Attention fellow traveler to Japan! If you are planning a trip to the land of the rising sun, this ultimate list of the best Japan travel apps is just what you need.
This is a collection of tried and tested apps for Japan I used on my first visit to Nippon. They were an immense help during my cherry blossom season Japan itinerary. Because, let’s face it, traveling in Japan is somewhat different.
BEST PLACES TO STAY in JAPAN:
• Be like a bee for Nine hours (my favourite capsule hotel)
• Yiyi Tokyo Disney minpaku (house close to Tokyo Disneyland)
• Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso (onsen and Mt. Fuji view!)
• Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi (the best Ryokan in Kyoto with a private onsen)
• Miyajima guest house (perfect place to stay close to Itsukushima shrine)
• Guest house Pongyi (sleep in old kimono shop!)
• Yudanaka Yasuragi (small traditional Japanese ryokan)
TOP EXPERIENCES in and around JAPAN:
• Drive a Go-Cart on Tokyo streets (super fun Super Mario for a day!)
• The ABSOLUTE BEST museum ever (TeamLab is MUST VISIT!)
• Rent a Kimono (… when in Rome Kyoto …)
• Fushimi Inari Walking Tour (Nice way to learn about Torii Gates)
• Hiroshima and Miyajima (perfect day tour!)
• Food tasting in little Kyoto (come hungry!)
• Shirakawa go Village (see traditional Japan)
• Tea ceremony (experience the art of drinking tea)
Looking for the best way to GET TO JAPAN:
• Find best flight fares to Japan
• Having a Japan Rail Pass is the best way to travel around Japan
When visiting Japan, you will be faced with a new culture, a new (unfamiliar) language and writing system, and different food and customs. My selection of useful apps in Japan will not only make your trip stress-free but will also help you to overcome all those unfamiliar ‘differences’.
Because let’s be real, getting lost in translation is only fun for so long. But with the best apps for Japan travel you will conquer the language barrier, navigate the Japanese public transport system like a pro, and get your luggage to your next hotel.
Japan apps will help you choose the best ramen, find the best sushi, select the best tour, and alarm you about possible disasters. Like earthquakes and what to do during an earthquake. They will make your Japan adventure easier to navigate.
Now, get your phone ready to download the best travel apps for Japan.
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
best apps for travel to Japan
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● If you are planning a trip to Japan there handy Japan travel apps will make your time in Nippon much easier. From the ones used by locals, to ‘traditional’ Google Maps and Google translate, official travel app in Japan, to the ones for transport options and natural disasters.
● Use the apps for bullet trains, when walking around the city, trying to understand kanji or when using uber, taxi and Suica card.
● Download them from the app store, and keep using them with Airalo eSim.
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Quick guide to best apps for traveling in Japan
If you are in a hurry, here is a list of best Japan travel apps you need for Japan trip.
Some will come in handy all across Japan, and other only in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. You can find detailed descriptions with links to download apps in the article below.
General: Japan Official Travel App and Japan Travel by NAVITIME
Tours and travel guides: Japan Travel Guide Offline and GetYourGuide
Navigation: Google Maps and Maps.Me
Transportation: Rome2rio, HyperDia, Norikae Annai – Japan Transit Planner, Tokyo Metro Subway Map & Route, Arukumachi KYOTO Route Planner
Language: Google Translate, Omotenashi Guide, VoiceTra
Internet connection: Travel Japan Wi-Fi
Luggage: Ecbo Clak
Food: GuruNavi, Tabelog, Ramen Beast, HappyCow
Nature: Weather Japan, Yurekuru App, Sakura no Kimochi
Best apps for travel to Japan
GENERAL apps for Japan travel
Japan Official Travel App
Price: Free
Languages: English, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Korean
Download: iOS | Android | Website
An official smartphone app ‘Japan Official Travel App’ is at the top of the list of apps to use in Japan. It was created by Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).
It is a must-download app if you are traveling to Japan for the first time. It is full of useful travel tips, that helps you plan and navigate your trip to Japan safely and comfortably.
The app includes travel guide articles, tourist spot info, maps, and route search. Route search is compatible will all public transportation lines, including Japan Rail Pass. Inside the app you can search for free Wi-Fi hotspots, tourist info centers, and hospitals. The amazing thing is that you can even use it offline.
THINKING ABOUT GETTING JAPAN RAIL PASS?
