A small forest of thoughtful apps
kotomori is a free learning platform built around language, creativity, and the quiet joy of getting better at something. All core features across all apps are free to use.
Our philosophy
kotomori (言葉が育つ — "words that grow") started with a simple idea: the best learning tools are the ones you actually use. Not because they're addictive or clever, but because they fit into real life without demanding too much of it.
We're not building one giant everything-app. Instead, we're making a collection of small tools that each do one thing well. ShadowFlow for pronunciation through YouTube. UgoKaki for bringing children's drawings alive. Nazori for tracing hiragana the right way. Memoria for a private AI that actually remembers you. Daily English Article for one authentic article each morning.
It's fine to use only one. It's fine to skip days. We just want the right tool to be within reach when you actually need it.
Our apps
- Critter Collection
Find them, collect them, become a nature expert
Web · iOS - ShadowFlow
language in every video
Web · iOS - UgoKaki
drawings, alive
Web · iOS - Nazori
tracing, patiently
Web · iOS · iPad - LiveCap
captions for what you hear
macOS · iOS - Daily English Article
one article, every day
iOS · Web - Memoria - Local AI
your AI, your memory, on your own devices
macOS · iOS
Who makes kotomori
kotomori is built by Daichi, an indie developer based in Japan. Before building apps, Daichi was thinking about the same problems all language learners face: how to practice speaking when you live somewhere with no native speakers, how to keep kids interested in writing, how to get real language practice without expensive tutors or subscriptions.
The apps in kotomori are tools Daichi wanted to exist. They're built to last — no venture funding, no growth targets, no artificial subscription gates on features that should be free.
Frequently asked questions
- Is kotomori free?
- Yes. All core features across all kotomori apps are free to use. Some apps offer optional premium content (like additional kanji packs in Nazori) for a one-time fee, but the core functionality is always free.
- Does kotomori share my data?
- kotomori uses Supabase for authentication and progress sync across devices. Memoria is the only app that runs 100% on-device with zero data sent to any server — your AI conversations stay entirely on your Mac or iPhone.
- Which devices does kotomori support?
- Most apps work on both iPhone and the web. Nazori, Daily English Article, ShadowFlow, and UgoKaki each have an iPhone app and a web version. Memoria and LiveCap run on Mac and iPhone. Critter Collection is available on the web today, with an iPhone app on the way.
- Which kotomori app should I start with?
- For Japanese writing practice, try Nazori. For English reading, Daily English Article. For pronunciation, ShadowFlow. For a private AI assistant, Memoria. For live captions of what you hear, LiveCap. To bring a child's drawing to life, UgoKaki — and for exploring nature together, Critter Collection.
- Is kotomori available in multiple languages?
- Yes. kotomori.app is available in seven languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, French, and German. The apps themselves currently support English, Japanese, and Spanish, with more languages being added over time.