Best Apps For Japan Travel

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and gaijin (foreigners) are flocking there for its delicious cuisine, ancient temples, skyscrapers, and fun nightlife. Here is a guide to some of the best apps for Japan travel on iPhone and Android.

Best Apps For Japan Travel

JAPAN GUIDE
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Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO)
If you are looking to plan your itinerary in Japan, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) is the right place to get to.

Available in English, Chinese, and Korean languages, you can find the main highlights to visit around the country, filled with detailed information such as the history, operating hours, entrance fee, and so on.

Besides, you can also search for routes using the app—such as Japan Rail (JR), subways, taxis, and ferry services.

JNTO comes with the “Safety Assistance” feature too where users will be notified when there are natural disasters or other national-level emergencies.

These handy features make JNTO among the best apps for travel to Japan.

Download here: iOS | Android | Website

Price: Free

Planning To Get A Japan Rail (JR) Pass?

A JR pass offers a time-saving, convenient, wallet-friendly approach to international visitors (like you and I), especially when you are exploring at least 3 Japanese cities or planning a 3-week stay in the country.

BOOK YOUR JR PASS NOW!
BEST JAPAN TRAVEL APP: NAVIGATION
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Google Maps
Google Maps might be the most familiar best Japan travel app among all the apps listed in this article.

This user-friendly navigation travel app allows you to save the landmarks or places that you want to visit and retrieve them later when needed.

It also shows the shortest route from one place to another, with accurate train timing, travel duration, and estimated total fare.

If you are looking for nearby eateries or convenience stores, Google Maps show their operating hours, pictures, and even reviews.

However, Google Maps requires an internet connection to work and load.

So to have peace of mind of not getting lost among the tall skyscrapers or ancient temples during your visit to Japan, it is recommended to get yourself a local sim card or portable Wi-Fi router.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free

Maps.me
Maps.me is the free, not-too-bad alternative to Google Maps where the app is still workable even when there is no internet connection.

To use Maps.me, you will have to first download the map of Japan. It will show you the places of interest that you can visit during your trip.

This app also offers travel guides to the users and you can search ATMs, restaurants, or cafes in the area.

Note: This free travel app is available in 15 languages, including English, German, and Arabic.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free & Paid Subscription

BEST APPS FOR JAPAN: TRANSPORTATION
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Hyperdia
If you are asking for a local’s recommendation for the best Japan travel app for transportation, Hyperdia would probably top the list.

Available in English, Japanese, and Chinese, Hyperdia allows you to check for the accurate timings of train departure and arrival regardless of whether you are using a JR pass or getting the individual train tickets from one station to another.

Hyperdia’s result page will show the detailed breakdown of your search request, including:

The train’s name
The departure and arrival track number
Ticket fare
Travel duration
Number of train transfers
Total travel distance
You can also personalise your filters by opting out of Nozomi and Mizuho trains—the two trains that are not covered under JR pass; a handy feature that you will be thankful for after knowing Japan has more than a dozen train operators throughout the country.

Other than providing information about train services, Hyperdia offers car rental services, recommends hotels to book, and even nearby restaurants to visit.

Hyperdia by Voice app comes with an additional feature where you can speak to the phone for your search queries, like “Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, first train”.

And yes, you can customise the search to include the trains that are covered under JR Pass with this.

One word—convenient!

However, this app version with voice software is only available to iPhone users (sorry Android users).

You will also need an internet connection to use Hyperdia, so make sure to get a local sim card or pocket Wi-Fi router to fully utilise the useful features that this Japan transportation app offers.

Download here: iOS | Android | Website

Price: Free & Paid Subscription

Japan Navitime
Japan Navitime is one of the best apps for travel to Japan for navigating around this culturally rich country.

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This useful transportation app offers detailed and comprehensive information about the country’s transportation system, map, train routes, and so much more.

Some of the searches that you can do using Japan Navitime are:

Navigation between two places in Japan
List of all public transportation modes (trains, taxis, ferries, and planes)
Free Wi-Fi spots
Train delays
Efficient route for JR pass holders
Recent saved routes to view offline
Besides, Japan Navitime also comes with travel guides and itineraries that you can refer to when you are in Japan.

Or you can create your travel plan by using the app itself.

It is worth noting that most Japan Navitime features require an internet connection to work so it is best to get a local sim card with data or a portable Wi-Fi router before your Japan touchdown.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free & Paid Subscription

Tokyo Subway Navigation
As the app name suggests, the Tokyo Subway Navigation app shows the intensive subway map in Tokyo without the need to use an internet connection.

