Can you read the sentence written above? You should be able to; it’s written in English.
When I first started learning Japanese, the Chinese characters and syllabic scripts that were scrawled across my textbooks looked like some kind of crazy code that only aliens could understand. After years of studying, many of the previously cryptic symbols have become familiar, readable letters. However, now even English can be turned into a jumble of alien ciphers thanks to these 10 +1 fonts inspired by Japanese characters.
1. TokyoSoft
This font is modeled after katakana, one of the Japanese syllabic alphabets, and is the font we used above. This is probably the most confusing font for Japanese people to read because actual Japanese characters represent most of the roman letters.
2. Kaneiwa
Japanese Ming-style typeface was the inspiration for this font.
3. Lightmorning
This one was also inspired by Ming-style typeface, but it’s a little easier for English-speakers to decipher. The serifs (lines extending and trailing off of the letters), a major characteristic of Ming-style writing, are very exaggerated.
4. Pray for Japan
This font closely resembles hiragana, one of the two Japanese syllabries.
5. Digital Ninja
With pointed edges and an “x” that looks like a shuriken ninja star, this unique font was created with ninjas in mind.
6. GoJuOn
GoJuOn means “50 sounds” that represent the Japanese syllabary. It’s unclear why the creator of this font chose the kanji used in GoJuOn, but there are many creepy kanji. For example, the kanji for “blood,” “ferocious,” and “pain” are used to represent English letters.
7. Akihibara hyper
The title is misspelled, but Akihabara, the nerd capital of Japan, was the inspiration for this font. It looks more like the Hebrew alphabet than Japanese characters.
8. Origami
This font contains folded lines, much like the shapes of folded paper origami creations.
9. Emperor of Japan
This font has a cute and friendly style… Is the Emperor of Japan cute and friendly?
10. Fat Sushi
With a name like “Fat Sushi,” you’d expect pudgy, bold letters, but this font has a powerful, sharp design.
+1 Kinishinai
This font isn’t quite Japanese-style, but the title is great. “Kinishinai” means “don’t worry about it” in Japanese. There were tons of strange fonts in this post, but “don’t worry about it”, you can download them all for free off of the WebCreatorBox website (Japanese only).
Source: WebCreatorBox
*Welcome to RocketNews! Bringing you yesterday’s news from Japan and Asia, today.












Clever font sneaks pronunciation guide for English speakers into Japanese katakana characters
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
Nissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Starbucks Japan’s rarest Frappuccino can only be purchased at 15 stores around the country
Naomi Watanabe is moving to the U.S., switching base of operations to outside Japan
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says