Japan’s one of those places where your phone low-key becomes your best travel buddy. From navigating the absolute chaos of Tokyo train stations to figuring out where to eat (without accidentally ordering raw liver), the right apps can save you time, money, and a lot of head scratching.
This isn’t a giant dump of 50 apps you’ll open once and forget. These are the ones you’ll actually use—mapping out your day, booking a theme park ticket on the go, checking when the cherry blossoms hit full bloom, or just trying to find a clean toilet nearby. Most are free, a bunch work offline, and all of them have been road-tested by real travellers (us included).
So if you want your Japan trip to be smoother, smarter, and just way more fun, download a few of these before you go. You’ll thank yourself later.
🚆 Apps for Getting Around Japan
Google Maps
Google Maps is the one app you’ll be using every single day in Japan. It handles walking, trains, buses, and even bike routes. It’s surprisingly accurate for train timings, tells you which train car to board for smoother transfers, and even shows busy times at popular stations.
What makes it even better is its integration with Google My Maps, a separate tool (used via desktop) that lets you create your own travel map. You can pin cafes, shrines, restaurants, or thrift shops you want to visit, colour-code them, write little notes, and group them by trip day or category.
Once saved, this custom map shows up inside the Google Maps app under “Saved > Maps” so you can navigate to those places easily on the go. It’s perfect for planning your Japan adventure ahead of time while keeping everything super accessible during your trip.
Best for:
🔹 Daily navigation while in Japan
🔹 Seeing your saved trip pins directly in the Google Maps app
🔹 Finding business hours, transit transfers, and nearby eats
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
Japan Travel by NAVITIME
Japan Travel by NAVITIME is made specifically with travellers in mind, and it goes deep when it comes to public transport info. It’s excellent for planning train and bus routes with detailed step-by-step directions including platform numbers, train car suggestions, and precise transfer times. You can even see if a route is covered by your JR Pass, so you avoid getting charged extra.
It also supports ferries, flights, and highway buses. One of its most useful features is the ability to save your planned routes for offline use—so even when you’re in the middle of nowhere or underground, you’re still covered. The interface isn’t the slickest and some premium features are locked behind a paywall, but even the free version is incredibly helpful for day-to-day travel.
Best for:
🔹 Planning public transport routes with full detail
🔹 JR Pass users looking to avoid non-covered trains
🔹 Offline navigation for when you’re out of service
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
GO (formerly JapanTaxi)
GO is Japan’s most reliable taxi-hailing app and is the result of a merger between several Japanese ride services. It works in most major cities—Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka—and lets you call a licensed taxi straight to your location, set your destination, see fare estimates, and pay by card in the app.
It’s a godsend when you’ve missed the last train, have a suitcase to lug, or just don’t feel like navigating crowded stations. Some parts of the app are still mainly in Japanese, but the UI is clean enough that most travellers can figure it out, and recent versions have improved English compatibility. In some areas, you can even pre-book your ride.
Best for:
🔹 Booking taxis without language stress
🔹 Late-night trips or airport transfers
🔹 Avoiding the hassle of carrying cash or explaining directions
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
Mobile Suica / PASMO
Suica and PASMO are rechargeable IC cards used for trains, subways, buses, and even everyday purchases at places like 7-Eleven, vending machines, and station lockers. You can buy physical cards, but the easiest way is just to add them to your phone.
If you have an iPhone, you can add a Suica or PASMO directly to your Apple Wallet and top it up using Apple Pay. For Android users, Mobile Suica is available through Google Wallet (but it may require a bit of a workaround depending on your device region settings).
These cards are basically the key to smooth travel in Japan. You tap in, tap out—no buying tickets, no figuring out fares, no stress. And if you’re arriving at Haneda or Narita, you can get started with a Welcome Suica right at the airport.
Best for:
🔹 Getting around by train, subway, or bus without tickets
🔹 Making small purchases at convenience stores and vending machines
🔹 Adding to your phone so you don’t have to carry a physical card
Link:
📱 Suica/Pasmo via Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
💬 Translation & Language Help
Google Translate
Google Translate is an absolute must-have for getting around Japan—especially when you’re trying to decode menus, street signs, or packaging in shops. The app has a camera mode that lets you hover over text and see it instantly translated on your screen, which is perfect for things like train station notices or restaurant menus with zero English.
