Traveling in Japan can seem difficult because of the language and the complicated train routes, which may stop many people from trying to travel on their own. But today, translation, map, and place-search apps are far more accurate than before. This time we've gathered 8 great apps that make traveling in Japan easier than ever — simple enough for even first-time travelers to get around without getting lost.
1. Google Translate
A translation app that is very useful in a country where most signs and conversations are in Japanese. It's a must-have app for foreign travelers. It's very easy to use — just type in your own language and get an instant Japanese translation. The pronunciation may sound a bit odd at times, but it still gets the meaning across. It also has several other useful features, such as translating text from a photo, offline use, and handwriting input instead of typing.
2. Google Maps
Another app you should definitely have on your phone. It helps make sure you won't get lost wherever you go. It also lets you check accurate timetables for buses or trains, since public transport data is constantly updated. What makes this app even better is that it can re-route you if there's a road obstruction or heavy traffic, so you can travel in the shortest time possible. Beyond getting around, it also helps you find popular restaurants and shops in every neighborhood, just like a local. It works offline, and it offers Street View images of different locations.
3. Japan Travel from NAVITIME
An app for finding train routes and other ways to get around, made specifically for traveling in Japan. It focuses on public transport across the whole country, making it a very thorough app for getting around Japan. Besides showing maps of different train lines, it also offers other features, such as finding recommended attractions in each area, locating free Wi-Fi spots, currency exchange locations, and ATMs.
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4. Tokyo Subway Navigation
An app for finding subway routes in the Tokyo area. The data is highly accurate and shows you where to transfer trains. It's easy to use — just tap the station name on the route map to find the route you need. You can also select your destination to find out which station to get off at. This app makes it easy to get around Tokyo by subway without ever getting lost.
5. TabiMori
An app that works like a personal guide, with everything you need to plan your trip in Japan, including route search, language translation, yen currency conversion, real-time weather checks, exchange rates, and popular attractions. If you don't want to download many apps and just want one that does it all, this app alone is enough.
6. Travel Japan Wi-Fi
An app for finding free Wi-Fi spots, covering more than 200,000 locations across Japan. It connects easily through a Wi-Fi manager, and it also recommends attractions in different areas, as well as cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, and many other nearby places. For anyone who hasn't rented a Pocket Wi-Fi or turned on roaming, this is a very worthwhile app to have.
7. Safety Tips
A disaster alert app that is useful in a country where natural disasters happen often, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, as well as extreme weather that carries a risk of natural disasters. It also offers proper guidance on how to stay safe in various disaster situations. Having this app gives peace of mind and helps you stay prepared for any situation.
8. Gurunavi Japan Restaurant Guide
A detailed app for finding great restaurants, with more listings than similar apps. You can set your location and easily find the type of restaurant you want, with full details for each place and the ability to filter by other criteria, such as price, cuisine type, and special features. Results come up instantly, and it also supports English.