The best way to travel around Japan is by using Japan rail service. There is 7, 14, and 21 day Japan Rail Pass. JR Pass is super convenient, time-saving, and usually a cheaper option than buying individual train tickets.
Don’t forget!
JR Pass is only available to tourists so it is essential that you buy or order your Japan Rail pass BEFORE coming to Japan.
Japan Travel by NAVITIME
Price: Free + In-App Purchases
Languages: English, Korean, Chinese (13 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Another must-have app is Japan Travel by NAVITIME. It is a pocket guidebook app, with detailed information about transport, money, food, art and culture, nightlife, and shopping, which are all available for different areas around Japan.
Its route search feature will help you plan your trip from point A to point B, using different types of public transport. Amazing thing is that it gives you info like platform number, station and time. It shows train stations so you actually know if you are going in the right direction.
It also has the option to show trains covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
The Navitime app also helps you find free WiFi sports, ATMs, and currency exchange offices. You can also book hotels, activities and rental cars. You can add points of interest on your itinerary, and view your travel plan on a map.
TOURS AND TRAVEL GUIDE apps for traveling in Japan
Japan Travel Guide Offline
Price: Free + In-App Purchases
Languages: English, French, German, Italian (7 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android
As the name suggests, Japan Travel Guide Offline works without an internet connection. With this app, you can access information about Tokyo, Kyoto, Sapporo and other locations around Japan.
You can browse through guides, Japan phrase lists, and search for restaurants and hotels. You can look at metro maps, and create custom lists of interests. You can add places to favorites and learn about local costs. All of this is available offline.
App is location-based and will suggest articles related to your current location. It works great with Maps.me app. There is a free version, but if you wish more info you can upgrade to the full version with more amazing features.
GetYourGuide
Price: Free
Language: English, Danish, French, German, Italian (14 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
GetYourGuide is a must-have travel app! Not only when traveling in Japan but everywhere else in the world as well. It offers more than 60,000 tours, tickets, and activities, where anyone can find something for themselves.
This ultimate in-destination travel app is perfect for any type of traveler. For a solo female travelers, couples, and families. They offer private tours, airport transfers, group activities, seasonal tours like cherry blossom, day trips, tours for foodies and more.
Inside the app you can add activities to your wish list, receive instant confirmations and read reviews from previous guests. App offers offline availability of upcoming bookings, vouchers, and contact details. You can access all the tours via their website as well!
Best Japan travel apps for NAVIGATION
Google Maps
Price: Free
Language: English, Danish, French, German, Italian (37+ altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Google Maps is the #1 Navigation map on Apple iOS and has more than 10 billion downloads. Consequently, it is one of the most downloaded apps on this list.
This is one of the essential travel apps most of you already have installed on your mobile phone and are already using even in your home country. I love it! Before every travel I download Google Maps to work offline. Do that for the map of Japan. If you don’t you will have to use wifi for the app to work properly.
Besides the ‘usual’ stuff like calculating distances, bus stops, train stops and route suggestions, this supreme navigation app has other tricks up its sleeve. You can use it to find groceries, restaurants, hotels, parks, gas stations, and attractions.
It is easy to use, fast, accurate, user-friendly travel app with real-time updates that every traveler should have on their phone. It also allows you to share your itinerary and points of interest with others.
STAY CONNECTED WITH POCKET WIFI or ESIM
Pocket wifi is the best, cheapest, and most convenient option to stay connected everywhere in Japan. There are free Wi-Fi zones but, trust me, you might need to search for something online when least expected. I can confirm it is great!
Don’t forget!
Pocket Wifi needs to be ordered BEFORE coming to Japan. It will be delivered to your hotel or you can pick it up at the airport! When leaving you will simply mail it back.
Another option is to get Airalo eSim. With it you will avoid roaming charges, and will be able to use all the apps from the list even outside free WIFI zones or when the one in hotels will be too slow.
Maps.Me
Price: Free + In-App Purchases
Language: English, French, German, Italian (29+ altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Maps.me is another navigational travel app that holds first spot amongst offline maps apps. It is not a substitute or a replacement for Google maps. I use it more like an add-on to Google maps. They live in harmony and complement each other, like peanut butter and jelly.
