OJAD
Japanese accent lookup and predicted sentence pitch contours from a free University of Tokyo reference.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedFreeModerateDictionaryWeb
Japanese pronunciation and pitch-accent resources by job
Use OJAD to look up accent, kotu.io to train your ear, and Speechling to record for a coach. Beginners should look up before they drill.
The best Japanese pronunciation resource depends on the job. OJAD fits learners who need accent lookup, kotu.io fits learners ready for ear training, and Speechling fits learners who need a person to comment on a recording. The main limit is timing: advanced drills and paid coaching do little if slow Japanese is not yet understandable. Look up one word, copy its recording, and add a drill or coach only when you can name the missing skill.
This page does not rank a single best pronunciation product. It maps four workflows that already have maintained profiles.
Beginners should look up and repeat before they take a test or a Patreon course. If slow Japanese audio is still noise, stay on the beginner listening shortlist.
Short answer by pronunciation job
| Pronunciation job | Start here | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Look up the accent of a word, conjugation, or pasted sentence | OJAD | A reference; Text Search and Suzuki-kun are predicted |
| Train your ear on pitch contrasts | kotu.io | Tests, not a coach; a poor first listen from zero |
| Record Japanese and get a later human comment | Speechling | Free coaching is capped; not an accent dictionary |
| Watch explained phonetics lessons | Dogen | Comedy YouTube is free; pitch lessons live on Patreon |
Most learners need lookup plus one practice loop. They do not need all four.
OJAD when you need to look it up
OJAD is the University of Tokyo’s Online Japanese Accent Dictionary. Word Search covers textbook vocabulary and conjugated forms, with speech samples you can play. Suzuki-kun displays a predicted pitch contour for a sentence you enter.
Use it when a Genki or Minna word still sounds flat in your mouth and you need the pattern. Do not treat Suzuki-kun as a recording of one speaker in one situation. The official page says it cannot handle surprise intonation, and Text Search is not 100% accurate.
OJAD will not hear you. Stop here if the only missing piece was “what is the accent of this word?”
kotu.io when the job is hearing the contrast
kotu.io is a broader Japanese toolkit. The pronunciation job is its pitch-accent test list: perception, recall, repetition, and production, including easy minimal pairs.
Use it after you can already follow slow speech. If every pair is noise, you are in the wrong lane. Come back after more input.
kotu.io is not a human coach. It is also not OJAD. Do not skip lookup because a test exists.
Speechling when you need a person on a recording
Speechling is a nonprofit recording platform. You listen to a native sentence, record yourself, compare the two, and can send the audio to a pronunciation coach. Japanese is a listed language. The current App Store and Google Play listings say coach feedback arrives within 24 hours.
The pricing page, checked 1 Sep 2026, lists up to 10 free coaching sessions per month except English, French, Chinese, and German. Japanese is not in that exception list. Unlimited plans are listed from $19.99 a month. The mission page also describes around 15 to 30 minutes of free coaching per month. Confirm the live cap before you depend on it.
This is record-and-submit pronunciation practice with later feedback. It is not a live italki lesson, and it will not show a textbook accent kernel.
Dogen when you want an explained lesson
Dogen is comedy YouTube plus paid phonetics and pitch-accent lessons on Patreon. Use it if you will watch one skit, then open one lesson. Do not treat the channel as a free accent dictionary.
If you only needed contrast drills, kotu.io is narrower. If you only needed lookup, OJAD is the reference.
A beginner limit worth keeping
If pitch study crowds out your main course and input, keep it smaller: look up words you already study, and repeat after audio you understand. Add kotu.io tests when you can tell some pairs apart. Add Speechling when you will actually record. Add Dogen when a lesson, not a clip, is the habit.
A dictionary with a pitch field, such as the lookup options on the dictionary shortlist, can answer a single word. It does not replace OJAD’s conjugated-form search or Suzuki-kun.
Speaking appointments stay on the speaking hub. This page is for accent, ear, and recorded coaching.
Resources in this shortlist
kotu.io
Pitch-accent tests plus search, flashcards, and media tools for Japanese study.
IntermediateFreeModerateListeningWeb
Speechling
Record Japanese, compare with a native speaker, and send audio to a pronunciation coach.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasySpeakingWeb, iPhone, Android
Dogen
Comedy-and-phonetics YouTube. Pitch-accent lessons live on Patreon.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasySpeakingYouTube, Web
No resources match that search or filter. Clear the query or try a broader category.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to study Japanese pitch accent?
Look the word up in OJAD, then train your ear with kotu.io tests if you can already hear mora timing. Add Speechling when you need a person to comment on a recording. Check the course format and stated prerequisites before choosing paid lessons.
Should a beginner study pitch accent?
A beginner can look up textbook words in OJAD and shadow a native recording. Minimal-pair tests and paid phonetics courses wait until slow speech is already understandable.
Is Speechling a pitch-accent dictionary?
No. Speechling is recording plus a pronunciation coach. OJAD is the accent dictionary. kotu.io is the ear-training test list.
Evidence and sources
- OJAD 4-feature introduction official docs · Official Word Search, Verb Suffix Search, Text Search, and Suzuki-kun descriptions.
- OJAD Before using official docs · Official educational purpose and professional voice-actor audio samples.
- kotu.io tests official product · Official Japanese pitch-accent perception, recall, repetition, and production tests.
- kotu.io homepage official product · Official toolkit description covering search, flashcards, media tools, and tests.
- Speechling pricing official pricing · Official free coaching cap and unlimited plans from $19.99 a month.
- Speechling App Store listing official app store · Official Japanese language listing and coach feedback within 24 hours.
- Dogen on YouTube official product · Official channel used for the Japanese-teacher framing and the Patreon pronunciation link.
- Dogen on Patreon official pricing · Official paid Japanese phonetics and pitch-accent lessons.
Related
DogenComedy-and-phonetics YouTube. Pitch-accent lessons live on Patreon.kotu.ioPitch-accent tests plus search, flashcards, and media tools for Japanese study.OJADJapanese accent lookup and predicted sentence pitch contours from a free University of Tokyo reference.SpeechlingRecord Japanese, compare with a native speaker, and send audio to a pronunciation coach.Japanese speaking resourcesSpeaking resources are people systems. Quality depends on the match, not the logo.Japanese resources for advanced learnersBuild range and precision with native material, a useful reference, a small review routine, and feedback on the Japanese you use.