A good dictionary is the backbone of Japanese study. Unlike European languages where you can often guess meanings from cognates and context, Japanese requires frequent lookups — especially when you’re navigating three writing systems and thousands of kanji. The right dictionary saves time, deepens understanding, and becomes a trusted companion throughout your learning journey.
We’ve used physical dictionaries, electronic dictionaries, and app-based options extensively while living and studying in Japan. Each format has distinct advantages. Here’s our breakdown of the best Japanese dictionaries available today.
Physical Dictionaries
Best Overall Physical Dictionary: Kodansha’s Furigana Japanese-English Dictionary
Price: ~$25 | Entries: 16,000+ Publisher: Kodansha International
This dictionary does something brilliant — it adds furigana (reading guides) above every kanji entry. For learners who can read hiragana but are still building kanji recognition, this eliminates the frustrating loop of looking up a word, then needing to look up the kanji in the word you just looked up.
Entries include clear definitions, common usage examples, and grammatical information. The dictionary covers the vocabulary needed through JLPT N2, making it useful from beginner through upper intermediate levels. It’s compact enough for a backpack but comprehensive enough for serious study.
Pros:
- Furigana on all entries — no kanji barrier
- Practical vocabulary selection
- Example sentences show natural usage
- Compact and portable
- Both Japanese-English and English-Japanese sections
Cons:
- Not comprehensive enough for advanced learners
- Some entries lack nuanced usage notes
- No kanji stroke order information
Best Kanji Dictionary: The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary
Price: ~$35 | Kanji: 2,300+ (including all Joyo Kanji) Publisher: Kodansha International
If you need to look up kanji by radical, stroke count, or reading, this is the dictionary to own. The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary uses an innovative lookup system called SKIP (System of Kanji Indexing by Patterns) that lets you find any kanji in seconds based on its visual structure — no need to identify the radical first.
Each entry includes stroke order diagrams, all on-yomi and kun-yomi readings, meanings, compound words, and usage notes. The compound word listings are particularly valuable — they show you how kanji combine in real vocabulary, which deepens both kanji knowledge and vocabulary building simultaneously.
Pair this with a kanji practice notebook for a complete kanji learning system.
Pros:
- SKIP lookup system is intuitive and fast
- Comprehensive stroke order diagrams
- Excellent compound word listings
- Covers all Joyo Kanji plus extras
- Durable paperback binding
Cons:
- Heavy for its size
- SKIP system has a learning curve
- No example sentences for compounds
Best Comprehensive Dictionary: Kenkyusha’s New Japanese-English Dictionary
Price: ~$90 | Entries: 480,000+ Publisher: Kenkyusha
This is the dictionary for serious learners and professionals. Kenkyusha’s is the most comprehensive Japanese-English dictionary ever published, with nearly half a million entries covering everything from classical Japanese to modern slang, technical terminology to literary expressions. Professional translators consider it indispensable.
For most learners, this dictionary is overkill — but if you’re pursuing Japanese as a career, studying Japanese literature, or working in translation, no other dictionary comes close. The definitions are precise, the example sentences are drawn from real literature and media, and the usage notes distinguish between similar words with nuance that simpler dictionaries miss.
Pros:
- Unmatched comprehensiveness (480,000+ entries)
- Professional-grade definitions and usage notes
- Covers classical and modern Japanese
- Extensive example sentences from real sources
- The gold standard for Japanese-English dictionaries
Cons:
- Expensive (~$90)
- Massive and heavy — not portable
- Overwhelming for beginners
- Print size is small
Electronic Dictionaries (Denshi Jisho)
Best Electronic Dictionary: Casio EX-word XD-SX Series
Price: ~$300-450 | Dictionaries included: 200+ Brand: Casio
Electronic dictionaries — denshi jisho — are ubiquitous among students in Japan. The Casio EX-word series is the market leader, and for good reason. These devices pack dozens of major Japanese dictionaries, English-Japanese dictionaries, kanji dictionaries, and even encyclopedia content into a portable, instant-lookup device.
The key advantage over apps is speed and depth. You can handwrite a kanji on the touchpad for instant recognition, jump between dictionaries with one tap, and access multiple definitions from different sources simultaneously. For intensive study sessions, nothing matches the efficiency.
The downside is the price — and the fact that smartphone apps have closed the gap significantly. If you’re studying in Japan and have the budget, a Casio EX-word is a worthwhile investment. If you’re studying casually or have a tight budget, apps will serve you well.
