To realize a readily understandable character input interface which does not need many physical keys, a character input device comprises a character input interface image display section for displaying a character input interface image which contains a plurality of key images (a key image alignment) each associated with one or more characters and a list showing one or more character strings; a distinctive display section for selectively and distinctively displaying, using a cursor, one of the plurality of key images and the one or more character strings shown in the list according to a direction operation carried out by the user; an input character string display section for displaying, when one of the plurality of key images is distinctively displayed by the distinctive display section when the user carries out an input operation, one of the characters associated with the key image in a character string display area, and displaying, when one of the one or more character strings is distinctively displayed by the distinctive display section when the user carries out the input operation, the character string in the input character string display area.