If you’re looking for some handy Japan travel apps, here are the ones we use most when travelling in Japan.
Let’s start with a little disclaimer. There are only two apps that I can’t travel to Japan without: Google Maps and Google Translate. If you have these, you’re already most of the way towards an easy, stress-free trip to Japan.
However, we all like a bit of technological support every now and then. All of the apps below can make your trip easier or more memorable, and have been tried and tested by our team on their travels around Japan. They’re all available on both Apple and Android unless otherwise indicated.
Photo by Chris Captures
Here are the best apps for travelling in Japan:
If you’re only going to use one app in Japan, it should be Google Maps. I love planning my trips with Google Maps, but it’s so much more than a great planning tool. It’s a comprehensive tool for public transport in Japan.
In addition to directions, Google Maps includes train times, platform information and even recommends which train car to ride in for an easy transfer. In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, this up-to-date public transport information makes travelling so much easier.
There are many other navigation apps, but Google Maps is the only one I use. I’ve never had any issues with Google Maps in all my visits to Japan, whether I’m travelling in the city or somewhere off the beaten path.
From the screenshots below, you can see how easy it is to understand and use Google Maps. It shows you the best station, train line, and carriage for your journey, as well as the time of the next train in case you miss it. On top of that, it also shows you how much your journey will cost!
Travelling in Japan without knowing the language may seem daunting, but it’s much easier than you may think. I didn’t speak any Japanese during my first few trips to Japan and translation apps helped me through those trips without any issues. Even after some Japanese classes, I still use Google Translate.
There are many translation apps to choose from, but it’s best to just pick one and stick with it. I’m a big fan of Google Translate, but Papago is another option I’ve used before. They’ve both proved helpful during my travels in Japan.
Google Translate is my go-to translation app because of its camera feature. You can open the app, scan menus or signs and get a real-time translation. It’s not flawless, but it’s much better than staring at the Japanese without having a clue what it means. Since English support is not guaranteed at restaurants, local sights or on public transportation, this feature can be a lifesaver.
While it’s not quite the same as downloading an app, an IC card is one of the most useful things you can add to your phone in Japan.
IC cards are a pre-paid, rechargeable travel card that you can use on public transport in Japan. There are a few different regional varieties, but the main ones are Suica and Pasmo in the Tokyo area and Icoca in Kyoto and Osaka. They all offer the same service – a card you can add money onto and use on public transport, vending machines and certain shops.
Instead of buying separate tickets for every train journey, you can use an IC card to simply tap in and out at every station. The card will automatically take off the correct fare, saving you a lot of hassle.
You can buy a physical Suica card at train stations across Tokyo, but you can also add a mobile Suica to your Apple or Google Wallet. With the mobile Suica, you can top up directly on your phone and use your phone to tap in and out at stations.
The mobile Suica makes travelling so much easier, especially since you can only top up the physical card with cash. Getting a physical card can be tricky as there have been shortages in recent years, but you won’t need one if you have a mobile Suica card in your wallet app.
LINE is the go-to messaging app in Japan. Pretty much everyone you meet during your travels in Japan will be on LINE, from schoolchildren to salarymen and everyone in between.
If you have Japanese friends or want to chat with locals, this is the app to download. Global messaging apps like WhatsApp haven’t taken off in Japan, so it’s better to get LINE if you’re hoping to keep in touch with the people you meet.
Once you’re set up on LINE, you can add friends by their ID, phone number or the app’s QR function. You can also indulge in one of LINE’s unique pleasures and start curating your own sticker collection from the cute, goofy and downright bizarre creations on the LINE Sticker Shop.
Since earthquakes are quite common in Japan, the Nerv app can help you prepare in case anything happens during your trip. This free app will give you real-time alerts and information about natural disasters in Japan, including earthquakes, typhoons and floods.
Their Earthquake Early Warning system is especially helpful. It notifies you when an earthquake has occurred, how strong it’s likely to be and when you can expect to feel it depending on your location.
On one of my recent trips, I got the notifications in the screenshot below. Nerv counted down the seconds until we felt a little shake.
If there’s a bigger earthquake during your trip, your phone might automatically send you an alert. However, the loud noise and Japanese announcement can be a little panic-inducing. Nerv will give you a little more peace of mind, as well as English information to ensure that you don’t miss anything important.
For everyday use, Nerv also has accurate weather information, including a rain radar and weather page. I find this especially useful when travelling around Japan, as the standard weather apps aren’t as accurate and detailed as this one.
Klook is an online marketplace for all things travel and covers a wide variety of experiences in Japan. You can use it to buy everything from train passes to tours and tickets for attractions. I’ve used Klook to buy so many passes over the years, including the Hakone Pass, Nikko Pass and JR Pass.
