Must-Have FAIL-PROOF Japan Travel Apps (#7 is a Lifesaver!)

Boom! You’ve just landed in Japan, a country that’s been on your bucket list for way too long. But wait, what’s that feeling in your stomach? Is it the delicious ramen you had on the plane, or is it the excitement mixed with a dash of nervousness about exploring a new place? Don’t worry, because with the help of some incredible Japan travel apps, your trip is about to become a whole lot easier and more fun!

Imagine being able to navigate the bustling streets of Tokyo, order mouth-watering sushi at an izakaya, and even communicate with friendly locals, all with a few taps on your phone. Thanks to the power of technology, you can say “Sayonara” to stress and “Konnichiwa” to an unforgettable journey through Japan.

Even if you don’t speak a word of Japanese, these essential travel apps will make you feel like a pro as you discover the wonders of this dynamic country. All you need is an internet connection, either through a pocket WiFi device or a tourist SIM card, and you’ll be ready to transform your trip from ordinary to extraordinary! Let’s dive into the best Japan travel apps you’ll need for your Japan trip!

Japan Travel Apps

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Navigation and Transportation Apps

Navigating Japan’s complex train and subway system can seem daunting at first, but these apps make it a breeze:

1. Google Maps

This has to be the most underrated Japan travel app! If I had to pick only one app for Japan travel, this would be it. Google maps is the ultimate navigation app and works great in Japan for walking and transit directions. It provides accurate train routes, platform numbers, and real-time updates.  And it’ll save you a lot of headache if you get lost in the rural Japanese countryside like we did on our road trip.

Pro tip: Download offline maps of the cities you’re visiting to access them without data.

2. Digital Suica and Pasmo Card

Adding a Suica or Pasmo card to your Apple Wallet is an essential thing to do before traveling to Japan. It makes using public transportation so much more convenient.

• You can easily add a Suica or Pasmo card directly through the Wallet app on your iPhone. No need to download a separate app. Just tap the “+” button and select “Transit Card”.
• Once added to your Apple Wallet, you can instantly top up your Suica/Pasmo balance anytime using a credit/debit card, right from your phone. No more worrying about finding a top-up machine or carrying cash.
• When entering and exiting train stations, simply hold your iPhone near the ticket gate reader, just like you would a physical card. The fare is automatically calculated and deducted. So quick and easy.
• You can also use your iPhone Suica/Pasmo to make purchases at many stores, vending machines, and restaurants that accept IC cards. Just look for the IC card logo and tap to pay.
• Having your Suica or Pasmo on your phone means one less physical card to carry around and potentially lose. Your iPhone is all you need to get around.

Having a digital Suica or Pasmo card to your iPhone Wallet is a game-changer for navigating Japan’s complex transit system. It saves time buying individual tickets and makes traveling the country as a whole much more seamless. Highly recommend setting it up before your trip if you have an iPhone!

Japan Travel Apps: How To Add a Suica Card to your Apple Wallet

Here are the steps to add a Suica card to your Apple Wallet:

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone. Tap the “+” button in the upper right corner.
2. Select “Transit Card” from the list of options.
3. Scroll down and choose “Suica” from the Japan transit cards section.
4. Tap “Continue” and choose the amount you want to add to your new Suica card.
5. Select the credit/debit card you want to use to fund the Suica card. Note that Visa cards issued outside Japan may not work, so it’s best to use a Mastercard or American Express if you have one in your Apple Wallet.
6. Confirm the purchase with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. The Suica card will be added to your Apple Wallet.

PRO TIP:

3. Japan Travel by Navitime

This comprehensive route search app covers trains, subways, planes, taxis, and ferries across Japan. It has useful features like the ability to search routes that are compatible with your Japan Rail Pass. The offline search function is handy for finding nearby stations, free Wi-Fi, ATMs, and more.

4. Japan Transit Planner

Another powerful Japan travel app that provides train timetables and route guidance in English. You can easily look up train connections, travel times, and fares. In addition to transit navigation, the Japan Transit Planner also provides helpful info like maps of station layouts, transfer times, and even which cars are least crowded. Great for avoiding the rush hour crush!

5. Tokyo Metro Subway Map

Navigating the Tokyo subway is simple with this app that provides a clear, interactive map of all the lines. You can search for the best route and get info on train delays.

6. Taxi Apps (Go Taxi, Didi, S.Ride)

While trains are the most efficient way to get around, sometimes you just need a taxi. These apps allow you to easily hail a cab without needing to speak Japanese. Go Taxi is the most popular, but Didi and S.Ride also work well in major cities. These can be expensive but if you’re short on time and don’t mind spending a little extra yen, then opt for a taxi.

Translation Apps

Don’t speak Japanese? No problem! These translation apps will help you communicate and understand the language:

7. Google Translate

The go-to translation app, Google Translate allows you to translate text, handwriting, speech, and even images instantly. The camera translation is a game-changer for reading signs, menus, and more. Download the Japanese language pack for offline access.

This is another Japan travel app that helped us tremendously when we were exploring the countryside in Niigata. Trust me, this app will become your best friend!

Best Japan Travel Apps: How To Download Offline Google Maps

Here’s the step-by-step instructions for downloading offline Google Maps for a specific city or country:

1. Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android phone. Make sure you are connected to the internet.
2. Use the search bar to find the place you want to download, for example, “Tokyo City” or “Japan”.
3. Tap on the name or address of the location that appears below the search bar to bring up more info about the place.
4. Tap the More button (three dots) in the top right corner.
5. Select “Download offline map” from the menu that appears.
6. You’ll see a map with a blue rectangle over the area you selected. You can zoom in and out and move the map to adjust the area you want to save for offline access.
7. The size of the downloadable area is limited – you’ll see an estimate of the file size at the bottom of the screen. Try to keep it under 500MB if possible.
8. When you’re satisfied with the area selected, tap “Download” to save the offline map to your phone.
9. You’ll now be able to access that map even when you don’t have internet access. It will automatically update every 30 days when connected to WiFi to get new map data.
10. To manage your offline maps, tap your profile icon in the app, then go to “Offline maps”. From there you can view, update, rename or delete your downloaded maps.

