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Useful Apps Download a selection of apps to make your trip to Japan run even smoother. Choose from a list of all-round, navigation, sightseeing and accommodation applications.

• Helping You Plan

Travel Info

Tokyo Metro Subway Map

Download a full and interactive map of the Tokyo Metro, plus a handy route planner for getting around. The map covers the Tokyo Metro lines, Toei lines and JR Yamanote line. It works offline to provide support even without an internet connection. With the Tokyo Metro Subway Map app, riding the metro is easy.

• Google Play

Japan Travel – Route, Map, Guide

The Japan Travel app provides you with all the information you need as a tourist to truly explore Japan. Find specific information that you need and make recommendations via reviews for other travelers.

Japan Transit Planner

Japan Transit Planner is a multilingual navigation application. Find the route and how to transfer by railways or airplanes in Japan. It can check the route, the fare, and the required time easily when you input the departure station and the destination station.

Google Maps

Navigate your world faster and easier with Google Maps. Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info, and explore local neighborhoods by knowing where to eat, drink and go - no matter what part of the world you’re in.

GetYourGuide: Travel & Tickets

Download the GetYourGuide app to discover and book unforgettable travel experiences. Whether you're planning a vacation or looking for things to do in any destination, the app makes booking tours, day trips, and activities easier than ever. Choose from culture, food, adventure, nature, and more experiences.

Viator: Tours & Tickets

Use Viator for world-class travel experiences with traveler-minded flexibility and convenience. With 300,000+ experiences at your fingertips—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures —you're guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Yelp: Food, Delivery & Reviews

The famous user-based review site, Yelp, is now in Japan. You can make reservations, order delivery or pickup- all from your phone. Search for nearby businesses such as salons and spas, with reviews to make informed decisions.

Useful apps

Safety tips

Stay safe while in Japan! Find out the latest disaster information including early earthquake warnings, tsunami warnings, volcanic activity and strong weather with this app.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN

NHK WORLD-JAPAN provides the latest news and information on Japan and Asia. It is the international service of Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. (19 languages available - Push notification of emergency information on earthquakes and tsunami *English, Chinese, Portuguese and Vietnamese)

Worried about the language barrier in Japan? VoiceTra is a speech translation app supporting over 31 languages. Enjoy smooth communication in Japan particularly in places such as public transportation, shopping, hotels, or sightseeing spots.

Travel JAPAN Wi-Fi

Accessing free Wi-Fi can be a little difficult in Japan. With the Travel JAPAN Wi-Fi app, you'll be able to find free Wi-Fi while you are out and about. It automatically connects you to Wi-Fi hotspots, so you are never out of the loop.

Japan Connected Wi-Fi

Stay connected with the Japan Connected Wi-Fi app. With over 170,000 spots, tourists can easily access free Wi-Fi all over Japan. Simple and convenient, you'll be able to connect after a one-time registration. You can also search for Wi-Fi hotspots. This app has multi-lingual support.

Taxis & Ride sharing

Uber - Request a ride

Join the millions of riders who trust Uber for their everyday travel needs. Whether you’re running an errand across town or exploring a city far from home, getting there should be easy.

DiDi Rider: Affordable rides

Do you need a ride? Or are you craving for a pizza? Ride wherever you want or order food delivery with DiDi, the world's largest mobility app and professional food delivery platform! Order a car in just three taps for relaxed and comfortable travel.

With S.RIDE, you can hail a taxi with one swipe and the nearest vehicle will be dispatched to you from one of Tokyo’s largest taxi networks. Payment is also cashless and speedy. This app offers a much more comfortable way to move around Tokyo.

GO / Taxi app for Japan

The GO app streamlines travel with quick taxi dispatch, arrival alerts, direct messaging, and cashless payments through GO Pay. It offers advance bookings, specialized vehicles, and an Airport flat-rate service to Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports.

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12 Of The Best Apps For Japan Travel

Last Updated September 12, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Gear & Tech » 12 Of The Best Apps For Japan Travel

When it comes to travel to Japan, things can easily get lost in translation.  Whether you’re a first timer or a frequent traveller to the country, it’s always a bit overwhelming especially in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka where you’re faced with endless number of neighbourhoods, what seems to be an infinite number of train lines and companies that run them, and not to mention all of the restaurants that you can choose from.  It’s a lot to take in but thanks to a couple of apps, your life on the road in Japan can be made a lot easier.

So without further ado, here are the twelve best apps for Japan travel that you’ll definitely want to make sure you download before you go.

In This Article

• 1.  Google Maps
• 2.  Maps.me
• 3.  HyperDia
• 4.  Japan Travel by NAVITIME
• 5.  Tokyo Subway Navigation
• 6.  Norikae Annai Japan Transit (formerly Japan Transit Planner by Jorudan)

7. Google Translate

8. gurunavi, 9. ramen beast, 10. rosetta stone, 11. ecbo cloak, 12 must-download apps for japan travel, read more about japan, where to stay in japan, japan trip planning essentials and discounts, the best apps for japan travel.

