Best Text Editors for Ubuntu (2025): Setup Guide & Japanese Input Fixes

By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)

※記事内に広告を含みます。Amazonアソシエイトとして適格販売により収入を得ています。　

1. Introduction

Choosing a Text Editor on Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions, favored by both beginners and advanced users. It features a user-friendly desktop environment and a rich selection of software. Among the many tools available, your choice of text editor can significantly affect your workflow efficiency.

Whether you’re jotting down notes, writing code, or editing system configuration files, handling text is a common task in Ubuntu. Choosing an editor that fits your needs can drastically improve productivity and reduce frustration.

Common Issues with Japanese Input on Ubuntu

One major issue many users face when using text editors on Ubuntu is related to Japanese input.
Problems like duplicated characters, unresponsive input mode switching, or complete lack of Japanese support in certain editors are much more frequent in Linux environments compared to Windows or macOS.

These issues stem from how Ubuntu handles Japanese input through Input Methods (IM). Compatibility between your IM settings and the editor itself can often lead to unexpected problems.

Purpose of This Article and What You’ll Gain

This article aims to provide clear guidance for Ubuntu users on the following topics:

• Recommended text editors for different use cases
• Key features, pros, and cons of each editor
• How to set up Japanese input on Ubuntu
• Common Japanese input issues and how to fix them
• Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ)

This article is especially helpful for users struggling with issues like “I can’t input Japanese properly” or “I don’t know which editor to use.”

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced user looking to optimize your development or writing environment, this guide is here to help.

2. Choosing the Right Text Editor for Beginners

What Is a Text Editor? Its Role in Ubuntu

A text editor is software used to create and modify plain text files. In Ubuntu and other Linux environments, text editors are essential tools for editing configuration files, writing code, taking notes, and more.

You can think of them as Linux equivalents to Windows’ “Notepad” or macOS’s “TextEdit.” However, one major difference is that Ubuntu offers a wide range of editors to choose from, depending on your use case and skill level.

GUI Editors vs. CLI Editors

Text editors in Ubuntu fall into two main categories: GUI editors and CLI editors.

• GUI (Graphical User Interface) Editors
  These editors have graphical interfaces and can be operated using a mouse. They’re intuitive and beginner-friendly. Examples include GNOME Text Editor and Visual Studio Code.
• CLI (Command Line Interface) Editors
  These run inside the terminal (black screen) and are controlled entirely by the keyboard. Examples include Vim and nano. They’re lightweight and fast, but may have a steeper learning curve.

The best choice depends on your workflow and comfort with the command line.

Text Editors vs. Code Editors

Some text editors are designed specifically for coding and are often referred to as “code editors.” Here’s how they differ:

For simple editing tasks or config tweaks, lightweight text editors are ideal. For development work, feature-rich code editors offer better efficiency.

Quick Comparison: Editors by Use Case

The table below compares popular Ubuntu editors based on use case and Japanese language support.

Use this chart to pick an editor that fits your goals and experience level—it can make your Ubuntu experience much smoother.

3. Top 7 Recommended Text Editors for Ubuntu (By Use Case)

3-1. GNOME Text Editor (formerly gedit)

A simple and reliable editor perfect for beginners and everyday tasks

This is Ubuntu’s default GUI text editor, previously known as “gedit.” It’s intuitive, lightweight, and highly stable.

• Key Features
• Simple interface with fast performance
• Supports plugin-based feature expansion
• Tabbed editing is supported
• About Japanese Input
  In most cases, Japanese input works fine. However, in certain versions or IM setups, you might experience duplicate character input. If that happens, reverting to the older “gedit” may help.

3-2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

A powerful, feature-rich editor favored by developers

Microsoft’s free and extensible code editor supports a wide range of programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, and more.

• Key Features
• IntelliSense for smart code completion
• Built-in Git integration, terminal, and more
• Supports Japanese through language packs
• Installation on Ubuntu
  Easy to install via Snap or deb package, and it launches relatively fast.
• Japanese Input Notes
  There may be issues with IBus + Mozc; using Fcitx instead often improves stability.

3-3. nano

A lightweight terminal-based editor that’s easy to use

This CLI-based editor is often pre-installed on Ubuntu and is ideal for simple tasks like editing configuration files.

• Key Features
• Intuitive keyboard shortcuts (shown at the bottom of the screen)
• Usually pre-installed on most Ubuntu systems
• Easy to save files and exit
• About Japanese Input
  Japanese can be entered, but display issues and misaligned line breaks may occur. Using a UTF-8 terminal with Japanese font support helps.