An amazing feature of Maps.me is that it works offline. But before that, you will have to download the map of the area you are traveling to. In this case Japan. I love using Maps.Me in Seychelles, especially when going on hikes in Praslin or La Digue.
Besides using map features and distances, this travel app also has travel guides and shows restaurants and cafes in the area. Before leaving on a trip, make sure to import Google maps pins into your Maps.me.
TRANSPORTATION apps to use in Japan
Rome2rio
Price: Free
Language: English, French, German, Italian (6 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Just like I use Google Maps everywhere I go, I use Rome2rio app everywhere I travel for transportation. Based on the destination I then combine this app with destination-specific apps.
Rome2rio app is an amazing travel planning app that will show you route options, time to get there, a form of transport used for that route, and an estimated price. Great when traveling in Mexico, exploring Sydney, traveling in Italy, or finding a ride in Bali.
This app includes more than 160 countries and covers busses, trains, rental cars, ferries, and flights. You can choose any starting point and the Rome2rio will do the rest.
Hyperdia
Price: Free + In-App Purchases
Language: English, Japanese, Chinese
Download: iOS | Website
HyperDia is a website or an app available in three languages. It is an essential app to use in Japan for planning your rail trip around Japan. It is extremely useful for JR Pass users. This was my most used app while in Japan. (Not counting Google translate.)
Hyperdia is Alfa and Omega of Japan rail travel. It is perfect if you are traveling in Japan using bullet trains with Japan Rail Pass or if you have to buy train tickets that are not covered under JR Pass.
You select your departure and arrival point, and HyperDia will give you a list of train information, prices, and average journey times. Hyperdia is great also to calculate the cost of single train journeys compared to the JR Pass.
Do note that Japan Rail Pass is NOT valid on Nozomi trains, offered in HyperDia but (for now) you can select only JR Pass trains. Which is extremely convenient and easy for travelers!
Their iOS app has a voice search feature and offers in-app purchases. They don’t have an app for Android users. But don’t be upset! To be honest, Hyperida works best on a desktop or on your phone browser. Or you can use an alternative, already mentioned NAVITIME.
Norikae Annai – Japan Transit Planner
Price: Free + In-App Purchases
Language: English, French, German (13 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Norikae Annai is the most downloaded transit planner app in Japan. It is known also by the name Jorudan from the developer. It does what the name suggests – it helps you to plan your travel when using public transport system in Japan.
Transit planner works similarly to Hyperdia. Type in your departure and arrival train station in a browser or inside an app. You will then get route options, with departure times, journey duration, price, and type of transport (train, plane, ferry, bus).
You can further sort results by time, fare, and changes. Great thing about the app is that it shows you the weather forecast on both stations and a train stop list for your convenience. Japanese people are prepared for everything.
Tokyo Metro Subway Map & Route
Price: Free + In-App Purchases
Language: English, French, German (11 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
When visiting the capital of Japan, Tokyo Metro Subway Map & Route app is the one for you. Tokyo has more than 37 million people, so you can only imagine how complex and intense its metro system is. Pair that with crowds and unfamiliar language and you get yourself into a challenge.
A really helpful thing about the Tokyo Subway app is that it works offline. That is right, you don’t need to have Wi-Fi to use it but it still works better with it! On the flip side, it doesn’t show the options that would include only the JR Pass lines.
This is an easy-to-use and simple app that helps you with Tokyo subway navigation and shows you the best routes between point A and point B. You will need to buy Suica card for it. It also shows time you need to get there, closest exit, landmarks nearby … all the useful things to know when you find yourself wandering around in the largest city in the world.
Arukumachi KYOTO Route Planner
Price: Free
Language: English, Japanese, Korean (5 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Arukumachi KYOTO is a transportation app to use in Japan when visiting the cultural capital Kyoto. It helps to with planning routes when visiting various sites in Kyoto. From Kinkakuji, Fushimi Inari, Bamboo grove and others.
It is a basic route planning app that combines Kyoto city rail and bus routes. It shows travel times and fares. You select your point of departure and destination and the app will do the rest. When using an app with location service it will show you the nearest station.
Based on the search term, the app will also show you the walking routes and detailed station maps. So you won’t get lost, like yours truly, because I just could comprehend that train stations are on different floors, and underground! I felt like being trapped in an ant nest.