As technology has evolved, so have the apps that are on our smartphones.  Here are a collection of apps that I always make sure are loaded on my phone before I start my trip to Japan.

1.  Google Maps

Let’s start with the most obvious here.  Map apps are going to be one of the most critical ones to keep you from getting lost.  You’ll use it to find places you want to go and you can use it to navigate as well.

On my first trip to Japan I was skeptical about how good this would be but in most cases, I’d say I defaulted to Google as one does.

You can pretty much find anything you’re looking for on Google and with its handy Save feature where you can drop pins on places that you want to visit.  This is something I do for almost every trip and part of my trip planning process .

Google Maps is also surprisingly good when it comes to providing train navigation instructions with accurate timing.  I noticed locals use it too so it must be pretty reliable.

Offline wise, Google Maps is fully capable but with drawbacks.  You can easily do the “OK Maps” technique of saving maps offline  or you can go into the “Offline maps” section of the menu.  However, the issue is that if you pull up your offline map when you’re out of range of data, your pins don’t show up and that can get pretty annoying if you don’t have a Japan SIM card or a hotspot such as Skyroam .

Get your SIM

If you’re headed to Japan, think about ordering a SIM card ahead of time so that you can hit the ground running when you arrive. No more stressing with where to go one you land at the airport and figuring out what plans work out the best or are the best deal.

ORDER YOUR SIM

Another nifty feature of Google Maps is that you can create your own custom maps (called My Maps) which you’ll see me use on all of my itineraries and guides including the top ramen shops in Tokyo and best places to eat in Tokyo .  I love them because you can copy them from folks like me and then tweak it to your liking in terms of adding custom icons, colours, and layers.  The only problem with this feature is that again, you need data to access it.  Even if you have offline maps saved, it won’t let you load it unless you have data.

Tips:  If you’re going to travel without data and you want to use Google Maps with your pins intact (custom maps or otherwise), make sure you have the Google Maps open while you have wifi and make sure you keep the map alive throughout the day

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pros:  

• Easy to use and most are comfortable with the interface
• Navigation capabilities are very good in Japan
• Access to the large pool of data that’s on Google (point of interest information such as hours, website, pictures, reviews)

Cons:  

• Has limitations when it comes to offline use

Offline Capability: Yes but no access to pins or My Maps without data

Download:  iOS / Android

Price:  Free

2.  Maps.me

On the topic of maps, Maps.me is an app that I’m going to more and more and here’s why.

Maps.me is an offline map juggernaut and while I can’t say it’s a replacement for Google Maps, I use it to complement it in situations where I know there’s going to be blackout of data or simply put, I’m too cheap to pay for data.

That is why when I plan my trips, I make sure that the pins that I added on Google Maps also appear on Maps.me.  There’s a fairly simple process of doing it but if you don’t know how, make sure to read my guide on how to import your custom Google Maps into Maps.me .

The advantage of the Maps.me app is that once you download the areas of interest, you’ll have access to the maps, points of interests that are built-in, and of course any custom pins/bookmarks that you create.

• Has very rich offline capabilities
• Bookmarking features are handy and luckily you can import them from your Google My Maps
• Surprisingly a high number of points of interests for their small offline map sizes which means you can actually search for places offline
• Tracks GPS location as you would expect
• Does not have navigation capabilities
• Takes awhile to learn the app if you’re a first-time user
• Point of interest lacks rich data that Google has

3.  HyperDia

UPDATE: As of March 31, 2022, they disabled the ability to search timetables but you can still search average times. It looks like the Android version of the app has been pulled but the iOS version remains as “HYPERDIA by VOICE”. The better alternative for Hyperdia is now Japan Travel .

This is one of the essential apps when it comes to travel in Japan mainly because it is the Bible for all any train travel in the country.

Whether you have the Japan Rail Pass or you’re purchasing rail tickets leg by leg, this is the must-have app or website to find out what you need to take and accurately see the departure and arrival times. What makes HyperDia a godsend is that it’s useable Japanese website that has English translations.

Traditionally, HyperDia was something you used on your desktop.  It’s got handy features like being able to filter out Nozomi and Mizuho trains in your search so you only see trains that your Japan Rail Pass can use.  This is still the preferred way to use HyperDia but with everyone living off of their smartphones, they’ve also developed an app version.

For those with Apple phones, they have an app that’s built with Siri-like capabilities.  All you have to do is say something like “Tokyo station to Osaka station, first train” and it’ll be able to parse it out to search.  It’s a good quick search tool for those that are on the go.  I also like that you can filter for results that only work with the Japan Rail Pass .

If you have Android, it doesn’t have the voice feature but it does everything else and even has additional features like providing walking times, car rental rates, and even suggest hotels in the area.

The disadvantage with HyperDia apps is that they’re not free and so I think most people will end up using this on your browser or laptop if you packed one for your trip to Japan.

Overall, this is a must-use tool especially for anyone travelling around the country.

