Travelling to Japan is an experience like no other. From its rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology to its stunning natural landscapes, Japan has something for everyone. But with so much to see and do, navigating the country can be overwhelming. That’s where travel apps come in. These digital tools can simplify your trip, making it more enjoyable and stress-free. In this article, we’ll explore the top five categories of Japanese travel apps that you must have to make the most of your visit.
Essential Travel Apps
Train, Taxi and Payment Apps: NAVITIME, Jorudan, GO and Suica
Understanding Japan’s Public Transport
Japan’s public transport system is known for its efficiency and punctuality, but it can be a bit daunting for first-time visitors. With numerous train lines, buses, and intricate routes, finding your way around can be challenging. Fortunately, navigation apps can help you make sense of it all.
Paying for all those journeys is simpler with a Suica card on your phone. On an iPhone 8 or later, you can add a new Suica to Apple Wallet, top it up with Apple Pay and tap through ticket gates and pay in shops, according to Apple’s own setup guide.
Japan Travel by NAVITIME, Japan Transit Planner and GO Taxi
Japan Travel by NAVITIME is free on iPhone and Android. Its route search covers trains including JR and subway lines, planes, taxis and ferries, shows platform numbers and timetables, and has a Japan Rail Pass mode that finds the best route for pass holders. Paid features add alternative routes when your line is disrupted and voice navigation.
Japan Transit Planner by Jorudan is the multilingual version of Norikae Annai, one of Japan’s most used route apps. Enter two stations and it gives you the route, fare and journey time by rail or air, using timetables for stations across the country. It is free with in-app purchases on the App Store and Google Play.
For taxis, download GO, which its maker says is the most used taxi app in Japan. It is free, covers all 47 prefectures, and visitors can now sign up with a non-Japanese mobile number. Find it on the App Store or Google Play.
Saved Routes and Offline Spot Search
Patchy signal is less of a worry with Japan Travel by NAVITIME. It saves up to 50 recently searched routes that you can open offline, and its offline spot search finds free Wi-Fi hotspots, currency exchange counters, ATMs, tourist information centres and train stations without a data connection.
Translation Apps: Google Translate and iTranslate
Language Barriers in Japan
While Japan is a highly modern country, many locals speak limited English, which can be a hurdle for non-Japanese speakers. Language aid apps can bridge this gap, making your interactions smoother and more enjoyable.
Google Translate and iTranslate
Google Translate and iTranslate are popular choices, offering instant text and speech translation. Both are free to download, and iTranslate, which adds in-app purchases, also has a custom phrasebook and an offline mode. These apps are invaluable when ordering food, asking for directions or chatting with the people you meet, which makes them some of the most useful Japanese travel apps.
Phrasebooks and Pronunciation Guides
Beyond basic translation, some apps provide extensive phrasebooks and pronunciation guides. Websites like Japanese Phrasebook help you learn key phrases and correct pronunciations, helping you communicate more effectively and respectfully.
Culture Guides and the Safety tips Disaster Alert App
Etiquette and Local Customs
Understanding and respecting local culture is crucial when travelling, and Japan is no exception. A good culture guide explains Japan’s heritage, traditional practices and everyday etiquette, so you know what to expect before you arrive.
Travel Guides Inside Japan Travel by NAVITIME
Japan Travel by NAVITIME doubles as a reading list. Its Explore section carries guides and articles by foreign writers living in Japan, covering transport, money, food, art and culture, nightlife and shopping, along with suggested itineraries for areas across the country. Any place that catches your eye can be added to your own day by day plan and viewed on a map.
Audio Guides and Interactive Maps
Many cultural apps feature audio guides and interactive maps. These tools give you an immersive experience, guiding you through attractions while narrating their historical significance. This feature is particularly useful in places like Kyoto and Nara, where historical sites are abundant.