LANGUAGE apps for travel to Japan
Google Translate
Price: Free
Language: 249+ languages
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Google Translate is another travel app that can be used everywhere. I personally use it on all my travels. When in Tanzania to learn what Swahili words mean, when in Mexico to help with my not-the-best Spanish, when in Italy, in Japan and other places.
I’m sure you are familiar with this language app already. The most obvious feature is, that it will help you translate the Japanese language into your own one. But the absolute best feature is that it can translate the text using ‘camera translation’.
All you have to do is to open the app, point your camera toward the Japanese written sign and Google translate will do the rest. Hello English menus in Japan! It also translates text from the photos on your camera roll. And it also works offline, when you download the language pair on your phone.
Omotenashi Guide
Price: Free
Language: English, French, German (13 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Omotenashi Guide is not a language app per se but it will help you with the problems of the language barrier. It is a voice translation app, designed to help you understand Japanese announcements. The ones on train stations, shopping malls, airports, theme parks, busses , etc.
The use of it is simple. Open an app when you hear the announcement. Omotenashi will then translate it into the text of your desired language. It transforms voice messages in Japanese into a foreign language text.
It works without an internet connection, but you will have to give it permission to use the microphone and location service.
VoiceTra
Price: Free
Language: English, French, Spanish (32 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
VoiceTra is a language translation app that translates speech into another language. It is a perfect app for all travelers, it supports 31 languages, and can be used for free. Although, to make VoiceTra work you will need an Internet connection.
The app translates in both ways. From English to Japanese and vice versa. It also offers text input. VoiceTra is great for simple, everyday conversations that you may encounter. Perfect to conquer language barrier. It allows instant switching between two languages.
Use it when buying admission tickets, asking for a direction, when on a train or bus, while shopping, or when checking in at a hotel.
INTERNET app for travel in Japan
Travel Japan Wi-Fi
Price: Free
Language: English, Japanese, Korean (6 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Travel Japan Wi-Fi is the ultimate app for finding free wifi in Japan. It is a great app if you are not planning to buy your pocket wifi (I highly recommend ordering one), an eSim card or a local Japan sim card.
This app offers a map of more than 200.000 hotspots around Japan and connects automatically to one of them. From Tokyo, Narita, Osaka and other places in Japan.
You can combine this app and use free wifi hotspots even when you have an eSIM or pocket Wifi to save a bit on your data consumption. Search for Wi2 in blue letters and yellow circles at the back (like a target). This is a Wire&Wireless sign for a free WiFi in Japan.
LUGGAGE app for travel in Japan
Ecbo Cloak
Price: Free
Language: English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese
Download: iOS | Android | Website
With Ecbo Cloak you’ll be able to move between cities with all your luggage but still want to do some sightseeing in between. I used this a lot during my 17 days Japan itinerary – in Miyajima, Hiroshima, Nagano, Matsumoto, Shirakawa-go and others.
This app will tell you of the places nearby, where you can store your luggage. Storing luggage makes you travel stress-free, and sightseeing lighter. You can store your bags for a couple of hours, a whole day, or multiple days.
To avoid any surprises, you can even make reservations so you know that an empty storage room will be waiting for you. They are available at train stations, cafes, post offices and even hair salons. You can expect to pay from 400 yen/bag/day.
FOOD apps for traveling to Japan
GuruNavi
Price: Free
Language: English, Japanese
Download: iOS | Android | Website
If you love to indulge in a delicious food you might have already heard about GuruNavi. It is a popular app for food in Japan, even by locals. It works like a search engine for an area in Japan, based on the cuisine type you feel like eating.
With this gourmet navigator you can choose between sushi, okonomiyaki, izakaya, dining bars, curry, noodles, modern or traditional japanese cuisine and others. You can even choose western cuisine, Italian, Chinese, French organic, or Halal.
When you find a restaurant you like, it will give you all the info about their opening hours, menu, prices, if they have Wi-Fi, if the servers there speak English and the nearest train station. You can also filter it by the city.
It comes with a map and restaurant locations which makes it easier for you to find it. Keep in mind that the app has a glitch sometimes and it is hard to switch the language back to English. If this happens, just use a website to find your favorite Japanese food.
Tabelog
Price: Free
Language: English, Japanese
Download: iOS | Website
Tabelog is the best restaurant tool and a comprehensive restaurant search guide in Japan. What Japan food app GuruNavi is for food, Tabelog is best app for restaurants in Japan. It is popular Japan food rating app like TripAdvisor and Google reviews all in one.
