Nazoru review
A focused Japanese writing app with tracing, study paths, and service sync.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Nazoru is a Japanese handwriting-practice app for learners working on hiragana, katakana, kanji, words, and phrases. Its guided tracing reduces assistance over time, moving practice toward writing from memory. Learners can choose built-in paths based on JLPT levels, school grades, frequency, or Heisig, while progress features include memory-strength indicators and fading-kanji review. Practice is available on iOS, macOS, and Android, with offline support for studying without a connection.
The pricing structure is straightforward. The Free plan costs $0 forever and includes two full practices per day, no ads or tracking, and synchronization with WaniKani, Bunpro, and MaruMori. Unlimited costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year, adding unlimited practices and similar-kanji drills while retaining everything in Free. The app also supports Anki synchronization, plus optional Google Drive or iCloud backup and sync. Prices can vary slightly by region and are charged through the App Store or Google Play.
Nazoru is most suitable for learners who want handwriting practice connected to an existing Japanese study routine. Similar-kanji and confusable-character drills address characters that can be difficult to distinguish, while multiple study paths support different learning goals. The main trade-off is scope: this is a focused writing-practice tool rather than a broad Japanese course. Learners who need more than two full practices per day will need Unlimited, and those relying on study tools outside the selected integrations may not get the same connected workflow. Choose Nazoru for structured kana and kanji writing practice with offline access and study-service sync; choose an alternative if handwriting is only a minor part of your learning plan.
Nazoru pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Guided tracing gradually reduces assistance toward writing from memory
- Study paths cover JLPT, grades, frequency, and Heisig
- Syncs with WaniKani, Bunpro, MaruMori, Anki, Google Drive, and iCloud
- Where it doesn't
- The Free plan allows two full practices per day
- Similar-kanji drills require a paid Unlimited plan
- Study-service synchronization is limited to selected integrations
Nazoru fact sheet, pricing and score →
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