Some key things to keep in mind:

• You must be connected to the internet to initially download the map
• Offline maps will take up storage space on your device, so be mindful of the area you select
• Offline navigation has limitations – you won’t get real-time traffic, transit schedules, lane guidance, or walking/cycling directions
• Offline maps expire after about 30 days and need to be updated

But overall, having offline Google Maps is incredibly useful when traveling to a new city or country where you may not always have reliable internet access. It provides basic navigation and peace of mind.

8. Google Lens

This AI-powered app from Google can recognize and translate text in images in real-time through your camera. Just point it at a sign or menu and see the English translation appear like magic.

9. Voice Tra

For those times when you need to have an actual conversation, Voice Tra provides speech-to-speech translation. Speak a phrase and it will translate it out loud, making communication with locals much easier. We learned about this Japan travel app much later in our 2 months in Japan. If you love making local friends, this app is super helpful.

Food and Restaurant Apps

One of the best parts of traveling in Japan is the incredible food! These apps will help you find top-rated restaurants and order with confidence:

10. Tabelog

Known as the “Yelp of Japan”, Tabelog is the country’s largest restaurant review site with over 800,000 listings. While mostly in Japanese, you can use it to find highly-rated spots near you. Some restaurants allow reservations through the app.

11. Gurunavi

Another leading Japanese restaurant app, Gurunavi has a foreigner-friendly English interface for finding eateries by location, cuisine, and price range. You can filter for places with English menus too.

12. Ramen Beast

If you’re a ramen lover, this app is for you. Ramen Beast has in-depth reviews and photos of the best ramen shops across Japan, with maps and directions to find them easily. It’s in English too.

13. Yelp

While not as widely used as Tabelog, Yelp does have English listings and reviews for many restaurants in Japan, especially in bigger cities. The familiar interface makes it easy to use.

JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE QUICK LINKS For your convenience, we’ve organized links to hotels, tours, and resources you’ll need when traveling to Kyoto. HOTELS Top-rated hotels in Downtown Kyoto, one of the best areas to stay for first-timers in Kyoto. Luxury: Park Hyatt Kyoto or Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto Midrange: Hotel Wing International Premium Kyoto Sanjo Budget: 岩戸山ホステル / IWATOYAMA HOSTEL TOURS Food & Culture Tour: All-Inclusive 3-Hour Food and Culture Tour in Gion Sightseeing Tour: Private Tour with Local Licensed Guide Traditional Tea Ceremony: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple TRAVEL RESOURCES Flexible Travel Insurance (WWC readers get 10% off) Japan Rail Pass: 7, 14 or 21-Day Japan Rail Pass Shared Transfer: Kansai Airport to/from Osaka/Kyoto/Sakai – Shared Transfer Wifi and Sim Cards

Connectivity Apps

Stay connected during your Japan trip with these useful Wi-Fi and eSIM apps:

14. Japan Connected-Free Wi-Fi & Japan Wi-Fi Auto-connect

These official apps from the Japanese government help you find and connect to over 200,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. No more desperately searching for a connection!

15. Airalo or Tourist eSIM

Instead of renting a physical SIM card, you can easily get a prepaid eSIM data plan through an app like Airalo or Tourist e-sim and be connected as soon as you land. Just make sure your phone supports eSIM technology.

Other Essential Japan Travel Apps

Round out your app toolkit with these handy tools for a smoother trip:

16. Currency Converter

The currency converter will crunch the numbers for you and help you get out of those confusing situations when it comes to buying anything online or offline. This app helps you quickly convert currencies, ensuring you know exactly how much you’re spending. Update exchange rates regularly for the most accurate conversions.

17. GetYourGuide: Travel & Tickets

This app offers a wide range of tours, activities, and attraction tickets, all bookable in advance. Book popular activities early to secure your spot.

18. SmartEx

If you’re traveling by Shinkansen bullet train, SmartEx allows you to book and manage your seat reservations easily. You can store your tickets in the app for a seamless experience.

19. Ecbo Cloak

Lugging your suitcases around is no fun. Ecbo Cloak lets you find and reserve luggage storage locations so you can explore hands-free before checking into your hotel or after checking out.

20. Convenience Store Apps (Lawson, 7-Eleven, Family Mart)

Japan’s conbini (convenience stores) are lifesavers, selling everything from onigiri to band-aids 24/7. The major chains have apps where you can browse products, get coupons, and even order food for delivery.

21. Yurekuru Call

This Japanese app provides earthquake and tsunami warnings, evacuation information, and other disaster alerts in English. While chances are low, it’s good to be prepared.

Having these essential Japan travel apps are like superpowers for your trip to Japan! They’ll make everything way easier and more fun. With apps like Google Maps and Japan Travel by Navitime, you can zoom around on trains and buses like a pro.  And when you see a sign or menu in Japanese, just whip out Google Translate and – bam! – it’s like you can read Japanese! 

So before you head off on your awesome Japan adventure, make sure to load up your phone with these must-have apps. They’re gonna help you discover all the yummy food, cool places, and amazing things Japan has to offer. Get ready to have the best time ever exploring Japan!