• Access to highly accurate and complete schedule of all trains in Japan
• Will show you routes that sometimes Google will miss
• Useful for those that are travelling with the JR Pass
• Provides tons of valuable travel information including duration and cost
• Saves your history of searches
• App is not free
• Extremely basic app design that is quite dated
• Mapping isn’t built in
• No real offline capabilities

Offline Capability: No

Download:  Japan Travel on iOS

Website:    HyperDia

Price:  App is free to download but unlocking English features require payment.  Subscription based – $2.99 USD per month for English and $25.99 USD for the year.  That said, you can use the app as a 30 day trial so just download this right before you leave.

4.  Japan Travel by NAVITIME

This is another essential app to have for anyone that’s spending time in Japan’s capital, Tokyo.  If you’ve read my  how to get around in Tokyo guide, you’ll know how complex transit is in the city because of all the different companies, lines, ways to pay and so much more.

NaviTime is a comprehensive app that has everything you need to know about not only Tokyo’s transportation network but also the rest of the country.  It also includes the following:

• Offline search for free WiFi spots
• Navigation directions to get from point A to B
• Voice navigation
• Train stop list which helps with knowing you’ve gotten on train that’s going in the right direction
• Train delays
• Recent routes are saved offline

If you’re using this to plan your train routes, another handy thing is knowing what platform you need to be on which is especially useful in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.

The app has also expanded beyond just transit as it also has built in guides for events, shopping, nature, nightlife, art & culture, and food & drink.  It also has itineraries and coupons as well which can be helpful.

One thing you should be mindful of is that to use most of the functionalities you will need data so make sure you grab a SIM card ahead of time or a pocket wi-fi device .

• You could say this is a more full fleshed out app compared to HyperDia
• Detailed schedule of trains in Japan and optimal routing
• Access to travel guides and articles
• The searches by JR Pass can be limiting because it can exclude some obvious connectors that will require cash payment and instead ask you to walk instead which may not be ideal
• There are some complaints about battery life on Android
• No real offline capability

Price:  Free (searching alternate routes based on disruptions or voice searching are paid features)

5.  Tokyo Subway Navigation

UPDATE: This app has been discontinued but we really like Tokyo Subway Map OFFLINE on iOS. There’s a different Android version called Tokyo Metro Map (Offline) .

If you’re only staying in Tokyo and need just a really simple app to replace the paper map for the Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines then this is it.

There’s not much to say about it other than the fact that it’s basic, easy to use, and for me is all about seeing the subway system lines so I can quickly figure out how to get to where I need to go.

• Offline map of the Tokyo Metro and Toei lines in Tokyo
• Limited functionality beyond the two lines

Offline Capability: Yes but only for the map and not for navigation purposes

6.  Norikae Annai Japan Transit (formerly Japan Transit Planner by Jorudan)

This is another transit app that is often raved by locals that live in Japan.  The original Jorudan app is packed with features but since there was never any English built in, they finally created a stand-alone app called Japan Transit Planner.

Similar to the other navigation apps on the list so far, it does routing for trains so you can filter out routes that aren’t covered by the JR Pass, pick reserved seats, find out how much each option costs, and which takes the least amount of time.  I also like that this one has capabilities to search by station to see what lines run through and their individual schedules.

This app also has information about flights as well if that’s an option that makes sense for your journey.

What it doesn’t have are any maps or any offline capabilities which was one of the big advantages of the Japanese version.

• Easy to use and clean interface
• Allows you to find the fastest route and tells you which ones are easy to help you decide
• Includes ticket pricing whether using a ticket or IC card which is helpful
• Useful filtering options for Japan Rail Pass, Tokyo Subway Ticket, and sort order preferences
• No offline functionality

Price:  Free but there is a subscription available that removes ads, path/timetable history, customized search criteria, and optimal boarding position

So far we’ve been focusing on navigation and that’s super important because the worst feeling is getting lost in a brand new country.  The second thing that you’ll encounter is the language barrier.  While you might not have any experience in Japanese at all, there are apps like Google Translate that can help along the way.

This is an app that is a must-have for anyone that travels because you can download so many different languages for offline translation.  Over the years it has also gotten better and better with new functionality.

Here are a few things that Google Translate is good for:

• Translating something in English to Japanese and either attempting to say it or just showing the characters (flip the phone to landscape mode and it’ll show the words in a giant cue-card format
• Voice translation (data required) where you can translate something quickly on the fly from English to Japanese or if you hear something in Japanese and want it translated, you can also use this
• Conversation mode is a new one that I haven’t tried yet but the idea is that you can literally have it running and it’ll translate back and forth as both sides speak
• Handwriting can be helpful if you see Japanese characters and you’re trying to figure out what it says
• Camera mode is also useful for translating Japanese to English on the fly by taking your phone’s camera and pointing at the sign that you’re trying to figure out
• Voice playback to help with pronunciation
• Incredibly easy to use and offers multiple ways to translate
• Offline capability is a huge plus
• Camera mode is sometimes un-useable as only some of the translations make sense so it is very much hit-or-miss

Offline Capability: Yes but some features may not be available such as any voice feature, Conversation, or Handwriting

We’ve gotten this far without talking about food so it’s time to correct that.  If you’ve been wondering “what is the Yelp of Japan”, GuruNavi is going to be the closest thing as a reputable app that let’s just say is going offer way more authentic advice than TripAdvisor.

