If you don't see your question below, email help@shinobi-japanese.com and we'll get back to you.
What is Shinobi Japanese?
Shinobi Japanese is a Japanese learning app that teaches through short, level-appropriate illustrated stories. Instead of drilling isolated flashcards, you read real sentences with furigana, tap any word to see its meaning, and review what you have seen with a spaced-repetition system (SRS) tuned to how you actually performed.
Which levels are covered?
From Starter (pre-N5) through JLPT N2, from roughly 100 kanji up to 1,500+. Each level has its own library of stories, written and reviewed by native speakers, with gradually increasing grammar and vocabulary.
How does the spaced-repetition system (SRS) work?
Every word and sentence you encounter is scheduled for future review. Cards you recall easily are shown less often; cards you struggle with come back sooner. Reviews sync across your devices, so you can study on your phone in the morning and pick up where you left off on another device later.
Does Shinobi Japanese work offline?
Yes. Once a story is downloaded, you can read and review it without an internet connection. Progress syncs the next time you go online.
Is Shinobi Japanese free?
Yes, you can use Shinobi Japanese 100% for free. The core learning experience (all JLPT levels, SRS reviews, furigana, tap-to-translate) is available at no cost. An optional premium subscription unlocks unlimited story reading if you want to read more than the free daily allowance, but it is never required to learn with Shinobi.
What does the premium subscription add?
Premium is purely optional and focused on unlimited story reading. Read as many stories per day as you want, across all JLPT levels, plus offline downloads of entire story packs. Everything else stays free forever.
How much does premium cost?
Pricing is shown in the app before you subscribe, in your local currency. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period. You are free to keep using Shinobi for free indefinitely.
How do I cancel my subscription?
On iPhone or iPad: open Settings → tap your name → Subscriptions → Shinobi Japanese → Cancel. On Android: open the Google Play Store → Menu → Subscriptions → Shinobi Japanese → Cancel. Canceling takes effect at the end of the current billing period. Deleting the app does not cancel the subscription.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds are handled by Apple or Google under their respective policies. On iOS, go to reportaproblem.apple.com. On Android, use the Google Play order history. If you need help, email help@shinobi-japanese.com and we will do our best to assist.
Will my progress sync across devices?
Yes, when you are signed in, your learning history, bookmarks, and SRS schedule sync across all of your devices.
How do I delete my account and data?
Open Settings → Account → Delete Account inside the app, or email help@shinobi-japanese.com from the address associated with your account. Deletion removes your personal information from our active systems; residual copies in backups are purged within 30 days.
Does Shinobi Japanese show furigana and romaji?
Yes. Every kanji can be shown with furigana, and a romaji toggle is available for absolute beginners. As you progress, you can dial these supports down to build real reading confidence.
Is Shinobi Japanese suitable for children?
The Service is not directed to children under 13. Users between 13 and the age of majority should have a parent or guardian review and agree to our Terms. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Who is behind Shinobi Japanese?
Shinobi Japanese is built by Shinobi LLC. All stories and the full JLPT curriculum are written by Yuri, a native Japanese teacher. We are a small team of language learners and engineers who believe in comprehensible input and daily short-session practice.
I still have a question, how do I reach you?
Email help@shinobi-japanese.com. A real human will reply, typically within one business day.