Even better, it works offline—as long as you download the Japanese language pack beforehand. You’ll still be able to use typed and photo translations without Wi-Fi or mobile data. Just keep in mind that some features like voice conversation mode only work when you’re online, and offline translations can be a bit less accurate. Still, it’s a game-changer for navigating daily life in Japan without having to guess what you’re reading.
Best for:
🔹 Translating menus, signs, packaging and labels
🔹 Using your phone camera to read Japanese text
🔹 Staying functional even when offline
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
💸 Money & Deals
Currency Converter Plus
When you’re constantly switching between yen and your home currency, having a solid converter app is a must. Currency Converter Plus is one of the highest-rated out there, and it’s built for travellers. It gives you live exchange rates, so you’re not relying on outdated numbers—and it pulls data from multiple financial sources to keep things accurate and current.
The interface is super simple: just type in the amount and it shows you the conversion instantly. You can even calculate taxes, tips, and conversions side-by-side. One of the best features? Offline mode.
The app saves the latest rates after each refresh, so you can still check conversions when you’re on a mountain in Kyoto or stuck on a train with no signal. If you’re budgeting daily or comparing prices in real time, this app is seriously useful.
Best for:
🔹 Getting accurate, real-time currency conversions
🔹 Converting prices offline when you don’t have data
🔹 Budgeting on the go or checking if something’s a ripoff
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
🍣 Food Reviews & Restaurant Search
Tabelog
Tabelog is the app locals actually use to rate restaurants, and it’s often way more reliable than Google Reviews when you’re in Japan. The rating scale is stricter, so a place with a 3.5 is already considered really good.
That said, don’t rely too heavily on the scores alone—sometimes incredible spots can be underrated just because they’re casual or unknown to the foodie crowd. But overall, it’s still a much better reflection of quality than what you’ll get on Google.
The app is mostly in Japanese, but the interface is simple enough to figure out. You can search by area or cuisine, and photos are usually included, which helps a ton when you can’t read the menu.
Best for:
🔹 Finding the best-rated spots with honest reviews
🔹 Eating like a local, not a tourist
🔹 Getting past the Google Reviews hype
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
LINE
If you’re visiting Japan and don’t already use LINE, now’s a great time to start. It’s the country’s main messaging app, but even if you’re not here to text local friends, you’ll still want it—especially for eating out. Tons of restaurants and chains use LINE to post updates, take bookings, and send out exclusive discounts to people who add them as a “friend.”
Chains like Sushiro, Kura Sushi, and Hamazushi regularly send out coupon codes through LINE, from free side dishes and discounted plates to early access to new seasonal menu items. Some places even let you order directly in the app or check waiting times before you arrive. You can also browse deals from other nearby restaurants, shops, and cafes through the LINE Coupon section.
Think of LINE in Japan as a mix of WhatsApp, Uber Eats, and your local loyalty app all rolled into one. It’s free, easy to set up, and can save you some money if you’re planning to eat out a lot.
Best for:
🔹 Unlocking exclusive restaurant and food chain discounts
🔹 Ordering ahead and skipping queues
🔹 Getting updates and deals from popular Japanese brands
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
Ramen Beast
This app is a love letter to Japan’s ramen scene. Ramen Beast is built for people who are serious about their noodles—it features a curated list of top-rated ramen joints across the country, complete with in-depth write-ups, shop details, and photos.
It’s available in English and was made by ramen-obsessed locals and expats, so you’re getting real recommendations, not tourist fluff.
Best for:
🔹 Hardcore ramen lovers looking for legit bowls
🔹 Discovering hidden spots you’d never stumble on otherwise
🔹 Navigating the overwhelming ramen scene with confidence
Link:
📱 iOS App Store
HappyCow
If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just trying to eat more plant-based, HappyCow is essential in Japan. It helps you find veg-friendly restaurants, bakeries, cafés, and even convenience store recommendations. It’s crowd-sourced and super reliable, especially in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka where veg options are growing but still not always obvious.