GuruNavi is an app that helps you figure out what to eat based on where you’re going to be, the type of cuisine, and budget across cities all over Japan.  The app is a relatively simple search interface where you’ll pick the cuisine you want and the city or neighbourhood.

These are the features that you’ll find helpful while you travel:

• Find out whether they have English menus or not
• Preview of menus with price
• Recommended dishes
• Credit cards accepted
• Opening hours
• Phone number

I personally feel like the app is decent for restaurant research but you’re going to be overwhelmed with the results.  The main issue is that there’s no real way to sort the restaurant listing by some sort of rating system.  There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason to what you see so the challenge you’ll have is figuring out what’s the best.  Still, it’s helpful in a pinch if you feel like just picking something random around you.

• English-based app for restaurants all across Japan
• Detailed information about each restaurant
• Handy link to be able to call restaurants to make reservations if you need to
• Ability to filter by neighbourhood and cuisine
• No offline capability
• Missing utility features such as being able to bookmark restaurants
• No rating system to make it possible to sort listings

Download:  Android

If you’ve read my piece of ramen etiquette that you’re probably breaking or the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo , you’ll know that I did this with the help of local experts from Ramen Beast.  They’re a small team that’s obsessed with finding the best ramen in the country and sharing that passion with the rest of the world.

They started off as something web-based but now they have a killer app as well and super handy for anyone that wants to seek out the best bowl of ramen goodness.

It’s truly impressive how much of the country that have covered and especially when you go to hot spots like Tokyo or Osaka, you’ll see the land dotted with red pins.  Each listing has photos of the location and food, essential info about the shop, recommended “bowl to crush”, and a description that reads like it was written by a writer for The Hollywood Reporter (which is actually true).

If you’re overwhelmed by the choice, the Ramen Beast app also has lists which are curated collection of ramen shops that will tell you which ones are the best miso style, ones that are open late, or simply the crème de la crème of Tokyo.

• Slick and modern UI that’s easy to use and navigate
• Has a geo-location function to narrow down by map where you are
• Listings include photos and more importantly, the one bowl you have to order
• Handy lists to help narrow down your choices
• No Android version
• No offline capabilities

Download:  iOS /not available on Android

If you’re super keen on learning Japanese, I’d recommend trying out Rosetta Stone.  Yes they still exist!  Instead of the boxes you could buy off the shelves of Best Buy, it’s gone fully digital with an app and everything.

We tested the app for the Mandarin edition and we were really impressed with how well put together the curriculum is and its focus on the practical as opposed to the mundane details of grammar.  You jump right into conversational pieces that will actually be useful.

With the Rosetta Stone, you can truly learn a new language on the go where all the modules can be done while commuting or waiting at the doctor’s appointment.  There are built in audio guides for extended learning, and on top of that, lessons can be saved offline.

Once you learn the basics of Japanese, you won’t feel some of the struggles that are very real in the country where English comprehension is quite limited.

• Very well-built app that is very conducive to learning a new language
• Offline capability is handy
• May not match your learning style

Offline Capability: Yes, lessons can be downloaded offline and is available for 30 days afterwards

Price:  The subscription $129.99 USD for 12 months or if you want something shorter $89.99 for 6 months of $49.99 for 3 months but they always offer Rosetta Stone discounts so check them out for savings up to 20% off.

Have you ever had situations in your travels where you’ve needed to check out of your accommodations early and you have this awkward gap of time between catching a bus, plane, or train and you don’t know what to do with your stuff?  You either have to carry your luggage with you or you have to find a place to stash it for a couple of hours.

Ecbo Cloak is an app that works similarly to another service I learned about in Taiwan called Lalalocker .  Think of it as the Airbnb of storage lockers.  In most cities, you’ll have the official storage lockers in train stations, large retail stores, and post offices but what about all of the available space in someone’s store, restaurant, maybe even a hotel offering up their space to non-guests, or even someone’s home?

With Ecbo Cloak, it’ll help you find the luggage storage shops nearby, help you reserve, and pay all through the app.  How it works is you reserve your space ahead of time by paying online with your credit card.  Storage is charged per day and for most places, it’s 300 JPY for small bags smaller than 45cm long and 600 JPY for anything larger.  You can also reserve at rail stations for a flat fee of 800 JPY.

• Sharing economy at its finest and provides great utility for a common travel issue
• Reasonable prices and all handled within the app to eliminate the hassle of payment outside of the system
• Established trust factor

Price:  Free to download but fee required for luggage storage

Yes Uber does work in Japan. I finally got a chance to test it on my latest trip to Japan!

I don’t think I need to explain what Uber does so why don’t I just dive into what situations you’d want to use Uber versus the traditional way of hailing a cab in a city such as Tokyo.