Pros:
- Instant kanji lookup via handwriting
- 200+ dictionaries in one device
- No internet connection needed
- Purpose-built for study (no distracting notifications)
- Standard tool in Japanese schools
Cons:
- Expensive ($300-450)
- Interface is entirely in Japanese (immersive but intimidating)
- Models change yearly
- Smartphone apps have mostly caught up
App-Based Dictionaries
Best Free Dictionary App: Jisho.org
Price: Free | Platform: Web (mobile-friendly)
Jisho.org is not an app — it’s a web-based dictionary — but it functions so well on mobile browsers that it effectively replaces an app for many learners. The interface is clean, lookups are fast, and you can search in English, romaji, hiragana, katakana, or kanji.
Each entry shows JLPT level, common/uncommon status, multiple definitions, and example sentences from the Tatoeba project. The kanji details page shows stroke order animations, radicals, readings, and difficulty level. It’s completely free and requires no account.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Clean, fast interface
- JLPT level tagging
- Stroke order animations for kanji
- Works on any device with a browser
Cons:
- Requires internet connection
- Example sentences vary in quality
- No offline mode
- Less comprehensive than dedicated dictionaries for advanced lookups
Best Paid Dictionary App: Takoboto (Android) / Midori (iOS)
Price: ~$10 | Platform: Android (Takoboto) / iOS (Midori)
For a dedicated offline dictionary app, Takoboto (Android) and Midori (iOS) are our top picks in their respective ecosystems. Both offer offline functionality, clean interfaces, and JLPT-organized vocabulary lists.
Midori on iOS is particularly polished, with handwriting recognition, flashcard functionality, and a beautiful reading interface. Takoboto on Android offers excellent search speed, customizable flashcard decks, and integration with external apps.
Pros:
- Full offline functionality
- Fast, native app performance
- Handwriting recognition
- Built-in flashcard features
- One-time purchase (no subscription)
Cons:
- Platform-specific (no cross-platform option)
- Smaller databases than Jisho.org
- Updates can be infrequent
How to Choose the Right Dictionary
For Beginners (JLPT N5-N4)
Start with Jisho.org (free) and the Kodansha Furigana Dictionary (physical backup). At this stage, you need furigana support and simple definitions. A physical dictionary also helps you practice looking up words systematically, which builds kanji awareness.
For Intermediate Learners (JLPT N3-N2)
Add the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary for serious kanji study, and consider Midori or Takoboto for fast mobile lookups. At this level, you’ll encounter kanji in the wild frequently and need quick, reliable lookup tools.
For Advanced Learners (JLPT N1+)
The Kenkyusha dictionary becomes essential for nuanced definitions. If you’re studying in Japan, a Casio EX-word is worth the investment. At this level, monolingual Japanese dictionaries (like Daijirin or Daijisen, included in the Casio) become your primary reference.
Using Your Dictionary Effectively
Don’t Just Look Up — Write Down
Every word you look up should go into a vocabulary notebook. Use a Kokuyo Campus notebook to maintain organized vocabulary lists, grouped by theme or lesson. Writing the word by hand reinforces memory far more than passive reading.
Look Up Compound Words, Not Individual Kanji
When you encounter an unfamiliar word like 図書館 (toshokan, library), look up the full word first — not the individual kanji. The compound word meaning is often different from the sum of its parts, and knowing the compound word is more practically useful than knowing each kanji’s independent meaning.
Use Multiple Dictionaries
No single dictionary is perfect. Cross-reference between Jisho.org, your physical dictionary, and context-based resources. Different dictionaries emphasize different aspects — one might have better example sentences, another might explain nuance more clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a physical dictionary or is an app enough?
For most learners, apps are sufficient for daily lookups. However, a physical kanji dictionary (like the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary) offers advantages for systematic kanji study that apps don’t replicate well. We recommend starting with Jisho.org and adding a physical dictionary when you reach the intermediate level.
Is it worth buying a Casio electronic dictionary?
If you’re studying in Japan, attending a language school, or studying intensively, yes — the speed and depth are genuinely valuable. For casual self-studiers, smartphone apps cover 90% of the same functionality at a fraction of the cost.
Should I use a monolingual (Japanese-Japanese) dictionary?
Not until you reach at least JLPT N2 level. Monolingual dictionaries are valuable for developing Japanese thinking patterns and understanding nuance, but they require enough Japanese ability to understand the definitions themselves. Start with bilingual dictionaries and transition to monolingual as your reading improves.
How many words should I look up per day?
Focus on quality over quantity. Looking up 5-10 words per study session and properly recording them in your vocabulary notebook is more effective than looking up 50 words and forgetting them all. Pair lookups with flashcard review for long-term retention.
What’s the best way to look up kanji I don’t know?
Use handwriting recognition (available in most apps and electronic dictionaries), radical lookup (identify the radical and count remaining strokes), or the SKIP system in the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary. Handwriting recognition is fastest; radical lookup builds deeper kanji structural awareness.