3-4. Vim

A powerful CLI editor focused on keyboard efficiency

Vim is an advanced version of “vi” and is widely used by experienced Linux users. Once you master it, your productivity can skyrocket.

• Key Features
• Extremely fast startup, highly customizable
• Automation through macros and scripting
• Can resemble a GUI via plugins
• Notes for Japanese Input
  By configuring UTF-8 in your .vimrc file and using a terminal that supports Japanese fonts, Vim works well. Still, some odd behavior during conversion may require fine-tuning.

3-5. Emacs

A versatile editor known for advanced customization

Alongside Vim, Emacs is one of the two major CLI editors in the Linux world. While it has a steep learning curve, it can act as a near full-featured IDE once mastered.

• Key Features
• Extensible using LISP
• Supports email, calendar, and even web browsing
• Available in GUI versions as well
• Japanese Support
  Emacs has long supported multiple languages, including Japanese. It works well with Mozc for smooth input.

3-6. Sublime Text

A fast, beautifully designed editor with cross-platform support

Popular across different OSes, Sublime Text is known for its performance and elegant UI. Most features are available in the free trial with no strict limitations.

• Key Features
• Syntax highlighting for many languages
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts
• Handles large files smoothly
• Ubuntu and Japanese Input
  Japanese input generally works, but conversion suggestions might not display correctly. Settings or plugins may help resolve this.

3-7. Mousepad / Kate

Simple editors for lightweight desktop environments

“Mousepad” is the default editor for Xfce, while “Kate” is used in KDE. Both offer a clean and responsive experience similar to GNOME Text Editor.

• Key Features
• Fast performance using GTK (Mousepad) or Qt (Kate)
• Great compatibility with Ubuntu-based distributions
• Supports tabbed editing
• About Japanese Input
  Generally works well, making them a solid choice for those who want Japanese input support in a lightweight GUI environment.

4. How to Set Up Japanese Input and Troubleshoot Common Issues

IBus vs. Fcitx: Which Input Method Framework Should You Use?

In Ubuntu, Japanese input is handled through input method frameworks like “IBus” and “Fcitx.” The choice between them can impact how input and conversion behave.

For beginners, the default IBus + Mozc combo is recommended. However, some apps like VS Code may work more reliably with Fcitx.

Installing and Setting Up Mozc

“Mozc” is an open-source Japanese input engine based on Google Japanese Input. It offers high conversion accuracy and is widely used on Ubuntu.

Installation Steps for Mozc (using IBus):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ibus-mozc

After installation, log out and log back in for changes to take effect.

Enable Japanese Input:

1. Go to “Settings” → “Region & Language” → “Input Sources”
2. Click “+” and add “Japanese (Mozc)”
3. Once added, you can switch inputs using a shortcut key (e.g., Super + Space)

Using Fcitx Instead (Optional Command):

sudo apt install fcitx-mozc

After installation, open the settings window to configure Mozc, and don’t forget to set its priority in “Input Method” → “Priority.”

Common Japanese Input Issues and How to Fix Them

Input method glitches can cause several common problems in Ubuntu. Let’s take a look at the symptoms, causes, and solutions for each.

Issue #1: Duplicate Characters When Typing in Japanese

Example: When typing in hiragana, each character appears twice (e.g., “ああいいうう”).

Possible Causes:

• Compatibility issues with GNOME Text Editor or Electron-based apps
• Bugs in IBus or problems with Mozc

Solutions:

• Switch back to the old version of gedit

sudo apt install gedit

• Or try switching to Fcitx + Mozc for better compatibility

Issue #2: Unable to Type in Japanese at All

Possible Causes:

• No input method configured
• Japanese input engine is not installed

Solutions:

• Run ibus-setup or fcitx-config-gtk3 and confirm your input method settings
• Make sure the mozc package is installed
• Log out and back in to reset the input method

Issue #3: No Conversion Candidates in VS Code or Emacs

Cause: Some applications built with frameworks like Electron or GTK may not render candidate windows properly when using input methods.