I talk about this same topic when explaining how to apply to the Toyosu Fish Market tuna auction  but essentially it works like this.  Uber in Tokyo is more like a taxi-hailing app where the same taxis that you’d flag down on the street could be the same ones picking you up by Uber.  Overall, Uber in most cases is going to be more expensive than regular cabs but where there’s a twist in the story is during late night from 10PM to 5AM where there’s usually a 20% surcharge.  Uber doesn’t add this in so if you’re out late, Uber may be a good option.

Another thing to consider is when you’re travelling in groups of 5 or more.  Most cabs in the city are for a maximum of 4 passengers.  Uber allows you to call a van on-the-fly as opposed to waiting around and hoping for a larger van cab to roll by.

• Regular taxis are usually cheaper

Price:  Free to download but if you’re creating a new account, make sure to use promo code  willt1324ue to save $5 off your first ride.

So there you have it!  12 useful apps to have when travelling to Japan.  You might not use all of these apps when you’re in the country but they’re always good to have pre-downloaded before you go.

Last tip I’ll share is that you want to make sure you open each one before you leave because they may need to download an internal update or in the case of the map apps, do all the offline downloading ahead of time.

Have a blast in Japan!

• Best offline maps app for travel that isn’t Google
• Ultimate Tokyo food guide
• Must-read Japan 12 day itinerary
• Kichijoji street food guide
• What to buy in Japan and where
• Our Japan guide
• Now that’s a loaded question but to get you started, here are a few guides to take a look at.  Here are places to stay in Tokyo and where to stay in Kyoto .

If you’re in the middle of booking your trip to Japan, here are the most important places you need to go to book:

• JR Pass – The two most reliable places we always check are JRailPass and JRPass . If you are taking long distance Shinkansen across multiple region, get the full JR Pass . If you’re focusing on one specific area, you only need a JR regional pass .
• Shinkansen – The JR Pass prices have gone up and for many of you, it’ll make more sense to book tickets individually. The secret is that when you buy your Shinkansen tickets through Klook offers special vouchers for Don Quijote and BIC when booking. Their tickets are super easy to redeem as well. Right now, use code SKS10OFF to save $10 USD off.
• Hotels/Ryokans – In Japan, the best website for accommodations, hands down is Agoda . When we’ve compared them against Booking , Agoda consistently came out cheaper.
• Tours – While Viator and GetYourGuide are our go-to’s, Klook and KKDay are much popular in Asia so it’s always worth comparing across all of them to make sure you get the best price.
• Pocket Wifi – While we do love eSIMs, having a pocket wifi is great for sharing data with a large group. The most popular is NinjaWifi which is easy to pick up at the airport. Use code AWESOME15 to save 15% (automatically applied). Alternatives are offered by JRPass and JRailPass but they aren’t as cheap. For a more global solution, consider Solis and PokeFi .
• eSIM – The best one is Airalo . Save money by getting the Japan region eSIM and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. From now to Feb 29, the 10GB package is half price as well! Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
• Car Rental – Big companies like Budget , Avis , and Enterprise operate in Japan but they’re usually the most expensive. The best companies are the local Japanese ones such as Toyota Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar, Orix Rentacar, Nissan Rentacar, and Times Car Rental. To make things easier, use Rentalcars and Klook to compare prices all in one place. Don’t forget, you need an IDP to drive in Japan so get one before you leave your home country.
• Learn Japanese – It helps to know even a bit of the language before you go. Start your learning with Rosetta Stone Japanese .
• Cash or credit – Cash is still very important to have in Japan but when you use credit cards, make sure you’re not getting charged those extra exchange rate fees. The best card right now is the Wise Multi-Currency Card which is actually a debit card where you can convert at favorable rates beforehand. This cuts out any sneaky transaction fees.
• Travel Insurance – Make sure you’re covered in case something happens. Get quotes from Insured Nomads and if you’re from Canada, get quotes from RATESDOTCA .
• Shopping – Discovering Don Quijote is a quintessential part of the Japan experience. The secret for tax-free shopping is that they have a coupon that can help you save 10% off + additional 5% off if you spend ¥10,000 or more.
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About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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June 5, 2021 at 1:03 AM

Dear editor, please update the listing as some of the apps you are recommending is so outdated that the UI looks like it was made for original nokia.

Will Tang says

June 5, 2021 at 6:22 PM

Those are just how many of the Japanese apps look and are designed. Yes, many of them can be better but we use what we can get when we’re travelling.

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TRAVEL | Tips and Advice

10 USEFUL APPS FOR VISITING JAPAN THAT ARE IN ENGLISH

Article | |--> Dayna Hannah

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PLANNING A TRIP TO JAPAN JUST BECOME A LOT EASIER WITH THESE 10 USEFUL APPS FOR VISITING JAPAN THAT ARE IN ENGLISH!

