As an avid traveler who has spent more than seven years exploring Japan, I’ve found the best apps that have made my trips easier and more fun. To get around on the trains, which can be hard to understand, get menus and signs translated, find the best hidden restaurants, and fully experience the fascinating culture, you need the right apps. After many trips across this beautiful country, these are the seven apps I think Japanese travelers should have.
Table of Contents
7 Must-Have Apps for a Smooth Travel Experience in Japan
Google Maps
Google Maps is a must-have app for getting around Japan’s huge cities and complicated public transportation systems. You can get the Japan maps without an internet connection and set your phone to GPS mode so it knows where you are. If you type in any destination, Google Maps will show you how to get there by public transit, including which bus or train to take, where to change lines, and how long each leg will take. This app will save you a lot of time by showing you how to get around Tokyo’s huge train stations and Osaka’s complicated subway system. You won’t get lost with the walking directions feature because it shows you how to get to each street.
A Hyperdia
Hyperdia is the best app for figuring out Japan’s complicated train routes and schedules. Google Maps is good for basic transit routing. You can put in any two stations and this app will show you all the possible routes between them, along with transfers, times, and prices right down to the minute. Hyperdia can plan long trips with multiple legs that use different types of trains, such as the very fast Shinkansen bullet trains. You can also use it to find train times, see maps of stations, and look up transit passes. Tip: Save your favorite routes as bookmarks so you can get to them quickly later.
Translate on Google
Google Translate makes it easy to talk to people in Japan, where English isn’t spoken by many people. With this app, you can use your phone’s camera or microphone to translate Japanese text right away. If you point your camera at Japanese menus, signs, or bus schedules, the text will be translated to English right on your screen. To make conversations easier, you can also say English words and listen to the Japanese translation. You can download the Japanese language pack to translate when you’re not online. This is very helpful for getting around in Japanese train stations and restaurants.
Japan Trips
The Japan National Tourism Organization made this great, free app that puts together a lot of important travel information in one place. Access interactive maps of popular travel spots, see train times and routes, find things to do by prefecture, and see the most up-to-date COVID travel restrictions. There are also currency converters, restaurant finders, safety tips, and Japanese phrase translators that can be very useful. After downloading content packs for the cities you’re going to, you can browse it when you’re not online. It’s a very useful tool for planning your trip through Japan.
TripAdvisor
Smart travelers know that TripAdvisor is the best way to find the best restaurants and things to do at your destination. As of now, there are over 100,000 reviews, making it easy to find the best Japanese restaurants and activities. You can read reviews and see pictures of hotels, restaurants, attractions, nightlife, and shopping by searching by neighborhood or city. Use the bookmark feature to save places you want to see. You can also look through forums to find tips from other people who have been to Japan. Because it has both reviews and forums, TripAdvisor is a great place to plan the perfect trip.
Time lapse
Making stylish timelapse videos with Hyperlapse is a fun way to remember your trips around Japan. You can make stabilized timelapses of long scenes of moving trains, walking tours, and other things with this app. Pick your speed, resolution, and extra effects, then post your work on social media. It’s a great way to show off your trips through Japan’s most beautiful cities and countryside. Hyperlapse turns your videos into works of art, whether they’re of peaceful temple gardens in Kyoto or the bright lights of Shinjuku.
Airbnb
Book an Airbnb stay instead of a crowded hotel and really experience Japanese culture. You can look through thousands of homes, apartments, and rooms in Japan’s cities and hills. Most of the time, Airbnb listings offer more space and extras than hotel rooms for less money. A lot of hosts offer cultural activities like samurai lessons, tea ceremonies, and Japanese meals made in their own homes. To find the right match, read reviews, look at photos, and talk to hosts. Find hidden neighborhoods that aren’t popular with tourists and make friends with locals to get a real taste of Japan.
Conclusion
You have all the tools you need for a stress-free trip through beautiful Japan with these 7 apps. Let Google Maps and Hyperdia help you find your way, TripAdvisor and Airbnb help you plan your trip, Google Translate help you communicate, Japan Travel plan your trip, and Hyperlapse make artistic memories. You can get these before you go on vacation, and they will help you discover the magic of Japan. I hope you like reading “7 Must-Have Apps for a Smooth Travel Experience in Japan”.
Michaela Krajanova is an expert in travel journalism and blogging. With over 10 years of experience and a Master’s degree in Hospitality Management, Michaela Krajanova has cultivated a substantial following on Instagram, showcasing her travel photography and insights. Explore engaging travel guides and stories on her Instagram handle @michaela_krajanova, where she connects with a vibrant community of travel enthusiasts. Michaela’s work makes travel accessible and inspiring for readers around the globe, providing firsthand experiences and expert advice.
