Japan Travel: Here Are the 15 Essential Mobile Apps
Planning to fly to the Land of the Rising Sun? Discover the 15 must-have apps for traveling to Japan to download on your smartphone. Routes, language, gastronomy, culture.
Planning to fly to the Land of the Rising Sun? Discover the 15 essential apps for traveling to Japan, ready to download on your smartphone. Routes, language, gastronomy, culture, and more: mobile apps will be true allies during your stay…
Apps for getting around Japan
1. Tokyo Metro Subway Map
If you're visiting Japan's capital, the Tokyo Metro Subway Map app will prove invaluable. Beyond offering interactive city maps, it shows you the nearest stations, schedules, and train frequencies.
With its notifications, the app also keeps you informed in real-time about any line disruptions – allowing you to adapt your routes and travel plans accordingly.
Free, available on iOS and Android.
2. Japan Transit Planner
Japan Transit Planner-Norikae Annai is a multilingual navigation app (and one of the most downloaded in Japon). It makes it easy to find flight and rail itineraries. The tool also provides ticket prices, departure times, and journey duration.
Free, available on iOS and Android.
3. Navitime (Japan Travel)
Navitime (or Japan Travel by Navitime) is another highly useful app that lets you search for routes – or access them offline if you've saved them in advance.
The app also indicates which platforms to use or exits to take, and offers guides on culture, gastronomy, and major events that might interest visitors. Pro tip? Enter the places you want to visit in advance to make getting around easier when you're in each region.
Worth knowing: if you need to take the train in Japan, Navitime is compatible with the Japan Rail Pass (a filter lets you select only trains covered by the JR Pass).
Free, available on iOS and Android.
4. Google Maps or Maps.me
Google Maps is also useful (on Android or Apple) for navigating around Japan. This GPS navigator provides reliable real-time information, plus all transport options on the same route (trains, buses, subway, ferry).
An offline alternative? Maps.me! Equipped with a route planner, this app, available in multiple languages, works without an Internet connection (as long as you've previously downloaded its interactive map). Ideal if you forget your pocket wifi at the hotel.
Free, available on iOS and Android.
5. Ecbo Cloak
One last app to have on your smartphone when traveling in Japan: ecbo cloak. This tool helps you locate luggage lockers and temporary storage spaces near your location. During an itinerant stay, this is extremely useful, even essential, allowing you to lighten your load. Also handy for storing a stroller or musical instrument.
Free. Available on iOS and Android 13.0
Apps for understanding the language
6. Omotenashi Guide
While Google Translate is an effective app for translating Japanese into English (or vice versa), other apps can help you understand the language better.
Among them is the Omotenashi Guide app, which allows instant on-screen transcription on your smartphone – excellent for translating signs and signage! Its microphone option also lets you hear an announcement and get it translated simultaneously.
Free, available on iOS and Android.
7. Yomiwa
Another essential mobile app for understanding Japanese? Yomiwa: an optical character recognition (OCR) tool that, using your smartphone's camera or photo library, will let you translate a sign or restaurant menu thanks to its built-in character recognition – covering 4,000 Japanese characters (hiragana, kanji, and katakana)!
Here's how: use your screen to target the area you want to translate, and once the popup appears on your phone, simply click the freeze button to launch the translation of the selected zone.
Free download (but paid for advanced features), available on iOS and Android.
Alert apps
8. Yurekuru Call
Accustomed to earthquakes, Japan has several apps to alert you to earthquake warnings or imminent danger. The Yurekuru Call app warns you between ten seconds and two minutes before tremors… This type of app was designed primarily for foreign visitors. Indeed, the local population is automatically notified on their mobile phone in case of an alert.
Free, available on iOS and Android.
9. Safety Tips
Similarly, the Safety Tips app provides information about high-risk natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc.) via notifications. Should an alert occur during your stay, remember to stay as far away as possible from windows and high-voltage lines.
If you're unsure how to react (or gauge earthquake intensity), follow the locals' lead – they're used to these phenomena.
Free, available on iOS and Android.