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You can search for the shortest route between the two stations or landmarks, ticket fare, and the travel duration.

If you are not sure of the station name, fret not—you can just key in the landmark and the app will show the nearest exit to get to the place.

Besides, this travel app also shows the subway stations offering free Wi-Fi connection to passengers.

Tokyo Subway Navigation app is exceptionally helpful particularly to international travellers, where the sight of Tokyo subway networks might be slightly overwhelming to first-time visitors.

It is worth remembering that JR Lines are not included in this app.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free

Looking for unmissable things to do in Tokyo? Check out my detailed 4 Days Tokyo Itinerary to learn more!

Jorudan
Jorudan is a helpful transportation planning app that allows you to search for the train schedule and fare, including the reserved and non-reserved seats.

Besides, this app for Japan travel shows the travel duration between stations, vehicle numbers, platforms, and the shortest route to the input destination.

The one thing that I like about Jorudan is that you can also filter out the routes that are not covered by the JR pass.

Did I mention that Jorudan also shows the weather in the departure and destination areas? That is just so cool!

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free & Paid Subscription

Ecbo Cloak
Have you ever felt like ditching your luggage in a safe place to explore the city one more time before heading to the airport to bid farewell to the visiting country?

I feel it most of the time—especially when I need to check out of the hotel in the morning and I have a night flight out of the country on the last vacation day.

If you are also feeling that way, then you will have to download Ecbo Cloak into your mobile phone when you are in Japan!

Ecbo Cloak is an app that shows you the nearby luggage storage places.

You can also use the app to reserve a spot for your luggage and make payment online using a credit card—seamlessly convenient.

Generally, the storage is charged per day.

For most locations, you will be charged US$3 (300 yen) for small bags (45 cm long and under) and U$6 (600 yen) for larger bags.

If you plan to rent a storage space in a train station, the fee will be US$8 (800 yen) regardless of the luggage size.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free

Takkun
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The next best app for Japan travel that you need to consider is Takkun.

Takkun is a popular online taxi app where you can order a taxi in Tokyo effortlessly.

To book a taxi using Takkun, you will have to input your location and name. You will be given a radio number (not the vehicle plate number) of the assigned taxi upon successful order.

Note: The radio number can be seen on the taxi’s windows and doors.

Once you are in the taxi, you flash the Takkun app to the driver and show the destination address that you are going to.

As for the taxi fare, you can pay it by cash or card.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free

BEST APPS FOR TRAVEL IN JAPAN: LANGUAGE
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Imiwa
If you are looking for an offline multilingual Japanese dictionary that is similar to Google Translate, Imiwa is your best bet.

You can find the meaning of the words in English, Spanish, Russian, French, German—making it among the best apps for travel in Japan that you should not miss downloading.

Apart from that, Imiwa also offers sample sentences based on the search entry and teaches you the word pronunciation in Japanese.

So if you are looking forward to interacting with the locals using some simple Japanese words, you can definitely learn them using Imiwa.

However, this language app for Japan travel is only available for iOS users.

Download here: iOS

Price: Free

Yomiwa
Yomiwa is one of the best apps for travel to Japan that could potentially save your life from frustration and loads of time when you are exploring the country.

This Japanese offline translation travel app allows you to literally point at the road signs, menu, package labels, ATMs (you name it) and translate the wordings into English.

It also works if you upload the picture directly into the language app for translation.

You can even sharpen your Japanese language by using Yomiwa thanks to its flashcard learning feature.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free & Paid Subscription

BEST TRAVEL APPS FOR JAPAN: WI-FI
Travel Japan Wi-Fi
If you do not plan to get a Japan local sim card or pocket Wi-Fi router when visiting Japan, then the Travel Japan Wi-Fi app will be your saviour.

This Japan travel app offers more than 200 000 hotspots all over the country and allows you to connect automatically.

Travel Japan Wi-Fi also comes with a map feature that lets you search for the nearest hotspot even when you are offline.

To connect to Travel Japan Wi-Fi, you will just have to look out for blue-lettered Wi2 on your mobile gadgets and voila—free Wi-Fi connection throughout your Japan stay!

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Being said that, the one con about this travel app is that you will need to use your social media account to log in for the internet connection.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free

BEST APPS FOR TRAVEL TO JAPAN: FOOD
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GuruNavi
GuruNavi is among the first few best apps for Japan travel that you need to download into your smartphone before leaving for Japan.

This user-friendly food Japan travel app allows you to look for nearby restaurants according to your search preferences, such as cuisine types, meal budget, free Wi-Fi access, and the presence of English-speaking servers.