Best for:
🔹 Finding vegetarian and vegan-friendly spots
🔹 Avoiding fish sauce and hidden meat in dishes
🔹 Eating consciously while still exploring local food
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
🎟️ Activities & Attractions
Klook
Klook is a seriously useful app for booking all kinds of activities and passes before or during your trip to Japan. You can buy your JR Pass (including regional ones), theme park tickets like Tokyo Disney or Universal Studios Japan, Ghibli Museum entry, teamLab Planets, and more—all directly through the app.
You’ll often find exclusive discounts, and the best part is that everything is stored in one place on your phone, so you don’t need to print anything or visit ticket counters.
It’s perfect for locking in things that sell out or for avoiding long lines and language barriers. The app also supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and foreign credit cards, which makes the process super smooth for international travellers.
Best for:
🔹 Buying JR Passes, Ghibli, teamLab, and theme park tickets
🔹 Getting instant e-tickets stored in the app
🔹 Booking unique Japan-only experiences (like ninja lessons, cooking classes, etc.)
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is a super handy app for finding and booking activities all across Japan. You’ll find everything from Mt. Fuji day trips and city walking tours to tickets for places like the Ghibli Museum, teamLab, and more. You can search, book, and access your tickets all within the app—no need to go through the website first.
Once you’ve booked something, your tickets are saved in the app, and you can view them offline—just make sure they’re fully downloaded before heading into the mountains or somewhere without signal. You won’t be able to browse or book anything new without internet, but your confirmed bookings will still be accessible when you’re offline.
Many activities include free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, but not all do—so definitely check the cancellation terms on each listing before confirming.
Best for:
🔹 Booking tours, attractions, and unique local experiences
🔹 Storing tickets in-app (with offline access once saved)
🔹 Avoiding language barriers with easy-to-use English listings
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
Tokyo Disney Resort App
If you’re heading to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea, this official app is a must. It gives you real-time wait times for rides and shows, lets you view park maps and make restaurant reservations, and even has mobile ordering at select food stalls.
You can also buy “Premier Access” (like fast passes for the most popular rides) and manage your ticket entry directly through the app.
The interface is mostly in English, and it works pretty well as long as you have internet or pocket Wi-Fi inside the park. It’s also handy for spotting character greetings, showtimes, and parade routes.
Best for:
🔹 Real-time ride wait times and parade schedules
🔹 Premier Access for skipping long lines
🔹 Mobile food ordering and restaurant bookings inside the park
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) App
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka can get wildly crowded, and this app is key to making the most of your visit. It shows you live wait times for all the rides, lets you access interactive maps, and helps you grab Timed Entry eTickets for zones like Super Nintendo World (which you literally can’t enter without one on most days).
It also gives show schedules, restaurant info, and the option to link your entry tickets or Express Passes. If you’re planning to do all the big-name attractions (Mario Kart, Harry Potter, Jujutsu Kaisen), this app makes a huge difference for queue management and day planning.
Best for:
🔹 Checking ride queues and navigating the park
🔹 Getting entry to restricted areas like Super Nintendo World
🔹 Linking tickets and Express Passes for faster access
Link:
📱iOS App Store | Google Play
🥾 Outdoor Adventures & Weather Tools
Komoot
If you’re into hiking, cycling, or just want to explore more nature-y parts of Japan, Komoot is your go-to. It lets you build super custom routes based on activity type (like hiking, trail running, or biking), fitness level, and the kind of surface or elevation you’re up for. You get voice navigation, detailed trail info, and offline maps that actually work—perfect for when you’re out in the countryside or deep in the mountains.
You can track your routes with GPS, save highlights, add notes, and even snap pics to pin along the trail. It also syncs with Garmin, Wahoo, and other devices if you’re going hardcore. The free version includes one region for offline use, and you can unlock more if you’re planning to explore multiple areas.