Solutions:

• Add the following environment variables to your .bashrc or similar:

export GTK_IM_MODULE=ibus
export XMODIFIERS="@im=ibus"

• Alternatively, switching to Fcitx may help fix display issues

Last Resort: Rebuilding Your Input Environment

If all else fails, consider resetting your input method environment and reinstalling from scratch using the steps below.

sudo apt purge ibus-mozc fcitx-mozc
sudo apt install fcitx-mozc

Then use tools like fcitx-config-gtk3 to configure your input methods correctly.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why is Japanese input duplicated in GNOME Text Editor?

Answer:
This issue is caused by compatibility problems between the newer GNOME Text Editor (which replaced gedit in Ubuntu 22.04 and later) and the IBus + Mozc input method. You may see characters appear twice while typing in Japanese.

How to fix it:

• Reinstall and use the classic version of gedit

sudo apt install gedit

The older gedit is more stable and less prone to duplicate input problems.

• Alternatively, switch to Fcitx + Mozc, which may solve the issue in newer editors.

Q2. I can’t type in Japanese in Visual Studio Code. What should I do?

Answer:
VS Code is built on the Electron framework, which can cause compatibility issues with IBus and Fcitx input methods. Japanese input may not work as expected in some environments.

How to fix it:

• Switch to Fcitx + Mozc. This combination tends to work better with Electron apps.
• Alternatively, add the following environment variables to your .bashrc or .profile file:

export GTK_IM_MODULE=fcitx
export QT_IM_MODULE=fcitx
export XMODIFIERS="@im=fcitx"

Q3. Why does Japanese text appear garbled in nano or Vim?

Answer:
CLI editors like nano and Vim depend heavily on terminal encoding and font support. Even if Ubuntu uses UTF-8 by default, garbled text or layout issues may occur if your terminal doesn’t support Japanese fonts.

How to fix it:

• Go to your terminal emulator settings (e.g., GNOME Terminal), and select a font that supports Japanese characters—such as Noto Sans Mono CJK JP.
• Add the following to your .vimrc to improve compatibility:

set encoding=utf-8
set fileencodings=utf-8,iso-2022-jp,euc-jp,sjis

Q4. My shortcut key for switching input modes doesn’t work

Answer:
By default, Mozc lets you toggle input modes (Hiragana / English) using the Half-width/Full-width key or Super + Space. However, keyboard layout settings or input method misconfiguration may cause the shortcut to fail.

How to fix it:

• Go to “Settings” → “Keyboard Shortcuts” → “Switch Input Source” and check the key assignment
• In Mozc settings, go to “Keymap Style” and choose “Custom” to reassign keys as needed

Q5. Why don’t I see conversion candidates in Emacs or Sublime Text?

Answer:
In some apps like Emacs or Sublime Text, the Japanese conversion candidate window doesn’t show. This is often due to rendering limitations or compatibility issues with input method frameworks.

How to fix it:

• Switching to Fcitx + Mozc may allow the candidate window to display properly
• If the issue persists, try turning off “Suggestion Display” in Mozc and use inline conversion mode as a workaround

6. Conclusion & Recommended Next Reads

Choosing the Right Editor and Input Method in Ubuntu Is All About Compatibility

Ubuntu is a highly flexible Linux distribution, which means that your experience can vary greatly depending on your choice of editor and input method. These choices directly impact how efficient and enjoyable your workflow will be.

In this guide, we covered the following key points:

• The differences between text editors and code editors
• How to choose between GUI and CLI editors
• Top 7 recommended editors based on use case
• How to set up Japanese input using Mozc, IBus, or Fcitx
• Common issues and how to troubleshoot them (FAQ)

For beginners, we recommend starting with simple GUI editors like GNOME Text Editor or Mousepad. For more advanced development work, editors like Visual Studio Code or Vim offer greater power and flexibility.

When it comes to Japanese input, using Mozc as the engine is a solid choice. Just make sure you choose the right input method (IBus or Fcitx) that works best with your preferred editor.

Bugs Happen—Knowledge Is Your Best Tool

Since Ubuntu can behave differently depending on the version, environment, or software used, unexpected issues are not uncommon. But if you understand the basics of editor selection and input method setup, you’ll be ready to handle most challenges without panic.

If you ever find yourself thinking, “This editor is frustrating,” or “Japanese input won’t work right,” take a moment to review your settings. A small change could greatly improve your experience.

Final Thoughts

Ubuntu offers high freedom and customization. While it may feel overwhelming at first, finding the right editor and setup for your needs can make your Linux journey smoother and more enjoyable.

We hope this article has helped you take a confident first step as an Ubuntu user.