You can also filter the city (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc.) for the restaurant recommendations and make your plans before even getting over to that city.

However, GuruNavi does not come with a rating system—so you would not know the restaurants’ reviews at a glance.

To overcome this, you will have to Google search the restaurant online to check on the reviews instead.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free

Sushi Dictionary
If the endless delectable Japanese sushi options overwhelm you, that is okay—I have got your back.

By using Sushi Dictionary during your stay in Japan, you will be able to understand the sushi menu without any struggles and place orders like a pro!

Besides, this Japan travel food app shows the common preparation methods of the seafood for sushi, apart from listing more than 130 fish and sushi terms.

Sushi Dictionary also comes with a helpful feature where you get to see the pre-cooked and post-cooked pictures of the searched fish sushi, making this app undeniably one of the best apps for travel to Japan.

Note: Salmon sushi is the must-try sushi when you are in Japan!

However, this app for Japan travel is only available for Android users.

Download here: Android

Price: Free

Happy Cow
Happy Cow is an exceptionally useful app for vegetarian or vegan international travellers.

Among the most reliable and best apps for Japanese travel for meatless food, Happy Cow shows the locations of vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants located nearby you.

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This best Japan travel app for food also shows reviews of the eateries, making your food planning easier—especially if you plan for local non-meat food hunting all day long.

Though, it is worth noting that this app requires an internet connection to work or else getting the premium subscription for the food app to work offline.

If you plan to save on the pocket Wi-Fi router rental and premium app subscription, you can do some research on the vegetarian or vegan restaurants and screenshot their locations before getting disconnected from your hotel’s Internet connection.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free & Paid Subscription

APPS FOR JAPAN: EARTHQUAKE NOTIFIER
Yurekuru
There are quite a few Japanese earthquake apps available but the one best app for Japan travel that you need to get before you are travelling to Japan is Yurekuru.

Yurekuru is popular among the locals and visitors in Japan as the app alerts the users and provides accurate information regarding upcoming earthquakes, including the location, magnitude and its epicentre.

Note: The app is available in the English language.

Download here: iOS | Android

Price: Free & Paid Subscription

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16 BEST APPS FOR TRAVEL TO JAPAN: CONCLUSION
So here you go—the 16 best apps for travel to Japan that you need to know and consider before embarking on your journey to Japan!

These best apps for Japanese travel can improve your travel experience in Japan by allowing you to immerse into the local culture and navigate the country easily without many struggles.

Tokyo travel app

Navigation apps
Multimodal door-to-door route search

Multimodal door-to-door route search

Simply select a destination to perform a door-to-door route search. Other features include a guide to train connections and information on free Wi-Fi hotspots.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE
Tokyo subway transit search

Tokyo subway transit search

Any time, anywhere, the app makes it simple to perform offline searches of routes, travel times, and charges. The download count exceeds 1,700,000 worldwide.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE

Narita Airport navigation app “NariNAVI”

Helpful flight information, shop and restaurant search, current position and navigation at Narita International Airport.

*Temporarily unavailable

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE
Useful apps
Disaster alerts for foreign tourists

Disaster alerts for foreign tourists

The app designed for foreign tourists sends notification of earthquake alerts and tsunami warnings. Also equipped with various functions useful in a disaster.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE
Speech translation ideal for travel-related conversation

Speech translation ideal for travel-related conversation

Supports 31 Asian and European languages, and speech input for most of those including Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE
Disaster preparedness app

Disaster preparedness app

This app will give you the confidence to deal with any emergency through its three modes: “Disaster Preparedness Tokyo”, “Disaster Readiness Guide”, and “Disaster mode”.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE
Watch NHK WORLD TV live and on-demand

Watch NHK WORLD TV live and on-demand

Watch NHK WORLD TV’s news and a variety of programs live and on-demand. Please be aware that the service is free, however, data communication fees apply.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE

Accommodation apps
Search hotels nearby with just a tap

Search hotels nearby with just a tap

Search hotels by tourist destination or facility name, and sort the results by lowest price or highest review score, etc. Supports in 43 languages and show multiple currencies.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE
Convenient features for travelers

Convenient features for travelers

Book hotels and flights across the globe. The alert feature sends notification of last-minute gate changes and flight delays.

GOOGLE PLAY
APP STORE
Search and compare hotel deals from popular booking sites

Search and compare hotel deals from popular booking sites

Search your ideal hotel for the lowest price. Find the great prices from more than 1 million motels and hotels worldwide.

GOOGLE PLAY

Conclusion

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