If you’ve bought anything on Klook, downloading the app is a great idea, as you’ll be able to find all your passes on the app. This way, you’ll always have everything you need with you.
Klook also offers the option to pre-book individual Shinkansen tickets through their website. The Tokyo – Osaka route can get very busy on weekends and during national holidays, so these advance bookings will help you to secure your seats and ensure a smooth journey between major cities.
On one of my recent trips, I used Klook to pre-book my journey from Kyoto to Tokyo during the busy Golden Week season. This way, I was sure to have a seat and picking up the tickets from the station was very easy.
Go Taxi is my main taxi app in Japan. You can use public transport for the vast majority of journeys in Japan, but it’s great to have a taxi app ready for when you do need one. If you’re dragging large suitcases around, a taxi can make your travels a lot more comfortable.
Similar to Uber, you can set your destination in advance and request a taxi to pick you up. You can select certain taxi companies to include or exclude in your search. Plus, you’ll see how much you’re going to pay beforehand. Payments can also be made on the app, making it very easy to use.
The app often offers small discounts for new or returning users. It’s given me a few ¥500 off coupons during my travels, which are always welcome.
You’ll probably have some luggage to carry around on your travels through Japan. If leaving your bag at your accommodation isn’t an option, you can use Ecbo Cloak to free yourself up for the day.
The app helps you to locate nearby storage, drop off your luggage and pay if necessary. You can also book storage at certain locations in advance to avoid scrambling for a locker at your destination.
While you’re out and about exploring Japan, you need to stay hydrated – particularly in the summer when it gets swelteringly hot. You can always grab a drink at one of the many convenience stores and vending machines, but over a long trip, the cost and plastic waste can really start to rack up.
That’s where MyMizu comes in. The app shows you refill spots all across the country where you can top up your water bottle for free. It’s a great way to cut down on plastic bottles and save some cash at the same time.
On the app, blue dots are public refill spots, dark blue dots indicate natural spring water, and the golden dots represent businesses that allow you to refill your bottle for free.
The app is not just limited to Japan, as it includes over 200,000 refill points globally. You can also use it to track your daily water intake and keep your good habits going once you return home.
Food is one of the big attractions of a trip to Japan. With only a few days to explore the country, you want to make sure you’re experiencing the best dishes that Japan has to offer. But with so many restaurants to visit, how do you know which ones to try?
If you’re looking for a memorable bowl of noodles, Ramen Beast has you covered. This app is dedicated to helping you find the best ramen spots in Japan: no tourist traps, no big chains, only the real deal.
It includes more than 700 of the best ramen shops in Japan, and recommends the best bowls to order at each shop. It also provides some information about the shop, speciality ingredients, and other interesting facts about your ramen.
Ramen Beast is only available on the Apple Store, but it’s worth downloading if you’re serious about finding that perfect bowl of noodles.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes can be quite hard to find in Japan. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy high-quality Japanese food on a plant-based diet.
HappyCow can help you find vegetarian and vegan restaurants across Japan’s major cities. It has a map feature that categorises restaurants into vegetarian, vegan and places with options, as well as user reviews to help you find the best places to eat.
It’s ¥800 to download HappyCow, so it’s a little bit of an investment. However, the app covers 180+ countries, so you’ll be able to use it on your future travels and when you return home.
Downloading the official apps for Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Tokyo Disney is a must if you’re visiting one of the parks. Both apps include a map of their respective parks and give you accurate waiting times for the rides.
To use most of these apps, you’ll need an internet connection. Getting an eSIM is usually a better, cheaper option than relying on your phone provider from back home. You don’t even have to change the physical SIM card in your phone, as eSIMs are installed on your phone digitally.
There are many eSIM options, but I recommend going with Journey Japan. Compared to other eSIM companies that cover many different countries worldwide, Journey Japan specialises in just Japan, making sure you get the best dedicated service. It’s very easily installed, and with their unlimited plan, you don’t have to worry about running out of data.
Alternatively, you can pick up a pocket WiFi if you want to stay connected to the Internet during your travels. You can pre-order these small devices from companies like Ninja WiFi and pick them up at the airport. With Pocket WiFi, you can easily connect multiple devices to the Internet, making it a good option for people travelling in a group.
All of the apps on this list will make your travels through Japan easier, whether you’re looking for directions, booking tickets or searching for a great restaurant. Any combination of these apps will help you have a smooth and stress-free trip to Japan.
Even if you only download Google Maps and Google Translate, you’ll be making your Japan trip a lot easier. You can even plan large parts of your travel through Japan just using Google Maps! Find out how in our guide to planning your trip with Google Maps.
Let’s start with a little disclaimer. There are only two apps that I can’t travel to Japan without: Google Maps and Google Translate. If you have these, you’re already most of the way towards an easy, stress-free trip to Japan.
