Useful Apps for Japan Travel: Japan is a sought-after destination for many travellers, and for good reason!
It’s known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and technological marvels.
If you plan to embark on your journey to this country, careful planning is essential.
Fortunately, several applications cater to various trip aspects, including transportation, dining, and navigation.
In this article, we’ll explore nine useful Japan travel apps, ensuring a smooth venture from start to finish!
Google Maps
Navigating a new country is a thrilling adventure, but it can also be challenging.
That’s especially true if you have a poor sense of direction.
That’s when Google Maps comes to the rescue.
Even if you’re good with roads, this app is a must-have for travellers.
For starters, the app shows your live location and helps you find the best route to your destination.
However, what makes it a true saviour is the Live View function, especially when dealing with labyrinthine stations.
To illustrate this, Nagoya station is the world’s largest by-floor area at 410,000 square meters!
So this app will come in handy.
Simply tap the Live View function in the app, scan your surroundings with the camera, and you’re done!
The map will guide you on how to get out of the station and reach your desired destination.
Japan Travel by NAVITIME
When planning your Japan adventure, Google Maps might not be your best bet.
Combining it with Japan Travel by NAVITIME can help you find the optimal route.
As the name suggests, this app is exclusive to Japan’s navigation.
Visitors can choose from various railway passes, including JR Rails and Tokyo Wide.
Not only that, but you can also use the filter feature to see the trains covered by your pass.
The best part is that the map and the train planner are free!
However, the perks don’t stop there! You don’t have to spend time searching for stores or ATMs.
With a simple tap on the screen, the app will show nearby Wi-Fi hotspots, restaurants, convenience stores, and more!
Japan Transit Planner
Norikae Annai – Japan Transit Planner – is a bilingual navigation software for Japan.
Japan Transit Planner, or Jorudan as often known, is an online and smartphone application.
It allows you to search train, highway bus, and airline schedules in Japan and compare rates in 13 languages, including Japanese, English, French, Spanish, and German.
Google Translate
As a traveller, nothing can be more intimidating than the language barrier. Google Translate is here to help. The app can decipher over 100 languages, including Japanese!
Sure, most public places, including bus stations, trains, and airports, have English signs.
Popular tourist destinations are usually also fine.
So, you won’t likely face any challenges when visiting them.
However, when travelling further away from big cities, the only language you will encounter is Japanese.
Local restaurants are also the same.
Not to mention, shopping can be difficult since all the products are in Japanese.
In such cases, Google Translate can be handy.
All you have to do is open the app, select the camera icon to scan, and tap the part you want Google to translate.
Xe Converter and Money Transfer
Managing your expenses in a foreign country like Japan can be challenging.
That’s where the Xe Converter and Money Transfer come into play, serving as your financial compass.
With the app, you can monitor live exchange rates and historical charts.
That allows you to choose the most profitable time to convert your home currency into yen.
You can also use it to figure out food costs and other necessities. This can be a valuable tool if you’re on a budget.
All you need to do is enter your home country in one box and Japanese yen in the other.
Then, type in the amount you want to convert to get the results!
What’s more, you can use it to transfer money, but only if you have a bank account in Japan.
Tokyo Metro Subway Map
When thinking about exploring Japan, Tokyo is a must-visit.
After all, it’s the most popular city in Japan among foreigners.
The subway is the best way to navigate this city.
The only problem is that Tokyo’s metro system can be intricate and overwhelming.
So, you need apps like the Tokyo Metro Subway Map to help you with your journey.
It provides comprehensive subway maps, helping you understand the complex routes better.
The Tokyo Metro app also has a user-friendly interface.
All you have to do is pick the station you’re at and the desired destination.
It’ll show you the best trains to take.
Eki-Net
Whether you’re travelling in Tokyo or neighbouring areas, you’re likely to use JR Group services.
The former is one of the largest railway companies in Japan.
It consists of several operating companies.
EKi-Net is among these subsidiaries.
Unlike the above, this transportation service isn’t an application but a ticketing website.
The company’s trains are in charge of the east region, covering places like Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa.
It lets you secure your seats in advance, bypassing long lines and ensuring a hassle-free commute!
Moreover, Eki-Net offers several passes, helping you explore Japan’s cities without breaking the bank!
PayKe
No travelling venture is complete without some shopping!
The only problem is that you can’t read the label unless you speak Japanese.
This can be tricky, especially with food, since many people have allergies or follow strict diets.
Even if you recognize the package of a product, it’s not 100% guaranteed that it has the same ingredients as the ones manufactured in your home country.
The good news is that applications like PayKe can make your shopping journey effortless.
All you need to do is scan the product’s barcode, and the app will provide the label’s information in your language. It sounds great, right?
However, the benefits don’t stop there! PayKe also shows the most popular items in your area.
So, whether it’s cosmetics, souvenirs, or more, you can purchase high-quality items without reading a ton of reviews.
OpenTable
Figuring out what to eat can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine.
Luckily, several restaurant of food apps, like OpenTable, can help you make this decision.
What makes this food app unique is that it recommends the most popular places in your area.
You can search through cuisine or look for specific restaurants.
You can also view the ratings and reviews to make an informed decision.
Once you decide on a place, all you need to do is make the booking.
Simply select your preferred time slot, follow the prompts, and you’re done!
Wrapping Up
Embarking on a journey through Japan can be thrilling, but it comes with some challenges.
Sometimes, this means you cannot experience the best of Japanese culture or food and have to go to places with English menus.
Luckily, modern technology is here to help!
We have covered some of the best Japan travel apps to make visiting Japan easier.
Applications like Google Maps and Tokyo Metro Subway Map help you navigate the country without getting lost.
Other Useful Apps for Japan, like Eki-net, Xe Converter, and PayKe, help you reserve train seats and shop with ease, all while managing your budget.
And if you’re looking for delicious restaurants, OpenTable can help you book the best dining experience.
So, don’t forget to download these helpful apps for Japan travel before you explore the Land of the Rising Sun!
And banish worries of not making the most of your trip due to the Japanese language.
