Google Maps

You might already rely on Google Maps back home, but this app is an absolute must-have when traveling abroad, especially in Japan. Japan is known for its safe streets and fabulous public transportation, but the narrow alleys and complicated transportation network can be a nightmare to figure out entirely on your own. Whether you’re just walking to a restaurant nearby, cycling down the coast, or taking a series of trains and buses to your next destination, Google Maps is a reliable standby in Japan. The app even provides real-time schedule updates, so you’ll know right away if a train is delayed (and yes, this actually does happen in Japan too, although the delays are usually minor). It also includes features that can help you find restaurants, coffee shops, and even sightseeing spots nearby!

▶︎ A versatile navigation app for getting around Japan.
▶︎ Real-time schedule updates.
▶︎ Download maps for offline use in case you run out of data (or find yourself lost on a lonely mountain road).

▶︎ Download: iOS | Android

Japan Travel by Navitime

Another popular app for planning trips around Japan, Japan Travel by Navitime calculates train and bus routes in detail, offering a clear view of departure times, fares, and even train platform numbers. The customization options make it easy to choose the fastest or cheapest route for each trip, or even find the one that has the fewest transfers (great when you’re dragging a big suitcase across Japan). It’s a little like having a personal assistant guiding you through the country! Perfect for anyone worried about getting lost or ending up on the wrong train when traveling in Japan.

▶︎ Detailed train and bus information.
▶︎ Useful for train, bus, or even walking directions.
▶︎ Especially useful for JR Pass users!

▶︎ Download: iOS | Android

Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan)

Our final transportation app of the list, Japan Transit Planner is primarily focused on train routes, and includes features like actual timetables – so you can see all the train times in advance, from the very first departure of the day to the very last – for more detailed trip planning or ticket booking. What really stands out, however, is the ticket section. You can actually purchase a variety of different train passes directly in the app and use them right away!

▶︎ Japanese train info, from timetables to money-saving passes.
▶︎ Calculate travel time, transfers, and fares.
▶︎ English-language support.

▶︎ Download: iOS | Android

Google Translate

Modern technology has really made language barriers a thing of the past, which means international travel is easier than ever! Google Translate is like a personal interpreter on the go, solving issues like unreadable Japanese signs and menus, or even images on your phone (great for those old websites that use images instead of text you can copy and paste). Of course, you can use it to communicate directly with locals, too! Just type out a message or even speak into the app, and it will instantly translate your message, even reading it aloud if you want. Isn’t there an Arthur C. Clarke quote about advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic…?

▶︎ Translate signs, menus, websites, or any other Japanese text.
▶︎ Communicate with Japanese locals using text or speech translation.

▶︎ Download: iOS | Android

Tabelog

Tabelog is Japan’s most comprehensive restaurant review platform (a little like Yelp in the US), providing information on menus, prices, and opening hours, as well as customer reviews. While Google Maps reviews are increasingly common in Japan, Tabelog is the long-beloved local option, heavily used and trusted by Japanese internet users and restaurant-goers. It’s also notorious for its culture of extremely harsh reviews – Japan is a country of reliably delicious food, so reviewers are not generous, but any restaurant with a rating over 3.5 is likely to be a real winner! You can use Tabelog to find restaurants nearby, choose a place that’s highly rated by locals, and even make reservations. No more waiting in long lines on an empty stomach!

▶︎ Restaurant reviews from the local Japanese community.
▶︎ View ratings, menu recommendations, and prices.
▶︎ Great for foodies who want to eat like the locals.

▶︎ Download: iOS | Android

Safety Tips

Japan experiences earthquakes every single day, from tiny tremors to massive shakes, and like any country it’s sometimes hit with natural disasters. That’s no reason to avoid traveling in Japan, but it makes sense to do what you can to stay safe, and this app is just as important as any other you might download for your trip. Safety Tips, developed by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), provides real-time disaster alerts along with practical safety advice. The app includes ample information explaining how to respond to various emergencies, and even includes multilingual support, so you can use it in whichever language you’re most comfortable with.

▶︎ Real-time disaster alerts and advice.
▶︎ Available in multiple languages.

▶︎ Download: iOS | Android

Klook / Kkday

If you’re looking to book Japanese theme park tickets (like Disneyland), get a certain transportation pass, snag a spot at TeamLab, or purchase entry to any number of other attractions, you can always do that from each spot’s official website… but it might be easier to download Klook or Kkday for the convenience. Both apps offer one central hub for you to purchase and keep track of all kinds of tickets, and maybe more importantly, both apps often feature promotional campaigns and discounts that can save you money. While booking through a third-party vendor can make it harder to change reservations or fix any issues that may pop up, it can be worth using these just to make booking and payment easier during your trip!

▶︎ Book tickets on your phone, keeping them safe in your digital wallet.
▶︎ Occasional discounts and promotional campaigns.

▶︎ Download Klook: iOS | Android
▶︎ Download Kkday: iOS | Android

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