However, we all like a bit of technological support every now and then. All of the apps below can make your trip easier or more memorable, and have been tried and tested by our team on their travels around Japan. They’re all available on both Apple and Android unless otherwise indicated.
Photo by Chris Captures
Essential Travel Apps in Japan
Here are the best apps for travelling in Japan:
1. Google Maps
If you’re only going to use one app in Japan, it should be Google Maps. I love planning my trips with Google Maps, but it’s so much more than a great planning tool. It’s a comprehensive tool for public transport in Japan.
In addition to directions, Google Maps includes train times, platform information and even recommends which train car to ride in for an easy transfer. In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, this up-to-date public transport information makes travelling so much easier.
There are many other navigation apps, but Google Maps is the only one I use. I’ve never had any issues with Google Maps in all my visits to Japan, whether I’m travelling in the city or somewhere off the beaten path.
From the screenshots below, you can see how easy it is to understand and use Google Maps. It shows you the best station, train line, and carriage for your journey, as well as the time of the next train in case you miss it. On top of that, it also shows you how much your journey will cost!
2. Google Translate
Travelling in Japan without knowing the language may seem daunting, but it’s much easier than you may think. I didn’t speak any Japanese during my first few trips to Japan and translation apps helped me through those trips without any issues. Even after some Japanese classes, I still use Google Translate.
There are many translation apps to choose from, but it’s best to just pick one and stick with it. I’m a big fan of Google Translate, but Papago is another option I’ve used before. They’ve both proved helpful during my travels in Japan.
Google Translate is my go-to translation app because of its camera feature. You can open the app, scan menus or signs and get a real-time translation. It’s not flawless, but it’s much better than staring at the Japanese without having a clue what it means. Since English support is not guaranteed at restaurants, local sights or on public transportation, this feature can be a lifesaver.
3. Mobile Suica
While it’s not quite the same as downloading an app, an IC card is one of the most useful things you can add to your phone in Japan.
IC cards are a pre-paid, rechargeable travel card that you can use on public transport in Japan. There are a few different regional varieties, but the main ones are Suica and Pasmo in the Tokyo area and Icoca in Kyoto and Osaka. They all offer the same service – a card you can add money onto and use on public transport, vending machines and certain shops.
Instead of buying separate tickets for every train journey, you can use an IC card to simply tap in and out at every station. The card will automatically take off the correct fare, saving you a lot of hassle.
You can buy a physical Suica card at train stations across Tokyo, but you can also add a mobile Suica to your Apple or Google Wallet. With the mobile Suica, you can top up directly on your phone and use your phone to tap in and out at stations.
The mobile Suica makes travelling so much easier, especially since you can only top up the physical card with cash. Getting a physical card can be tricky as there have been shortages in recent years, but you won’t need one if you have a mobile Suica card in your wallet app.
4. LINE
LINE is the go-to messaging app in Japan. Pretty much everyone you meet during your travels in Japan will be on LINE, from schoolchildren to salarymen and everyone in between.
If you have Japanese friends or want to chat with locals, this is the app to download. Global messaging apps like WhatsApp haven’t taken off in Japan, so it’s better to get LINE if you’re hoping to keep in touch with the people you meet.
Once you’re set up on LINE, you can add friends by their ID, phone number or the app’s QR function. You can also indulge in one of LINE’s unique pleasures and start curating your own sticker collection from the cute, goofy and downright bizarre creations on the LINE Sticker Shop.
5. Nerv
Since earthquakes are quite common in Japan, the Nerv app can help you prepare in case anything happens during your trip. This free app will give you real-time alerts and information about natural disasters in Japan, including earthquakes, typhoons and floods.
Their Earthquake Early Warning system is especially helpful. It notifies you when an earthquake has occurred, how strong it’s likely to be and when you can expect to feel it depending on your location.
On one of my recent trips, I got the notifications in the screenshot below. Nerv counted down the seconds until we felt a little shake.
If there’s a bigger earthquake during your trip, your phone might automatically send you an alert. However, the loud noise and Japanese announcement can be a little panic-inducing. Nerv will give you a little more peace of mind, as well as English information to ensure that you don’t miss anything important.
For everyday use, Nerv also has accurate weather information, including a rain radar and weather page. I find this especially useful when travelling around Japan, as the standard weather apps aren’t as accurate and detailed as this one.
6. Klook
Klook is an online marketplace for all things travel and covers a wide variety of experiences in Japan. You can use it to buy everything from train passes to tours and tickets for attractions. I’ve used Klook to buy so many passes over the years, including the Hakone Pass, Nikko Pass and JR Pass.
If you’ve bought anything on Klook, downloading the app is a great idea, as you’ll be able to find all your passes on the app. This way, you’ll always have everything you need with you.