Safety tips: Earthquake and Weather Alerts From the Japan Tourism Agency
Japan has frequent earthquakes and a yearly typhoon season, so Safety tips is worth installing before you fly. It is a free app developed under the supervision of the Japan Tourism Agency, and it sends Earthquake Early Warnings, tsunami, volcanic and weather warnings, heat illness warnings and civil protection alerts for up to five places in Japan that you choose. It works in 15 languages, including English, and is on the App Store and Google Play.
Food and Activity Apps: Tabelog, Rakuten Gurunavi and Klook
Local Favourites Beyond the Guidebooks
To truly experience Japan like a local, you need to step off the beaten path. Apps that focus on local experiences can help you find hidden gems and unique spots that are not typically listed in mainstream travel guides.
Tabelog and Rakuten Gurunavi Restaurant Guides
Tabelog describes itself as Japan’s leading restaurant search, review and booking service, with more than 800,000 restaurants listed. Its English app is free on the App Store and Google Play. Rakuten Gurunavi has an English website for searching restaurants by area or cuisine and booking a table. These recommendations are often based on user reviews and local insights, ensuring you get an authentic experience. Okawari Travels is also offering a tour in Tokyo for handpicked local recommendations. Check them out here.
User Reviews and Ratings
These apps usually include detailed reviews and ratings from other diners, helping you make informed decisions. Whether you’re looking for the best sushi in town or a cosy café, you can check the community’s feedback first.
Klook and Rakuten Travel Experiences
Some apps also allow you to book local tours and activities directly. Klook and Rakuten Travel Experiences (formerly Voyagin) are useful for finding and booking experiences such as tea ceremonies, sumo wrestling matches or guided city tours.
Downtime Apps: Neko Atsume, Karaoke and Arcades
Downtime Between Sightseeing Days
Sightseeing days in Japan can be long, and sometimes you need to unwind. Entertainment apps give you easy ways to relax and have fun during your downtime.
Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector by Hit-Point
For those long train rides or evenings in your hotel, Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector from Japanese developer Hit-Point is a gentle game about leaving out food and toys to attract visiting cats. It is free on the App Store and Google Play, with optional in-app purchases.
Karaoke, Theatres and Arcades
If you’re looking to explore local entertainment, search Google Maps for karaoke, theatres or game centres near you to see opening hours, photos and reviews. That gives you plenty of options for a fun night out, whether you’re singing your heart out at karaoke or enjoying a live performance.
By leveraging these top categories of Japanese travel apps, you can navigate the country more easily, communicate more effectively, deepen your cultural understanding, uncover local treasures, and entertain yourself during your trip. Each category offers unique tools to enhance your travel experience, ensuring that your visit to Japan is as enjoyable and enriching as possible. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, these apps are indispensable companions for your Japanese adventure. If you are interested in dating in Japan, you can also check out our article on the best dating apps in Japan.
Japan Travel Apps: Common Questions
- What is the best app for navigating Japan’s public transport?
- Japan Travel by NAVITIME and Japan Transit Planner by Jorudan both give routes, fares and timetables in English, and NAVITIME has a Japan Rail Pass mode for pass holders.
- How can I overcome the language barrier in Japan?
- Using apps like Google Translate and iTranslate can help you with instant text and speech translation.
- Are there apps that provide cultural insights about Japan?
- Yes. Japan Travel by NAVITIME includes guides and articles on food, art and culture, nightlife and shopping by foreign writers living in Japan.
- What apps can help me find local experiences in Japan?
- Tabelog and Rakuten Gurunavi help you find and book restaurants, and Klook lists tours and activities.
- Is there an app that warns visitors about earthquakes in Japan?
- Yes. Safety tips, a free app developed under the supervision of the Japan Tourism Agency, sends earthquake, tsunami and weather warnings in English and 14 other languages.
- How can I entertain myself during my travels in Japan?
- Neko Atsume is a relaxing game for train journeys, and a Google Maps search will point you to karaoke, theatres and game centres nearby.
