Time0:00
WPM0
Accuracy100%
Completed0
👆 Click here to start typing

Free Online Japanese Keyboard – Type Hiragana & Katakana Anywhere

Welcome to the most authentic Japanese keyboard online (日本語キーボード)! Our free virtual Kana keyboard gives you instant access to both Hiragana (ひらがな) and Katakana (カタカナ) scripts, allowing you to type Japanese from any computer, tablet, or smartphone – without installing software or configuring IME settings. Whether you're in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, or Paris, AnyKeyboard brings Japanese typing to your fingertips.

Why do millions of people need an online Japanese keyboard? Japanese is spoken by 128 million people and is one of the world's most important languages for business, technology, anime, manga, and gaming. Japanese uses three writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Most computers outside Japan don't have Japanese input configured. Our virtual keyboard provides instant access – perfect for Japanese language students, anime fans learning Japanese, business professionals, and travelers to Japan.

The Japanese writing system is unique in using two syllabaries (Kana) alongside Chinese characters (Kanji). Hiragana (ひらがな) consists of 46 basic characters used for native Japanese words, grammatical elements, and furigana (reading aids). Katakana (カタカナ) has the same 46 sounds but different symbols, used primarily for foreign loanwords (like コンピューター for 'computer'), scientific terms, emphasis, and onomatopoeia. Our keyboard follows the standard JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) layout used on all Japanese keyboards.

Perfect for every Japanese typing need: Study for JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), write messages to Japanese friends, compose Japanese emails, create subtitles for anime, practice Kana characters, translate texts, or simply explore Japanese culture. Our keyboard includes all standard Kana, small characters (ゃゅょ), voiced sounds (濁音: がざだば), semi-voiced sounds (半濁音: ぱぴぷぺぽ), and Japanese punctuation (、。・「」).

Your privacy is guaranteed – all typing happens 100% locally in your browser. Nothing is ever sent to any server. Your Japanese text stays on your device only. When you're done, copy your text with one click, save it as a file, or search directly on Google, Yahoo Japan, or YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an online Japanese keyboard and who needs one?

An online Japanese keyboard (日本語キーボード) is a virtual keyboard that lets you type Japanese Hiragana and Katakana characters without installing any software. It's essential for the 128 million Japanese speakers and millions of Japanese language learners worldwide when using computers without Japanese input support – common outside Japan. Students preparing for JLPT, anime fans, business professionals, and travelers all benefit from instant Japanese typing access.

What's the difference between Hiragana and Katakana?

Hiragana (ひらがな) and Katakana (カタカナ) represent the same 46 sounds but are used differently. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words, grammatical particles (は、を、が), verb endings, and children's books. Katakana is used for foreign loanwords (アメリカ = America), scientific terms, emphasis, onomatopoeia (ワンワン = woof woof), and company names. Both are essential – you need to know both to read Japanese!

How do I type voiced sounds like が (ga), ざ (za), だ (da)?

Voiced consonants (濁音/dakuon) are created by adding the dakuten mark (゛) to base characters: ka→ga (か→が), sa→za (さ→ざ), ta→da (た→だ), ha→ba (は→ば). On our JIS keyboard layout, these are on dedicated keys or accessed via Shift. Semi-voiced sounds (半濁音/handakuon) use the handakuten mark (゜): ha→pa (は→ぱ). The keyboard shows exactly where each character is located.

How do I type small characters like ゃ, ゅ, ょ, っ?

Small Kana (小さいかな) are used for combination sounds (きゃ kya, しゅ shu, ちょ cho) and the small tsu (っ) for doubled consonants (がっこう gakkou = school). On our keyboard, use the Shift key with the corresponding character key to type small versions. The small tsu (っ/ッ) indicates a brief pause or consonant doubling in pronunciation.

Is this Japanese keyboard really free to use?

Absolutely free! AnyKeyboard's Japanese keyboard has no hidden costs, no registration required, no ads, and no usage limits. Type as much Hiragana and Katakana as you want, access all characters including special marks, and use it whenever you need. Perfect for Japanese study sessions!

Does the Japanese keyboard work on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices?

Yes! Our Japanese keyboard is fully responsive and works perfectly on all mobile devices – iPhones, iPads, Android phones, and tablets. The touch targets are optimized for finger tapping, and the layout adapts to your screen size. Great for studying Japanese on the go!

How do I copy, save, or search my Japanese text?

After typing, click 'Copy' to copy your Japanese text to the clipboard – paste it anywhere (LINE, emails, documents). Click 'Save' to download your text as a UTF-8 .txt file. You can also click 'Google' or 'YouTube' to search your Japanese text directly. The characters will display correctly everywhere.

Is my Japanese typing private and secure?

100% private. All typing happens locally in your browser – your Japanese text is never sent to any server and never stored online. Your text exists only on your device until you close the tab. Only your theme preference and last selected layout are saved locally. Your study notes and messages remain completely private.

Can I switch between Hiragana and Katakana keyboards?

Yes! Use the Layout dropdown menu to switch between Hiragana and Katakana keyboards instantly. You can also switch to our Romaji keyboard if you prefer typing Japanese phonetically using Latin letters. AnyKeyboard supports 100+ languages, so switching between Japanese and any other language is just one click away.

Can I practice Japanese typing and measure my speed?

Yes! Click 'Speed Test' to switch to typing practice mode. You'll see Japanese sentences to type, and the system measures your speed and accuracy in real-time. It's an excellent way to memorize Kana characters and improve your Japanese typing fluency.

Why does Japanese use three writing systems?

Japanese uses Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji together because each serves different purposes. Kanji (漢字, Chinese characters) were borrowed from China over 1,500 years ago and carry meaning. Hiragana developed to write Japanese grammatical elements and words without Kanji. Katakana was created for foreign words and special uses. A typical Japanese sentence mixes all three: 私はコンピューターを使います (I use a computer) uses Kanji (私, 使), Hiragana (は, を, います), and Katakana (コンピューター).

What is the JIS keyboard layout?

JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) is the official keyboard layout used in Japan. It places Kana characters according to frequency of use and finger position. Unlike Romaji input (typing 'ka' to get か), JIS Kana input lets you type each character directly with one keystroke, which is faster once mastered. Our virtual keyboard faithfully reproduces the JIS layout.

Explore More Keyboards

Choose from 100+ languages and start typing instantly

Browse All KeyboardsTry Typing Speed Test