Tourist apps
Well-known and respected, TripAdvisor (available on iOS and Android) is a useful app for discovering must-see attractions in Japan, though it's certainly not the only option…
10. Japan official travel app
Among must-have apps, download the Japan National Tourism Organization's (JNTO) official app: Japan official travel app will show you the best restaurants and tourist attractions, plus practical information like English-speaking hospitals.
The app also provides other useful details, such as emergency notifications, travel guides, and certain transport schedules. For optimal use, it's recommended to update the app regularly, especially during a longer stay in Japan.
Free, available on iOS and Android.
11. Meetup
Another app to download: Meetup. This is an events app that keeps you posted on unmissable events and also lets you meet Japanese locals…
Indeed, Meetup is very popular on the archipelago, as it lets enthusiasts connect around shared passions (conferences, yoga, music, etc.). Keyword search makes it easy to find and discover the most popular groups.
Free, available on iOS 15.0 or later.
Gastronomy apps
Want to taste one of Japan's unique dishes or sample a very specific specialty? Numerous apps will guide you to the best addresses and restaurants that match your desires…
12. Happy Cow
If you don't eat meat or fish, finding a menu that suits you can be challenging…
Until recently, Japan wasn't very vegetarian-friendly. While since the 2021 Olympic Games it's become easier to find options, vegetarian restaurants remain quite rare in rural areas of Japan… Fortunately, apps like Happy Cow help you locate the best options.
13. GuruNavi
Whatever your prefecture (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, etc.), the Gurunavi app helps you locate the best restaurants around your neighborhood and location.
Free, available on iOS and Android. A paid version unlocks more features.
14. Sushi Dictionary
Sushi Dictionary lets you discover, as its name suggests, the best sushi spots… and more. In fact, the app features a glossary that explains different fish and seafood preparation methods – which can make ordering easier when dining out.
Free, available on Android.
15. Ramen Beast
Ramen is a quintessential Japanese gastronomic specialty. Want to taste this essential dish? Head to Ramen Beast, your guarantee of enjoying delicious, traditional fare: the app lists only the best restaurants, excluding low-quality spots and large restaurant chains.
Free, available on iOS.
How to Rent a Pocket Wifi? With rare exceptions, mobile apps need wifi to function. To stay connected at all times, it's essential to get a pocket wifi – a small, lightweight box that gives you Internet access anywhere in Japan (where free wifi spots are quite rare).
One unit provides Internet for up to 5 devices simultaneously. Rental (minimum 5 days) is done online on a dedicated site. Delivery and return happen in Japan, at an airport counter or directly to your hotel, depending on your chosen option. Expect around €40 for 5 days. |
FAQ
Does Waze work in Japan?
Waze works in Japan. Information provided by this app is transmitted in real-time by its users – and thus depends on community size. You can check map availability on Waze's website.
What replaces Hyperdia?
The Hyperdia app, which listed train schedules across the entire archipelago, no longer exists. The best alternative for the same information is Jorudan. This app is free, available on mobile and website.
Which ride-sharing app in Japan?
You can book a ride-sharing service through the Line app (a very popular messaging app in Japan that offers many services) or call a taxi via the GO app.
Frequently asked questions
It's highly recommended to download these 15 apps before you depart, as some require stable Internet to install and update. Once there, also download offline maps (Maps.me, Navitime) from your hotel or airport to access routes without connection.
Most of the transport apps mentioned in this article (Japan Transit Planner, Navitime, Google Maps) are available in English and sometimes other languages, but rarely in French. Google Maps remains the most accessible option for French speakers thanks to its English interface.
Some apps work offline if you've previously downloaded the necessary data (Maps.me maps, Navitime routes). However, most require Internet connection. It's strongly advised to rent a pocket wifi or buy a local SIM card to make full use of all these apps.
The Suica app (IC card) is the most convenient solution for paying subway, bus, and train fares in Japan. It's available on iPhone (via Apple Wallet) and also lets you shop at convenience stores. Android users can use the Mobile Suica app.
Yes, the Japan Post Bank ATM app or the Seven Bank site will help you locate ATMs compatible with Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. 7-Elevens and post offices (Japan Post) are generally the most accessible ATMs for foreign travelers.
