Yomaru review
A mobile Japanese study app for JLPT vocabulary, kanji writing, and leveled reading.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Yomaru is a Japanese-learning app for iPhone and Android, suited to mobile learners focused on vocabulary, kanji, and reading. Its guided path begins with kana and continues through JLPT N5 to N1. Lessons connect kanji with related vocabulary and sentences, while writing practice and spaced reviews support study along the way. The app also offers curated articles and stories tagged by JLPT level, giving learners reading material alongside structured lessons.
Reading tools extend beyond the curated library: learners can open websites, paste text, or use photos of Japanese text. Yomaru provides furigana, word lookup, and sentence translation for this material, and photo recognition can turn unfamiliar words into lessons. Lessons, writing practice, and reviews are available offline, but browsing articles and websites requires an internet connection. That makes the app a fit for study sessions centered on saved lessons and reviews, while online reading depends on connectivity.
Yomaru uses a freemium model. The Free plan includes learning and reading features and displays ads; the optional Remove Ads plan removes them. It is a focused choice for solo learners who want JLPT-oriented vocabulary, kanji writing, and reading tools on mobile, including offline study. Learners looking for speaking practice should choose another option, since Yomaru does not include it. Those who want reading material accessible without an internet connection should also note that only lessons, writing practice, and reviews work offline; article and website browsing does not.
Yomaru pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Guided lessons progress from kana and JLPT N5 through N1
- Offline lessons, kanji writing practice, and spaced reviews
- Read articles, websites, pasted text, and photo-recognized Japanese
- Where it doesn't
- No speaking practice
- Browsing articles and websites requires an internet connection
- The free plan shows ads
Yomaru fact sheet, pricing and score →
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