PlaceNameDex turns Japan's hardest place-name readings into a friendly daily quiz and a 47-prefecture collection.
Japan is full of place names that look familiar but read in unexpected ways. PlaceNameDex curates these tricky readings — from city districts to small mountain villages — and lets you discover, test, and track them at your own pace.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Take quick, multiple-choice quizzes covering tricky readings from across Japan.
- Browse a Pokédex-style catalog of place names, organized by prefecture.
- Track your progress across all 47 prefectures with a heatmap of mastery.
- Review reading notes that explain the etymology behind each tricky name.
- Watch your streak grow as you keep returning each day.
DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE
- Locals who want to brush up on hard-to-read corners of their own country.
- Travelers planning a trip and learning local names along the way.
- Japanese learners who have moved past the basics and want a fun next step.
- Trivia fans who enjoy the satisfying feel of collecting and mastering data.
PRIVACY-FIRST DESIGN
Your progress is stored locally on your device. Optional Google Drive sync lets you back up across devices on your own terms. No accounts. No ads. No tracking.
FULLY LOCALIZED
Available in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, and Arabic.
Discover the readings behind the places. Build your dex.
Quiz the readings of tricky Japanese place names. Build your 47-prefecture dex.