As much as we might hate to admit it, smartphones are necessary to get through most of our days. When you're traveling, they can be a real lifesaver. Especially if it's your first time in Japan , and you can't speak any Japanese! Before you leave the airport, make sure to pick up a SIM card or mobile WiFi router . Without them, getting connected while you explore different parts of Japan will be frustrating. Although you can depend on hotels to have reliable internet connections, most public places don't. Coffee shops and restaurants usually only have provider-specific routers, and city-wide WiFi is so slow it's pretty much useless. Once you've got a way to access the internet, download these apps to make your trip to Japan a breeze!

1. GOOGLE MAPS

Let's get the obvious app you'll need out of the way first. If you go anywhere on your own in Japan, Google Maps are a must. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto have ancient roads that go in curvy and complicated patterns. Without a navigation app, you'll quickly get lost. But what makes Google Maps the one we recommend? It'll also help you navigate local trains, buses, and subways ! When you ride the Tokyo Metro, Google Maps will show you either your train's platform number or the name of the final destination. It'll also sometimes tell you which car to board so that you can easily reach your exit or make a speedy transfer. Recently, a new feature shows how crowded it usually is, too! That said, Google Maps isn't entirely flawless. It can drain your battery life, and it's sometimes a few minutes off on train arrivals and route estimate times. If you're making a long-distance journey, you can't search for which trains and buses accept the JR Pass. If you want an alternate navigation app, take a look at Hyperdia .

2. GOOGLE TRANSLATE

You might have heard that most Japanese people don't speak any English. While that statement isn't entirely factual , a 2016 survey by Rakuten found that 70% of respondents said they have little or no English abilities. To get around the language barrier, many travelers learn some Japanese phrases , but it never hurts to have Google Translate as a backup. Many restaurants offer English or illustrated menus, but this isn't always the case. At some mom-and-pop shops, you might get stuck with a paper filled with kanji— in cursive ! In this kind of situation, you can use Google Translate's "instant camera" function. Although it won't be 100% correct, you'll get the main idea. When it comes to face-to-face communication, using English and hand gestures goes a lot further than you might think. Only use Google Translate as a last resort, and make sure you input simple sentences.

3. INSTAGRAM

Yes, you'll see picturesque places that you'll want to share with friends, but we're not talking about that. You can use Instagram to help map out your day. Especially if you're coming to see cherry blossoms or autumn leaves . Everyone has their favorite place for seeing these phenomenons. However, cherry blossoms and other flowers are fickle. Nothing is more disappointing than crossing oceans to find they haven't reached their full bloom or have already wilted. With Instagram, you can get the inside scoop without leaving your hotel. Using the search function, enter the name of your tentative destinations. Other user's recent pictures will pop up, and you can see for yourself if it's worth it to go. There are other apps and websites dedicated to this, but the best (and free) ones are only in Japanese.

4. WHATSAPP OR LINE

Don't get charged exorbitant long-distance fees when you call or text. Tools like WhatsApp and LINE will make it easy for you to keep in touch without running up your phone bill. If you're joining a group tour, download WhatsApp. Most, if not all, guides use this app to contact their guests in case of an emergency. If you aren't already a user, note that you can't call landlines, nor can you call a mobile phone that doesn't have WhatsApp installed. Besides tour guides, though, WhatsApp isn't the most popular instant messaging platform. Most Japanese people use LINE instead of calling or texting through their service plans. Like WhatsApp, you can use LINE to text, call, or video chat with other users. Businesses sometimes offer discounts if you add them as a "friend," so keep an eye out for these kinds of promotions.

5. ANA OR JAL

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are the two largest international airlines in the country. If you're taking either of these on your flight to and from Japan, consider downloading their apps. With ANA Sky Mobile, you can make reservations, check flight statuses and your mileage, as well as apply for rewards. You can also use it to access in-flight entertainment on some domestic routes. JAL GLOBAL offers similar services, but the company has also released other apps to help you during your travels after you land. The JAL Explore Japan WiFi connects you to over 200,000 public hotspots.

6. JAPANTAXI

Finding a cab in metropolitan areas is a sinch. You'll see them lined up at taxi stands or actively looking for passengers as they drive around town. However, if you're in the suburbs or if it's rush hour, you might have some trouble hailing one. There are ridesharing apps in Japan, but they haven't seen as much success as they have in other countries. With the JapanTaxi application, you can call a cab to your location without any Japanese needed. You don't need a credit card to sign up, and the interface is very user-friendly. Just hit "Pick me up here" to call a cab right away, or use the "Date and Time" button to reserve one. You can also change your location by moving your screen or search for an address. When you confirm your ride, JapanTaxi will send the license plate number of your car.

7. SAFETY TIPS

Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world and is typhoon-prone in late summer . Although it isn't likely that you'll experience a natural disaster, it's better to stay prepared. As soon as you arrive, your phone automatically connects with the emergency alert system. Unfortunately, all of the warnings are in Japanese. The Japan National Tourism Organization developed the Safty Tips app for foreign travelers to receive notifications in their native language. You can set it to actively use your location or input the places you'll visit. The home screen shows the current weather and a flowchart of warnings and information. Among the different options, you can find information about recent earthquakes, volcanic warnings, and evacuation procedures. If you have a personal emergency, you can use Safety Tips to find the closest hospital or phrases in Japanese for seeking help.

