Knowing the best travel apps to install for Japan instantly makes your trip a whole lot easier. But, beyond obvious choices like Google Translate, figuring out what’s worth sacrificing precious storage space for can be tough.
With the right apps, you can book bullet trains, find authentic ramen shops, and hail taxis within minutes, all while avoiding roaming charges with Airalo’s Japan eSIMs. You can save money too, whether that’s tracking down free water refills with MyMizu or via exclusive discounts on Payke. These are the best Japan travel apps, from trusted local restaurant guides to versatile public transport planners.
Best Apps for Traveling in Japan
Money-Saving Connectivity Apps for Japan
Download the right apps before you get to Japan to stay connected for less. Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect instantly connects you to available Wi-Fi and Airalo saves you from expensive roaming charges.
Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect
Repeatedly registering for public Wi-Fi in Japan gets tiring fast, but you can skip the hassle with the Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect app. After signing up on the app, it automatically connects you to free Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, train stations, and tourist hotspots across the country, without the need to register individually for each one.
It’s a great way to save your eSIM data for when you really need it, and the in-app map makes it easy to track down nearby Wi-Fi. The app is especially useful in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, but you won’t find as many hotspots if you’re heading off the beaten path in Japan to rural spots like Lake Tazawa.
Airalo
The Airalo app gives you access to a range of eSIMs that can save you a small fortune in roaming charges. Whether you’re sticking to Japan or backpacking across Asia, Airalo’s Japan-specific eSIMs and regional Asia packages keep you connected wherever you go.
Most eSIMs can even be installed before you arrive, meaning you’ll have mobile data the moment your plane lands. That means no waiting around to connect to airport Wi-Fi before catching up on your socials and you’ll be able to scroll to your heart’s content during the taxi ride to your hotel.
And, if you’re ever low on data, you can simply top up or buy a new eSIM in the app in just a few minutes.
Best Transport and Map Apps for Traveling in Japan
Megacities like Tokyo and Osaka can be pretty daunting to navigate, so public transport planners like the Japan Travel app and ride-hailing tools like GO / Taxi are must-haves.
Shinkansen smartEX
The Shinkansen smartEX app is the best option for booking tickets on Japan’s iconic bullet trains. You can book in advance, pick your seats, and keep your tickets easily accessible in the app.
Although the app only covers the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines, that’s all most travelers need since it covers Japan’s Golden Route from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka.
If you’re visiting during peak periods like Golden Week (29 April to 5 May), being able to book trains in advance saves you from long ticket lines and worrying about tickets selling out. And, let’s face it, no trip to Japan is complete without a bullet train ride, zooming across the country at speeds of up to 199 miles (320 kilometers) per hour.
GO / Taxi
Forget Grab and Uber, GO / Taxi is the main ride-hailing app in Japan. It works slightly differently to other ride-hailing apps; instead of using private drivers, the app books local licensed taxi drivers for your journeys.
Booking taxis through the app is simple, with an English-friendly interface and the ability to link foreign credit cards for payments. The app also eliminates the risk of anything getting lost in translation, so you won’t accidentally get dropped off on the wrong side of Tokyo.
Uber still works in major cities, but GO / Taxi has a much wider coverage, especially in more rural areas.
Japan Travel
The Japan Travel app takes all the stress out of navigating the country’s public transport system. Designed specifically for tourists, it maps out the smartest routes from A to B across several modes of transport, including trains, subways, buses, and taxis.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, the app can even calculate routes covered by your ticket, to avoid unnecessarily paying extra for journeys.
Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the most useful apps out there; it’s among the best apps for traveling in Europe, Asia, South America, and virtually anywhere else.
It’s particularly great for finding your way around on foot, and helps you plan optimal routes via public transport. User reviews and up-to-date opening times make it invaluable in a new city, whether you’re seeking out the top sushi spots in Tokyo or figuring out what time to arrive at Osaka Castle.
Essential Food Apps To Find Japan’s Best Local Spots
Swap overpriced meals at tourist traps for Japan’s best-rated restaurants with handy apps like Tabelog and Ramen Beast.
Tabelog
Tabelog is a handy tool for discovering authentic local restaurants. It comprehensively covers more than 900,000 restaurants across Japan, with user ratings and pictures that help you to find the best ramen, tonkatsu, and soba no matter where you are.
It’s primarily used by Japanese residents, but the international version of the app features English translations, so you can still benefit from local insights without needing to constantly go back and forth to a translation app.
Helpful filters make it easy to search by cuisine type, neighborhood, and payment options, and some restaurants even let you make reservations directly through the Tabelog app.
Ramen Beast
Download: iOS
If fueling up on ramen is a daily requirement, you’ll need Ramen Beast on your phone. It’s a connoisseur’s guide to Japan’s best ramen shops, featuring over 2,000 stores handpicked by a small team of ramen fanatics.
Chains and tourist traps are deliberately excluded, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for authentic flavors and a truly Japanese experience. The app gives insider tips on the best ramen bowl to order at each shop, as well as helpful directions for ordering on shokken (ticket vending machines).
Sorry Android users, Ramen Beast is currently only available on iOS.
MyMizu
Want to save money, stay hydrated, and reduce plastic waste? MyMizu helps you do exactly that by directing you to free water refill stations across Japan.
The in-app map shows you the nearest refill points, so you won’t need to detour to a 7-Eleven every time you’re low on water. It also lists designated cooling shelters, which are a lifesaver on sweltering summer days when temperatures can creep above 35°C.
Just make sure to add a reusable water bottle to your Japan packing list.
Must-Have Translation Apps for Japan
A few weeks isn’t enough time to get up to speed with your Japanese, so you’ll need Google Translate and Payke to avoid any unnecessary confusion.
Google Translate
Downloading Google Translate is an absolute must unless you happen to speak Japanese. It’s an easy way to bridge the language barrier, especially outside of major cities, where English is rarely spoken.
Live camera translation helps you decipher Japanese menus in minutes, so you won’t need to worry about accidentally ordering the wrong thing. The speech-to-text translation is just as useful, and helps with everything from conversations with taxi drivers to asking locals for directions.
Make sure to download the Japanese language pack for offline use, but keep in mind features like speech-to-text translation only work with an internet connection — so you’ll ideally want a Japan eSIM with plenty of data.
Payke
Payke makes shopping in Japan way less stressful. Simply scan a product’s barcode and the app instantly pulls up translated product details, including ingredients, instructions, and user reviews.
It’s great for knowing exactly what you’re buying, and is especially useful if you have any allergies. The Payke app also gives exclusive coupons and discounts for travelers in Japan, so it doesn’t just make shopping easier, it can save you money too.
Other Essential Travel Apps for Japan
Handy apps like LINE are great for everything from adding new friends to making restaurant bookings. Here are the other must-have travel apps for Japan.
LINE
LINE is Japan’s most popular messaging app, so it’s well worth having on your phone. If you make any local friends, they’ll almost certainly ask for your LINE ID instead of your phone number or social media handles.
The app is particularly useful for contacting businesses, whether that’s making restaurant reservations or confirming check-in details with your hotel.
It’s pretty similar to WhatsApp and Messenger, just with a few additional features like an in-app wallet and integrated news updates.
XE Money Transfer & Currency
A currency conversion app is always a good idea, especially for the first few days while you’re still getting used to converting costs to and from Japanese yen. The XE Money Transfer & Currency app uses live exchange rates to take the guesswork out of figuring out what something costs in your home currency.
It’s even more important if you’re traveling to multiple countries with different currencies on the same trip, saving you some head-scratching moments when you get your exchange rates muddled.
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