Yokoso

What Yokoso does

Yokoso is a free Japanese-language learning application delivered through an iOS native app and an offline-capable progressive web app, built and maintained by a single developer based in Aomori, Japan. The product targets people living in or moving to Japan who need practical, real-world Japanese — konbini transactions, train navigation, restaurant ordering, clinic and apartment interactions — alongside JLPT candidates who want honest coverage-versus-readiness tracking from N5 through N3. Core technology is a spaced repetition system tuned to a measured retention target, with adaptive probing that discovers existing knowledge and skips mastered content, leech detection for persistent mistakes, confusable-answer contrast lessons, and an Errand Runs feature that embeds due reviews inside contextual stories of a typical day in Japan. Read-only API imports from WaniKani (active, daily re-sync) and Bunpro (paused due to API removal) carry users' pre-existing kanji, vocabulary, and grammar progress into Yokoso, eliminating restart friction. Content modules cover Japanese signs nationwide, numbers/prices with irregular readings, register scripts, and JLPT-aligned material.

The business model is freemium with the learning product permanently free — no ads, no streaks, no locked content, and no premium tier — and revenue, if any, derives from optional supporter contributions processed via Stripe on the web and Apple on iOS, which unlock nothing. Go-to-market is product-led growth with no signup required to begin, supported by organic content marketing on yokosoapp.com (signs, numbers, JLPT explainer, 30-day moving checklist) and presence on iOS App Store, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The company is private and bootstrapped, with no institutional funding, no parent company, and no disclosed revenue, customer counts, or headcount beyond the single founder-developer.

Name

Yokoso

Website

https://yokosoapp.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Yokoso is a free iOS and web app that teaches practical, real-world Japanese to people living in or moving to Japan using adaptive spaced repetition, JLPT tracking, and import integrations with WaniKani and Bunpro.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Learning Software

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Educational Support Services (611710)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Language Learning Platforms (Self-Paced) (EDAMAFAC)

Keywords

• Japanese language learning
• Spaced repetition system
• Jlpt preparation
• Language learning app
• Mobile education software

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Core Learning (Free): All learning features permanently free with no ads, streaks, or locked content. Revenue model based on optional supporter contributions that unlock nothing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Yokoso is a free Japanese-language learning app (iOS native + offline-capable web PWA) built for people living in or moving to Japan. It teaches practical, real-world Japanese — kana, numbers, prices, register scripts, signs, survival phrases, and JLPT-relevant vocabulary/kanji/grammar — through an adaptive spaced-repetition system that probes existing knowledge, schedules reviews toward a measured retention target, and tracks JLPT coverage and readiness as separate numbers.

Product overview

Yokoso is a single free Japanese-learning app built for people living in Japan, not a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core product is the Yokoso App itself, which includes adaptive spaced repetition, JLPT tracking (N5 through N1), and real-world material. Companion imports for WaniKani (kanji/vocabulary) and Bunpro (grammar) allow users to carry existing progress. Content-specific modules cover Japanese signs, numbers/prices, and JLPT levels (N5, N4, with N3 in progress). Errand Runs and the 30-day checklist are features within the app rather than separate products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Yokoso App A free Japanese learning application available as an iPhone app and offline-capable web PWA. Uses adaptive spaced repetition tuned to a measured retention target, adaptive knowledge probing (no placement test), real-world content (signs, prices, register scripts), honest JLPT coverage vs readiness tracking, and supports optional WaniKani and Bunpro progress import. Targeted at individuals living in or moving to Japan and JLPT candidates.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• WaniKanicoreTechnology or IntegrationRead-only API integration allows users to import kanji and vocabulary progress from WaniKani. Review schedules are mapped from WaniKani SRS stages. Progress re-syncs daily so continued WaniKani study keeps flowing into Yokoso. Token goes directly from device to WaniKani API.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yokosoapp
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yokosoapp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yokoso