Klook also offers the option to pre-book individual Shinkansen tickets through their website. The Tokyo – Osaka route can get very busy on weekends and during national holidays, so these advance bookings will help you to secure your seats and ensure a smooth journey between major cities.
On one of my recent trips, I used Klook to pre-book my journey from Kyoto to Tokyo during the busy Golden Week season. This way, I was sure to have a seat and picking up the tickets from the station was very easy.
7. Go Taxi
Go Taxi is my main taxi app in Japan. You can use public transport for the vast majority of journeys in Japan, but it’s great to have a taxi app ready for when you do need one. If you’re dragging large suitcases around, a taxi can make your travels a lot more comfortable.
Similar to Uber, you can set your destination in advance and request a taxi to pick you up. You can select certain taxi companies to include or exclude in your search. Plus, you’ll see how much you’re going to pay beforehand. Payments can also be made on the app, making it very easy to use.
The app often offers small discounts for new or returning users. It’s given me a few ¥500 off coupons during my travels, which are always welcome.
8. Ecbo Cloak
You’ll probably have some luggage to carry around on your travels through Japan. If leaving your bag at your accommodation isn’t an option, you can use Ecbo Cloak to free yourself up for the day.
The app helps you to locate nearby storage, drop off your luggage and pay if necessary. You can also book storage at certain locations in advance to avoid scrambling for a locker at your destination.
9. MyMizu
While you’re out and about exploring Japan, you need to stay hydrated – particularly in the summer when it gets swelteringly hot. You can always grab a drink at one of the many convenience stores and vending machines, but over a long trip, the cost and plastic waste can really start to rack up.
That’s where MyMizu comes in. The app shows you refill spots all across the country where you can top up your water bottle for free. It’s a great way to cut down on plastic bottles and save some cash at the same time.
On the app, blue dots are public refill spots, dark blue dots indicate natural spring water, and the golden dots represent businesses that allow you to refill your bottle for free.
The app is not just limited to Japan, as it includes over 200,000 refill points globally. You can also use it to track your daily water intake and keep your good habits going once you return home.
10. Ramen Beast
Food is one of the big attractions of a trip to Japan. With only a few days to explore the country, you want to make sure you’re experiencing the best dishes that Japan has to offer. But with so many restaurants to visit, how do you know which ones to try?
If you’re looking for a memorable bowl of noodles, Ramen Beast has you covered. This app is dedicated to helping you find the best ramen spots in Japan: no tourist traps, no big chains, only the real deal.
It includes more than 700 of the best ramen shops in Japan, and recommends the best bowls to order at each shop. It also provides some information about the shop, speciality ingredients, and other interesting facts about your ramen.
Ramen Beast is only available on the Apple Store, but it’s worth downloading if you’re serious about finding that perfect bowl of noodles.
11. HappyCow
Vegetarian and vegan dishes can be quite hard to find in Japan. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy high-quality Japanese food on a plant-based diet.
HappyCow can help you find vegetarian and vegan restaurants across Japan’s major cities. It has a map feature that categorises restaurants into vegetarian, vegan and places with options, as well as user reviews to help you find the best places to eat.
It’s ¥800 to download HappyCow, so it’s a little bit of an investment. However, the app covers 180+ countries, so you’ll be able to use it on your future travels and when you return home.
12. USJ & Tokyo Disney Resort App
Downloading the official apps for Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Tokyo Disney is a must if you’re visiting one of the parks. Both apps include a map of their respective parks and give you accurate waiting times for the rides.
Internet Connection in Japan
To use most of these apps, you’ll need an internet connection. Getting an eSIM is usually a better, cheaper option than relying on your phone provider from back home. You don’t even have to change the physical SIM card in your phone, as eSIMs are installed on your phone digitally.
There are many eSIM options, but I recommend going with Journey Japan. Compared to other eSIM companies that cover many different countries worldwide, Journey Japan specialises in just Japan, making sure you get the best dedicated service. It’s very easily installed, and with their unlimited plan, you don’t have to worry about running out of data.
Alternatively, you can pick up a pocket WiFi if you want to stay connected to the Internet during your travels. You can pre-order these small devices from companies like Ninja WiFi and pick them up at the airport. With Pocket WiFi, you can easily connect multiple devices to the Internet, making it a good option for people travelling in a group.
Conclusion – Best Travel Apps in Japan
All of the apps on this list will make your travels through Japan easier, whether you’re looking for directions, booking tickets or searching for a great restaurant. Any combination of these apps will help you have a smooth and stress-free trip to Japan.
Even if you only download Google Maps and Google Translate, you’ll be making your Japan trip a lot easier. You can even plan large parts of your travel through Japan just using Google Maps! Find out how in our guide to planning your trip with Google Maps.