You can search for restaurants via cities or by type. When choosing one by cities, the app will show you top 3 restaurants for various categories. When you select a restaurant, it will show you daytime and night time prices, when they have tables available and show it on the map.
Restaurant reviews are really precise as they have a fierce rating system. If you find a restaurant with 3 consider it good! Anything above 4 or higher is excellent and beyond.
App is available for iOS but not for Android users. You can still use the website version, which I found it is easier to use.
Ramen beast
Price: Free
Language: English
Download: iOS | Website
Ramen beast app is the one for the delicious world of ramen in Tokyo, Japan. This is a foodie’s guide to the best ramen shops you can find in Japan, and will tell you the best miso, spicy, plus the ones that are open late.
It is a really easy and simple-to-use app. It will point you to the best ramen shop based on your preferences. You can choose between 700 ramen shops in Tokyo, get recommendations of the best ramen bowl in specific shops, and also learn about the history of the chef.
Ramen beast is an amazing app but unfortunately, it is only available for iOS users. If you have Android use the Website version to find a delicious bowl of noodles.
Happy Cow
Price: Paid
Language: English, German, Italian (12 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
If you are a vegan or vegetarian Happy Cow app is for you. It is the app to find vegan and vegetarian food restaurants around the world. Happy cow has a base of 180.000 restaurants and cafes in over 180+ countries. And also in Japan.
You can search for meatless and animal-free food plates via filters and choose the best one for you with the help of reviews or more than a million uploaded photos. App will show you the location of the cafes on a map, the price, and the opening time.
Do note that the app will need an internet connection to work properly, so think about ordering a pocket wi-fi or a sim card. Or screenshot you favorite restaurant while using free travel Japan Wi2.
NATURE apps to have in Japan
Weather Japan
Price: Free
Language: English, German, Italian (11 altogether)
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Weather Japan is a weather forecast app for tourists in Japan. The information inside the app is provided by Japan Weather Association so it will be more accurate than the general weather app. All dates and times inside the app are set in Japan standard time.
Inside the app you can look for weather forecast up to 48h in the future. You can weather search for a place by its name or on a map. App will show you weather conditions and temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Weather Japan app also displays sunrise/sunset times.
You will need an internet connection for this app to work.
Yurekuru App
Price: Free + In-App Purchases
Language: English, Japanese
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Welcome to Japan! Welcome to the west side of the Ring of Fire. An area where the majority of earthquakes happen in the World. That is why it is recommended to know what to do during an earthquake and to have Yurekuru App downloaded on your mobile phone.
Yurekuru is the best and most popular earthquake alert app in Japan. It provides the most accurate information about the possibilities of when and where the earthquake will occur. They include location, magnitude, and epicenter.
Do note that Japan is one of the most prepared and organized countries. This app can make you feel safer. If an earthquake does occur, follow the lead of the locals, and Stop, Drop, Cover, and Hold on.
Sakura no Kimochi
Price: Free
Language: Japanese
Download: iOS | Android | Website
Sakura no Kimochi is a great app, especially useful at the time of the cherry blossom season. It shows you the status of the cherry blossoms, expected flowering, and full bloom dates for more than 1000 famous viewing spots in Japan!
This is a free app and will let you know the forecasted dates for cherry blossoms all around Japan. It will show you the map of Japan with expected cherry blossom dates, when the trees will begin to bloom, and the time of full bloom.
The app only comes in Japanese language, which is not ideal. Make sure you have a translating extension turned on or use the website version of the app.
➤ Read more Japan travel guides
Did you enjoy this guide about best Japan travel apps and all the useful apps in Japan that will make visiting sites in Japan easier?
If so, check out my posts below!
• Japan itinerary – How to spend perfect 2 weeks in Japan
• How to visit Fushimi Inari – Useful guide if heading to Kyoto
• 10 Best Japan Cherry blossom tours – Visit best sakura spots hassle free
• Top 5 Ramen tours in Tokyo – Find your favorite flavor of ramen
• Japan phrases for tourists – Learn the basics Japanese travel phrases
• 23 Best app for travel to Japan – From maps, food guides, transport and more
• Japan captions for Instagram (+ Hashtags) – Perfectly caption your trip
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