Best Apps For Japan

Japan is a country of surprises. It can be baffling, disturbing, and completely overwhelming if you don’t embrace it. In this blog post, we have collected 11 apps that will help you make sense of Japan: what to do, what to eat, how to get there… Be prepared in advance so you can make the most of your trip.

Best Apps For Japan !

Hyperdia: the essential transportation app
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Hyperdia is at the top of any list of Japan travel apps. This is a Japanese app, developed for commuters and tourists in Japan. It is available in English, Japanese and Chinese. Hyperdia lets you choose your departure and arrival stations as well as the time of travel.

What is more, there is a special search filter, which allows for the personalization of the search results. All Japan Rail Pass holders should be aware that Nozomi and Mizuho trains are not part of the national JR Group and therefore are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Useful tip: Make sure to deselect Nozomi and Mizuho trains from your search filter. This will make the results even more accurate. You can customize each search through the “More options” button.

Once you have specified from where to where you want to go (town or station), click Search. You will be redirected to the results page which will show you:

hyperdia route result
The departing hours
Your departure and arrival track number
The name of your train
How much it will cost (Japan Rail Pass holders ride all JR trains for free)
Additional information on maps, hotels, restaurants and rent-a-car services in the area
How long will the journey take
How many transfers you will have (if 0, it is still shown)
The total distance in kilometers
Hyperdia can be easily accessed from your computer, tablet or Android phone (for iOS see below).

Hyperdia by Voice
Hyperdia by voice
Hyperdia by Voice is equal to the standard Hyperdia app. The only difference is that this version is currently only available to iPhone users. If you have an iPhone, use Hyperdia by Voice for queries like “Kyoto station to Yokohama station, first train”.

The voice recognition software of the app will set the parameters of your search automatically and will provide you with direct and quick access to the train timetable information you asked for. This is a very handy app for all first-timers in Japan and especially for those who are looking for an easy navigational service in English.

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Japan Navitime
Navitime for Japan is another popular navigation app option. Apart from providing detailed information about the world’s most complex metropolis (Tokyo), it also generates:

Door-to-door route search
Voice navigation
New offline search for free WiFi spots
A train stop list that will help you confirm you are headed in the correct direction
Train delay information
Recent routes saved for offline searches
This app is very useful, however, make sure to have an internet connection to be able to take the most of it. If you are looking for some great connectivity options for your stay in Japan, nothing better than a Pocket Wi-Fi device, which can get connected to a total of 10 devices simultaneously.

Jorudan
Jorudan Co., LTD. is a Japanese company, which has developed an easy-to-use transport app called Japan Transit Planner. Below you can see a screenshot of the PC version and the type of information it provides.

Jorudan search results
Jorudan search results
As you can see, this app tells you the distance, fare, type of seat on the train (reserved, non-reserved), including any surcharges that may apply. You are also given information about the duration of the trip and the total price, in case you travel without a Japan Rail Pass.The Jorudan app is available for both iOS and Android system. However, unlike the first two apps described in this article, Jordan has no free version. It costs approximately $4 to download it.

The Jorudan app is available for both iOS and Android system. However, unlike the first two apps, described in this article, Jordan has no free version. It costs approximately $4 to download it.

Google Maps
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Google Maps is one of the oldest and best-known transportation apps. Similar to the apps we’ve seen so far, the new Maps will guide you through any city, town, village or area in Japan, by showing all the optimal routes, available at the moment of your inquiry.

By clicking Details you will see the name of your train (in this example Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen is the bullet train line) and the time it will take you to get to your selected final destination. The displayed cost is only valid for those who do not hold a Japan Rail Pass. The biggest advantage of this app is that it is more visual regarding location. Apart from your destination station, you can easily see nearby restaurants, parks, bars and more.

Tripadvisor
“Things to do in Nara” by Tripadvisor
“Things to do in Nara” by Tripadvisor
Now that you know everything about how to get from one place to another in Japan, it’s time to learn how to find the best restaurants, hotels, and attractions. Tripadvisor is a top-rated app, used by millions of people all over the world. If you are using to it in your own country, no doubt you will use it while in Japan as well. It is available for Android and iOS.

Tripadvisor gives you personalised options about:

Places near you
Hotels
Flights
Restaurants
Things to do
Holiday rentals
Destination guides
Forums
Having all of this information at the tip of your fingers will surely make a difference. Select your preferred food, price limit, personal interests and start discovering. The app is completely free of charge. However, you will need an internet connection to access it. Apart from the amazing Pocket Wi-Fi option, you can also order a Data SIM card (internet only) that will give you direct access to the fastest internet connection available in Japan.

GuruNavi
Gurunavi app
Gurunavi is a great and easy to use restaurant-finder app. It lets you select your prefecture (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc.) and the area where you are.

Once you have selected where you want to eat, the app shows you restaurants search results by cuisine such as:

Sushi/Seafood
Okonomiyaki/Takoyaki
Yakiniku (BBQ)
Izakaya (Typical Japanese pub)
Dining bars / beer halls
Furthermore, there are some quite useful filters such as:

Places with English-speaking staff
All you can eat/drink offers
Places with free Wi-Fi access
Family-recommended
Non-smoking restaurants

Best apps for living in japan

Japan Travel by NAVITIME
Japan Travel by NAVITIME is for iOS and for Android. This app will help you travel around Japan. The futures: Explore (Travel guides/articles), Route Search, Map – offline Spot Search, Plan. You can also go to the website to surf around. This is a must app for traveling in Japan.

Japan Travel Guide by Triposso
Japan Travel Guide by Triposo is for iOS and Android, it offers great offline travel guide resources as well as a detailed offline map that allows you to find your way when traveling through Japan. It also allows for booking hotel rooms directly within the app, though please note that you need to be connected to the Internet, either over WiFi or cellular data connection.

DiGJAPAN! – Traveler’s Guide
DiGJAPAN! is the other option for a free app and a great resource for iOS and Android both users, it provides offline maps and travel guides for people traveling in Japan. You can download it free at iTunes and get Sightseeing Information, Navigation function, Wi-Fi Hotspot Search, Basic Travel Information, and more. Offline functionality of the app will free you from scurrying to find internet connection.

Japan Transit Planner
If you need help getting around using public transportation in Japan, Japan Transit Planner is a great resource, this app is available for iOS and for Android. It provides searchable train routes and station timetables.

GuruNavi – Finding Restaurants in Japan
GuruNavi is the ultimate restaurant finder for Japan. The app in English is available for iOS and for Android both. You can also visit their website. It’s easy to search for restaurants based on your present location or any number of criteria, including cuisine type, price, reviews.

Conclusion

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