option for kanji writing practice, and often cited in comparisons with paid alternatives such as WaniKani and MochiKanji. The completely free model and open-source status are consistently mentioned as major positives. The writing-focused approach draws positive feedback from learners who want to develop production ability rather than recognition alone. iOS users occasionally express disappointment that an iOS version is not yet available.
Last updated: 2026-05
Related Terms
See Also
Research
- Shuliak, Y. (n.d.). Kanji Dojo: Japanese Practice [Mobile application]. Google Play Store (`ua.syt0r.kanji`). https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ua.syt0r.kanji
Summary: Primary source for all app-specific details including developer, feature set (writing SRS, JLPT/school grade/WaniKani level organization, dictionary, open-source model), free pricing, and download and rating figures. Verified May 2026.
- Ebbinghaus, H. (1885). Über das Gedächtnis: Untersuchungen zur experimentellen Psychologie. Duncker & Humblot.
Summary: Established the forgetting curve — the observation that memory decays over time without review — which provides the theoretical foundation for Kanji Dojo’s SRS-based writing and reading review scheduling.
- Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380.
Summary: Meta-analysis confirming that spaced review substantially improves long-term retention, supporting the core SRS mechanism in Kanji Dojo that spaces character review across sessions based on performance history.