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15 x BEST Apps for Japan

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The 15 x Best Travel Apps for Japan, from navigating, translating, staying connected, to finding the best local eats, or booking attractions, this is your Ultimate Guide to all the Travel APPS you are going to want to download to travel JAPAN with ease!

Table of contents

Transport & Navigating Apps for Japan

Navigating Japan’s Rail Network might seem like a daunting task, BUT it is made very easy with Google Maps, Apple Maps or with the Roam2Rio App! Simply input where you need to go and ALL of these apps will map out the best route, give you prices and schedules and step by step instructions.

1. Google Maps / Apple Maps

Description: Google Maps is a NON NEGOTIALE for navigating Japan’s cities and rural areas. It provides accurate directions for walking, driving and for public transportation. Further, it will give you REAL TIME schedules, costs and route options. It lets you know which train lines, when to change trains and how long your journey will take including walking directions to and from the Station.

Features:

  • Detailed maps and street views.
  • Real-time transit information, prices, and line information.
  • Set pins, create and save a map just for your trip!
  • Add notes to your saved pins.
  • Plus you can DOWNLOAD your city maps to use offline! – (NOTE you will need an internet connection to get REAL TIME travel and navigation directions)
BEST Apps for Japan - Google Maps

2. Roam2Rio

Description: Roam2Rio app is our other go-to app for navigating Japan’s transport network. It also offers a comprehensive timetable and route planner. What makes Roam2Rio different is it looks at Multi-Mode Transport Options. Helping you find the quickest and most convenient bus, taxi, ferries, trains, including Shinkansen (bullet trains) and local trains.

Features:

  • Compare Multi-Mode Transport Options
  • Compare train schedules and routes, costs
  • Cost estimates for ALL OPTIONS
  • Mobile App
Roam To Rio App - great for navigating through Japan

3. Suica Digital Transit Card

Suica Cards are a rechargeable smart IC Travel Card used for seamless travel on public transportation throughout Japan. These contactless cards simplify the process of getting around by allowing users to quickly tap and pay at ticket gates for trains, subways, and buses.

Suica cards can also be used for purchases at certain retailers, vending machines, convenience store and even some restaurants accept Suica payments.

Over the last 12 months there has been a GLOBAL SHORTAGE of chips and has made getting a physical cards harder to get.

This is why the DIGITAL SUICA CARD is a great option for travelers.

It is actually NOT AN APP, but a digital card loaded through your Apple Wallet (sadly it is not available for android users)

This guide will help you navigate how to find one due to a global shortage, and also has instructions how to load your digital version.

Global Shortage of Suica or Pasmo Cards in Japan: How to get one in 2024

This guide will help you navigate how to find one due to a global shortage, and also has instructions how to load your digital version.

Where to get a SUICA or PASMO Card in 2024

This guide will help you work out which JAPAN RAIL pass to get, and how to SAVE MONEY on your Japan Train Travel.

GUIDE to Japan’s Rail Passes

Japan Is the JR Pass worth it in 2024? Alternatives to save you money

4, 5 & 6. Uber, GO or Japan Taxi

Description: If you need a taxi in Japan, Uber, GO or the Japan Taxi app are all excellent apps for hailing rides quickly. They provide information on nearby taxis, estimated fares, and allows for easy payment and booking.

ALL Feature:

  • Fare estimates and payment options
  • English language support
Go Taxi app

Still looking for a Hotel? Checkout these…

Unique Ryokans & Hotels – Where to stay in Kyoto Japan
Unique Ryokans in Kyoto
Tokyo Onsen Hotels & Ryokans

Translating Apps

7. Google Translate

Description: While many Japanese people speak English, having a translation app like Google Translate can be incredibly useful for reading menus, signs, and communicating more effectively. The app supports voice, text, and camera translations, making it versatile for different situations.

Features:

  • Text and voice translations
  • Camera translation for text in images
  • Offline translation capabilities

Connection Apps

8. Airalo – Esim WIFI

The BEST way to stay connected while traveling is by using an eSIM. We love how convenient they are and how you don’t need to swap out your own SIM card. They also provide excellent connectivity through local networks. Click here to see their Japan Plans

Features:

  • Trusted by 10million users
  • Available in 200+ Countries including Japan
  • No need to remove your Sim Card
  • Great low priced Data Plans
Airalo Esim

9. LINE

Description: LINE is a popular messaging app in Japan, similar to WhatApp, and essential for staying connected with locals and other travelers. It offers text, voice, and video messaging, and many Japanese businesses and services use LINE for communication and customer service.

Features:

  • Free text and voice calls
  • Stickers and emojis popular in Japan
  • Integration with various Japanese services
  • Translation feature
Line is a great app in japan, allowing you to communicate like whatsap
Easy 10 Day Japan Itinerary For FIRST TIMERS

Looking for inspiration of the BEST things to do and places to visit in Japan?

Easy 10 Day Japan Itinerary

Exchange Apps

10. Xe Exchange App

If you want to work out what things are costing you, you are going to want to get an Exchange App, these calculate the exchange to multiple currencies at the push of a button.

Features

  • Convert any amount of currency to any exchange rate
  • Convert multiple currencies at the one time

11. Wise App

We swear by the WISE money card! It offers the best exchange rates we’ve found, far surpassing those of our banks and any other cards we’ve tried. Plus, you get immediate access to a digital card and can order a physical card as well.

Features:

  • Keep your money in your own currency or exchange when the rate is high
  • Set ALERTS & automatic exchange’s when the rate hits a certain amount.
  • Digital Card for your Apple or Google Wallet

FIND out more about the WISE TRAVEL CARD

wise money app

Food Apps in Japan

12. Ramen Beast

Find where the best Ramen spots are near you with the Ramen Beast App. This will work throughout the whole of Japan, and each listing has a rating and review.

Ramen Beast App, find the best Ramen anywhere in Japan

13. Tabelog

Description: For food lovers, Tabelog is an essential app or website. It’s Japan’s most popular restaurant listing, reservation and review site, helping you find the best local eateries, from high-end sushi restaurants to cozy ramen shops. The app can only be downloaded in Japan or you can use the website. Both include user reviews, photos, and detailed information on each restaurant.

English Website – Tabelog – Japan

Features:

  • Extensive restaurant database
  • User reviews and ratings
  • Search filters by cuisine, location, and price range
Table Log is Japans best app for food reviews and reservations

Booking Apps in Japan

14. Klook App

Klook is a comprehensive booking site where you can book just about EVERYTHING in Japan. What we love about Klook is you often get things cheaper than going direct, and you also get a discount if you use a code like our TRAVELLIVNKLOOK.

We also love the convenience of having all our booking confirmations in the ONE PLACE and in an easy-to-use app.

Click here to search Tours, Trains and Hotels

Klook.com

15. Booking.com App

We love using booking.com for booking our accommodation. Booking.com provides a user-friendly platform to find hotels, ryokan (traditional inns), and vacation rentals across Japan. It offers a range of options from budget to luxury, complete with reviews and booking flexibility. We also love that once booked all our Hotels and Ryokans are in one place, making them easy to find and to see our itinerary mapped out.

Click here to search hotels

Features:

  • Wide selection of accommodations
  • User reviews and ratings
  • Easy booking and flexible cancellation option

Safety Apps

16. Nerv

The NERV Disaster Prevention App is a smartphone service that provides warnings for earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and other emergencies. It also offers weather-related disaster prevention information for flooding and landslides.

  • Earthquake Early Warning (Alert level)
  • Tsunami Warning/Major Tsunami Warning
  • Emergency Weather Warning

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