japanize-matplotlib
matplotlibのフォント設定を自動で日本語化する
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to display Japanese text in matplotlib plots and want to avoid manual font configuration. The permissive MIT License and zero runtime dependencies make installation straightforward. However, the package is dormant (last release 2020-10-21) and may have compatibility issues with recent matplotlib versions—test it in your environment first. Be aware of import-order gotchas with other font-setting libraries.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Font configuration may be overwritten by other libraries; japanize_matplotlib must be imported after matplotlib but before other font-setting calls, or japanize_matplotlib.japanize() must be called after those overrides.
- High install friction due to bundled font assets.
- Package is dormant—last release was 2020-10-21, though the repository remains active with occasional commits.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT License (permissive) — MIT License permits free use, modification, and distribution. Package bundles IPAexGothic font (Ver.003.01) under IPA Font License v1.0; users must accept that license separately when installing.
last release 2020-10-21 (2123 days) · last repo commit 2024-04-30 · 203 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 309,808 downloads/mo, #7,751 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install japanize-matplotlib
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import japanize_matplotlib
plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])
plt.xlabel('簡単なグラフ')
plt.show()- Whether the package works with current matplotlib versions (last released 2020-10-21)
- Compatibility with modern Python versions (requires_python field is empty)
- Whether bundled IPA font is properly installed on all platforms
What it is and what it does
japanize-matplotlib is a thin wrapper that configures matplotlib to render Japanese text by setting the default font to IPAexGothic. It works by importing a module that patches matplotlib's font configuration on load, eliminating the need to manually set font properties in every script.
The package bundles the IPAexGothic font (Ver.003.01) and applies it globally to matplotlib. It has no runtime dependencies beyond matplotlib itself, but its effectiveness depends on import order—other libraries that reconfigure matplotlib's fonts can override its settings, requiring either explicit re-japanization via japanize_matplotlib.japanize() or careful import sequencing.
Use it for
- Creating matplotlib plots with Japanese axis labels, titles, and annotations without manual font configuration.
- Data visualization in Japanese-language notebooks or scripts where matplotlib is the primary plotting library.
- Automating font setup in Jupyter notebooks or data analysis pipelines to avoid repetitive font-setting boilerplate.
- Prototyping visualizations quickly without researching or configuring CJK font support in matplotlib.
- Ensuring consistent Japanese rendering across multiple plots in a single analysis workflow.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to display Japanese text in matplotlib plots and want to avoid manual font configuration.
The permissive MIT License and zero runtime dependencies make installation straightforward. However, the package is dormant (last release 2020-10-21) and may have compatibility issues with recent matplotlib versions—test it in your environment first. Be aware of import-order gotchas with other font-setting libraries.
Install
japanize-matplotlib on PyPI
Before you install
High install friction due to bundled font assets. Package is dormant—last release was 2020-10-21, though the repository remains active with occasional commits. No runtime dependencies, but font configuration may conflict with other matplotlib font settings.
Font configuration may be overwritten by other libraries; japanize_matplotlib must be imported after matplotlib but before other font-setting calls, or japanize_matplotlib.japanize() must be called after those overrides.
License in practice
MIT License permits free use, modification, and distribution. Package bundles IPAexGothic font (Ver.003.01) under IPA Font License v1.0; users must accept that license separately when installing.
Quickstart
pip install japanize-matplotlib
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import japanize_matplotlib
plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])
plt.xlabel('簡単なグラフ')
plt.show()Verify before relying
- Whether the package works with current matplotlib versions (last released 2020-10-21)
- Compatibility with modern Python versions (requires_python field is empty)
- Whether bundled IPA font is properly installed on all platforms
Package facts
| License | MIT License permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | High. Source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 2,123 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 309,808 / month, #7,751 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
Evidence: japanize-matplotlib-1.1.3.tar.gz
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