These 14 apps for traveling in Japan will never let you down! We've compiled everything from trains to translation, restaurants, accommodation, itineraries.
Useful info for future reference! I know it sounds crazy but I traveled to Japan without knowing there is such a thing called Google Translate App! 😂
1. Hyperdia
Helps you find the fastest and most efficient travel routes via public transportation. It gives all the transit times and a wide variety of travel routes, but narrows your top search down to the fastest and most efficient.
2. Japan Travel App
You can search offline for Wifi spots, ATMs and train stations and even the 100 yen stores and their distance to you. The app also provides articles about Japan and recommended itineraries. The app can even map out day trips for you along with the travel times and commute costs.
3. Japan Official Travel App
The app provides regularly updated articles about Japan, such as basic rules and manners, medical assistance and nearest embassy contact details. A search will cover all modes of transportation, including ferries and is compatible with Japan Rail Pass. It also provides useful information such as the most convenient car number for a train transit, platform information and station lists.
4. Google Maps
The most common and known app. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360 degree panoramic views of streets, real time traffic conditions and route planning for various methods of transportation.
5. Imiwa
It is an English to Japanese dictionary. Type in any word or phrase in either language and an accurate translation will show up. The best thing about it is that it doesn’t require an internet connection.
6. Line
Line is the Whatsapp for the Japanese.
7. Google Translate
Google translate supports over 100 languages and is widely used. It can translate websites to speech and handwritten translations. So if you can’t read the Japanese menu, simply hover your phone and watch it translate to English!
8. Yurekuru
This is the standard go to for earthquake warnings in Japan. Yurekuru will notify you of an oncoming earthquake and the intensity. The app works with the Earthquake Early Warning system provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency which also sends out alerts to trains, elevators and other potentially dangerous equipment to automatically shut down.
9. Japan Taxi
It’s the “Uber” for Japanese, a go to app for hailing cabs in the city and even in rural areas. You can request a taxi at your nearest location and the app will alert you when a taxi has been dispatched and the estimated time of arrival. Paying the fare is easy as you can connect your phone to your preferred method.
10. Yomiwa
Yomiwa is not free and that is because it delivers seamless translation for more advanced text analysis. It can break Japanese sentences into words, describe conjugate forms, display furiganas and even provide translation to English with its new offline translation mode. It’s a more detailed version of Google Translate.
11. Learn Japanese Phrases and Words
It teaches you correct pronunciation and no internet access is required. It has search functions in English and Japanese. You can record your own voice to see if your accent is up to par. This is the perfect app for beginners who want to learn Japanese in a quick and fun way. It starts at a very low level and you can test out of various stages, bringing you to your appropriate level of learning.
12. Maps.me
It is available to use offline and offers an incredibly detailed and up to date travel guide. One interesting feature is that you can make hotel bookings through the app and you can share your location via text or social media.
13. Japan Connected Free Wifi
You can easily access 170,000 spots in Japan with free wifi. There is a one time only registration process and you can connect with a single tap to free wifi at major train stations and airports, convenience stores and department stores, tourist spots and more locations. You can use the offline feature to search for wifi spots.
Follow Your Japan for more of such info!