Best for:
🔹 Planning custom hikes or bike rides based on terrain
🔹 Offline navigation with voice guidance
🔹 Tracking your routes and sharing them with the Komoot community
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
tenki.jp
Japan’s top local weather app. tenki.jp gives you ultra-detailed forecasts that go way beyond “rain or shine.” You get real-time radar, typhoon tracking, UV and pollen levels, and even earthquake alerts. You can also set it to show rain percentages as a badge on your app icon, which is super helpful for checking weather at a glance.
It’s mostly in Japanese, but if you’re just using it for the visual info (icons, radar, temps, etc.), you’ll be fine. It’s especially good if you’re planning outdoor stuff or travelling in rainy or typhoon seasons—way more accurate than the built-in weather app.
Best for:
🔹 Getting hyper-local forecasts and typhoon updates
🔹 Day trips or hikes where weather timing matters
🔹 Checking radar maps without relying on English-only apps
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
🌿 Randomly Genius
mymizu
mymizu (which literally means “my water” in Japanese) is a clever little app designed to help you stay hydrated and reduce your plastic waste while travelling. It shows you thousands of free water refill spots across Japan—everything from public drinking fountains to cafés and shops that have agreed to let you fill up your bottle, no purchase needed.
You can search by map or list, filter by types of refill stations, and track your refills to see how many plastic bottles you’ve saved. Some refill spots are official partners, others are user-submitted, and you can even add your own. It’s especially useful in summer or if you’re constantly out and about sightseeing.
The app’s available in English, and it’s super easy to use—even if you’ve never used an eco app before. Bonus: it feels pretty satisfying to see your little counter go up every time you refill.
Best for:
🔹 Finding free water refill stations across cities and tourist spots
🔹 Travelling sustainably and reducing plastic use
🔹 Staying hydrated without constantly buying bottled drinks
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
Check a Toilet
Yes, the name is hilarious—but this app is a total lifesaver. Check a Toilet is built to help you find public toilets all over Japan, especially ones that are wheelchair accessible or have other helpful features like baby-changing tables or private stalls.
It was originally designed for accessibility, so it includes a lot of detail that other toilet-finder apps just don’t—things like whether there’s a Western-style toilet (not just squat), whether there’s an ostomate-friendly facility, or if there’s space for carers. Even if you’re not travelling with accessibility needs, the app is a gem when you’re in a pinch and need a clean, public toilet nearby.
The app is in English and covers most major cities and train stations, and you can search by map or category depending on what you need. Whether you’re travelling with kids, elderly family, or just like knowing where to go in case of emergency—this one’s worth having.
Best for:
🔹 Finding clean, public toilets in cities and transit hubs
🔹 Locating accessible toilets with extra info (like wheelchair access)
🔹 Avoiding toilet-related panic in unfamiliar areas
Link:
📱 iOS App Store
🚨 Emergency & Safety
NERV Disaster Prevention App
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, and this app is basically your early warning system. The NERV Disaster App (yes, inspired by Evangelion but very real) is one of the most trusted sources for real-time alerts on earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and other natural disasters.
It taps directly into data from Japan’s Meteorological Agency, so when something happens, this app often notifies you faster than anything else—even before you feel the quake.
It shows you the seismic intensity, countdowns to shaking, and whether a tsunami warning is in effect. It also covers things like landslides, heavy rain, and volcanic activity. The best part? It’s available in English, with clean visuals that are easy to read even when you’re in panic mode. It stays quiet when nothing’s happening, but when something does, you’ll be really glad you have it installed.
Best for:
🔹 Real-time alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, and severe weather
🔹 Staying informed during typhoons or natural disasters
🔹 Accurate, official info without relying on social media panic
Link:
📱 iOS App Store | Google Play
Apps That’ll Seriously Level Up Your Japan Trip
There’s no shortage of things to explore in Japan—but having the right apps makes a huge difference. They’ll help you move around with confidence, eat better, stress less, and experience more than just the touristy highlights.
Download a few of these ahead of time, poke around, and set yourself up for a smoother, more fun trip. And hey, once you’re out there figuring things out on the fly or stumbling into a tiny hidden ramen shop—you’ll be glad your phone’s got your back. Safe travels and happy adventuring!