8. ECBO CLOAK

One of the necessary evils about traveling is your suitcase . No matter how few clothes you bring or souvenirs you buy, dragging bags around town isn't fun. Thankfully, Japan has a convenient luggage-delivery system, and most train stations have coin lockers. But what do you do when the lockers are full, or you don't want to send your things? Ecbo Cloak is like Airbnb for suitcases. On their interactive map, you can find different businesses that offer storage for a fee. Places like hair salons , language schools, coffee shops, and other establishments with extra space for sale all participate. The app very advantageous if you have oversized or unusually shaped items like sports equipment or musical instruments. You might also consider using it if you take a day trip and want to lighten your load. Best of all, you can reserve ahead of time or as needed depending on your itinerary.

9. OPENTABLE

If wandering the streets to find something to eat doesn't sound appealing to you, you can use OpenTable to find a restaurant. Although you might know this app as a tool for making reservations, it's possible to use it to search for shops by budget, cuisine, or availability. That isn't to say Japan doesn't have apps that work like Yelp. Locals usually use Tablelog or Gurunavi to find eateries in their area. Tablelog has customer reviews, and Gurunavi notes if there is an English menu or vegetarian options. Neither app is in English, but their mobile-friendly sites have multiple languages.

If you're a solo traveler looking to make friends from all over the world, Japan can be a somewhat lonely country. In Japanese culture, people usually don't speak to strangers, even in bars and clubs. Try to strike up a conversation with someone in a cafe, and you might get sideways glances and awkward stutters. With the Meetup app, you can find events in your area where you can meet new people. Some of the activities target travelers and ex-pats, some are for everyone, and some specifically try to connect Japanese and international people. Just enter your hobbies when you sign up, and Meetup will show happenings around town that might interest you!

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13 Apps to Make Your Japan Trip Easier

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There are a few apps I won’t travel to Japan without—and a few that could be helpful for people other than me! So, here’s my list of the apps that can make your Japan trip easier.

How I Picked The List

Simple—they’re the ones I use! They’ve taken me on seven trips to Japan and are currently fueling the plans for number eight.

I’ve seen lists far longer than this one, but they often include apps that crossover with others on the list below, that aren’t Japan-specific, like hotel or flight booking apps or apps that are only in Japanese – so you probably don’t need to fill your phone up with them. There’s enough to do when planning a trip to Japan as it is without translating restaurant suggestions!

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

Transport Apps

I use these apps to find train routes and schedules when planning my itinerary, to determine whether a rail pass is more effective, and to get around Japan once I arrive.

Japan Travel by Navitime

This is probably the app I use the most when planning. It allows me to check different routes to places, with their costs, travel times, and how far apart the trains are in more local areas. Yes, Google Maps has this information, and it’s another essential, but I don’t think it’s as good when you’re planning 2-3 months in advance.

Navitime is also better for more rural areas, where I find Google Maps doesn’t always cover options like buses as well as Navitime does.

I have a guide to using the app to help plan and price your trip here.

Google Maps

While Navitime is fantastic for forward planning, I swap to Google Maps once I arrive, as it’s just more helpful for the whole journey – particularly directing you to the best entrance to the station. Get this wrong, and you can waste a lot of time – I once had to cut my whole visit to the Maglev Museum in Nagoya short because I didn’t pay attention to the correct entrance and walked around underground for ages.

Google Maps does get a bit confused by tall buildings in some areas, especially in Tokyo, so it’s still a good idea to always have a rough idea of your route. I still haven’t seen the tiny Godzilla statue in Ginza as it turned me around so many circles in the rain that I gave up!

Most of the time it is not essential to book Shinkansen tickets in advance ( this post explains a couple of times you might want to do so though) but if you do want to plan in advance, then this is the easiest way to buy tickets for the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen, which goes between Tokyo and Kyushu via popular stops like Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima. Sadly it doesn’t cover the others.

It clearly shows you the complete price, you can pick your seat location, including those with oversized baggage space , and it delivers you a QR code that you can use to get directly on the train rather than queuing.

However, if you’re like me and don’t trust QR codes not to fail the actual moment you need to use them, you can also print out your tickets at the station!

There are a couple of caveats with SmartEx: It isn’t available in all countries, and, like many online purchasing systems in Japan, it doesn’t always work well with foreign cards, particularly VISA. If your cards fail with SmartEx, then Klook is your next easiest option to buy tickets—see below.

Uber does work in Japan, but in many places, it will just call you a normal taxi at a slightly more expensive price. Go Taxi will call you a cab directly. I admit, it doesn’t work everywhere—I was trying to get on in Takayama by the Teddy Bear Museum, and it told me I was out of their area, but it’s still good to have.

The Transport App Not to Download

One app that you don’t need is the Suica App. Suica is one of the many transport cards you can use to get around Japan and to pay for things.

You can create a digital version of this on your phone, but you don’t use the Suica app to do so. The app is all in Japanese and isn’t necessary if you don’t live in Japan.

Instead, follow our guide to setting up a Suica card via Apple Wallet – sorry, Android users, right now, it only works on iPhones.

Apps For Understanding Things

Google translate.

Those who speak better Japanese than me say it’s not completely accurate, but it’s easy to use and works well enough for most of us when traveling.

You can type or speak into it when chatting with Japanese people which not only makes it easier to communicate with people working in your hotel, in restaurants or taxis, it’s also made it much easier to chat with Japanese people in places like bars ( standing bars are great for this ) or on trains.

My current favorite use is translating signs at shrines; I’ve learned so many interesting things that I might have missed simply by looking at them through the Google Translate camera option.

For example, the sign behind this statue on the Seven Lucky Gods walk in Nagano tells you it’s for money-washing, which is said to increase your cash flow. How fun is that to discover?

This is very helpful if you’re traveling with any specialist dietary needs, want to buy something like skincare with a particular active in it or, get sick in Japan and need to look for medication with (or without) a certain ingredient in it. That was how I found it. I needed something to check there wasn’t ibuprofen in some medicine I wanted to buy.

You simply scan the product’s barcode into the app, and it shows you the ingredients in English.

This is what it told me about the Salonpas painkilling patches I use when I’m there – it also gives you instructions on how to use them and any warnings that are on the packet.

And it’s quick, too. I’ve stood for ages in Japanese pharmacies waving Google Translate over packets while trying to buy things like bite cream or cold medicines, so this is a game changer.

Tickets and Sightseeing Apps

They are one of the leading aggregators of tours and tickets in Japan. They have a special relationship with USJ, which means they have tickets on there you can’t even buy at USJ—like their Studio Pass, which includes Super Nintendo World access for just AU$30 more than the basic entry, or the early entry pass that gets you ahead of the crowds.

And, if you have a VISA card, or another card that doesn’t work well with online systems in Japan, it’s the simplest option to buy things like advance Shinkansen tickets, Disney tickets or USJ passes.

You can buy tours or tickets directly from the app, or if you do so online, you can easily access your tickets in the app, so it’s good to have it set up before you leave.

If you’re visiting Universal Studios Japan, download their app before you leave. You’ll get a good idea of the wait times for the most popular rides (spoiler alert—long) and where things are in the park so you can plan your route.

On the day of your visit, you’ll also use the app, not a printed map, to navigate the park, and crucially, if you don’t have a pass with access to Super Nintendo World, the app is how you’ll try to snag a timed entry to this part of the park.

If you don’t understand a word of what I just typed there, check our guide to getting into Super Nintendo World , as you can’t just walk in there.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Like Universal Studios, Tokyo Disney Resort no longer offers printed maps, so you’ll need to use their app to get around the park – but you’ll also use it to use any of the skip-the-line passes at Tokyo Disney, book requests to enter shows and, on some days, even to get into certain shops or areas in the park.

See our guide to Disney tickets and extras to explain all these processes.

You’ll also need the app if you want to reduce the time you spend queuing for food by using the mobile ordering service – and, right now, you’ll need it to get the passes that are the only way to get into the Fantasy Springs area if you haven’t got a package that includes the special ticket.

See more about Fantasy Springs access if this is news to you.

Again, it’s a good idea to check the app for a few days before you travel to get an idea of queues and a plan of what you might want to see first.

Useful Day-to-Day Apps

Nhk world app.

Hopefully, you won’t need this one, but Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, and earthquakes do happen. If a large quake is detected that you might feel, an emergency alert will be issued and, app or no app, it will come through your phone – I once got woken up at 4.30 with a very loud klaxon.

Most of the time, even though it’s a bit scary, it won’t be anything to worry about but, if a quake does cause severe damage in an area you are in, if there’s a tsunami warning, or, if there’s some other kind of widescale emergency, there might not be enough information in English to tell you what to do next. The NHK World app will offer emergency information you can understand.

For less dramatic purposes, it also has weather and Japanese news in English.

I mentioned this in this guide to staying hydrated in Japan. It helps you find the locations of the drinking fountains or restaurants and cafes that will let you fill up your water bottle. This is particularly useful in summer when Japan’s heat and humidity will see you reaching for liquid more often.

If you’re using apps, you will want to be online! I use this eSim on my trips. It’s far cheaper than buying a Japanese SIM or hiring portable Wi-Fi, and it means I can keep my local number alive for texts from my credit card. See more about their plans and pricing here.

Eating as a vegetarian, and particularly as a vegan, can be tricky in Japan as even some seemingly meat and fish-free dishes can contain a seafood-based stock called dashi; Happy Cow helps you find vegan restaurants around Japan. This is the only one I don’t use personally as I’m not a vegetarian, but it is good.

So that’s the list of apps I use in Japan and when planning beforehand. Happy downloading.

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