Japan is one of those countries where everything works beautifully… Once you know how it works.
The first time you land, though, it can feel a bit overwhelming – different systems, different rules, and apps you’ve never heard of suddenly becoming essential.
Over the last few months of researching (and testing when I was actually there), I ended up building a very specific app stack that made travelling in Japan smoother, cheaper, and way less stressful. Apps that I nice to have but also those that I actually opened every day, often multiple times a day.
This list isn’t based on what’s popular in app stores or what sounds good on paper. It’s based on real use: finding good food without falling into tourist traps, moving through massive stations without losing your mind, understanding what you’re buying, staying connected, and handling small everyday problems Japan throws at you in very quiet, polite ways.
If you’re travelling to Japan for the first time – or going back and want to do it better – these are the apps I’d recommend installing before you even get on the plane.
Food Apps in Japan
Tabelog
What it does: Tabelog is Japan’s food search engine with map search, hyper‑detailed filters (price, private rooms, late hours), and instant bookings at many restaurants. Great photography and notoriously strict scoring help separate “tourist‑good” from “local‑great.”
Why I loved it: I could filter by open now, skim photos, and book from the train – then show up like a regular.
Drawbacks: Some online reservations carry small booking fees; and a few tiny shops still prefer phone calls or in‑person waits.
Ramen Beast
What it does: A hand‑picked guide to Tokyo (and beyond) ramen shops with deep dives on what to order and why. It doesn’t feature chains, just authentic Japanese spots with delicious ramen.
Why I loved it: I used it once only and had the absolute best ramen of my life.
Drawbacks: Focuses on quality over coverage – so you’ll still use Maps for navigation.
HappyCow – Vegan Food Near You
What it does: Maps vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants and highlights menu notes that matter for dietary preferences.
Why I loved it: It cut the guesswork on broth bases and hidden ingredients.
Drawbacks: Coverage outside big cities can be patchy; cross‑check hours on Maps.
Shopping & Product‑Scanning Apps
Payke
What it does: Scan any product barcode to see ingredients, usage instructions, coupons, and popularity rankings in multiple languages.
Why I loved it: Perfect for drugstores or konbinis: you know if what you’re buying is a shampoo or a… Laxative.
Drawbacks: Not every item is in the database.
Currency
What it does: Quick, offline‑friendly conversions – the app I use for ages cause it’s reliable.
Why I loved it: As above + Sanity check before I decided to buy too much at Don Kichote.
Drawbacks: A seperate app – I know some people prefer using the iOS calculator.
Hot Pepper Beauty
What it does: Let’s you search and book Japanese salons with menus, photos, and reviews.
Why I loved it: I haven’t used it myself but I’ve heard it’s really useful. So if you’re in need or would like to experience this like a local, this could help you make it come true.
Drawbacks: Some listings are only in Japanese (which is understandable); machine‑translate if needed.
Everyday Basic Needs Apps
mymizu
What it does: Maps public fountains and partner cafés for bottle refills; adds tracking and simple feedback to keep spots accurate.
Why I loved it: Saved money, plastic, and time between sightseeing stops.
Drawbacks: In small towns, expect fewer mapped spots, so carry a backup bottle.
Flush: Toilet Finder & Map
What it does: A straightforward map of nearby toilets (+ trashcans!).
Why I loved it: Cause I have gut issues and it gives me all the information I need when I’m desperate in an unfamiliar place.
Drawbacks: Some listings lack amenity details (bidet, baby changing, accessibility).
Navigation & Transit Apps
Google Maps
What it does: Door‑to‑door directions with platform numbers, fares, and line names + in many Tokyo stations, Indoor Live View AR to guide you to the right exit, lockers, lifts, and platforms.
Why I loved it: I haven’t been lost once – I always used what Google Maps told me and yes, sometimes I was a bit confused, trying to look for a specific signage but Maps told me the platform, the train car to board, and the exit number to pop out nearest my café.
Drawbacks: Offline mode strips out live alerts and some indoor detail; load routes before you dive underground.
Japan Travel by NAVITIME
What it does: Detailed train/bus planning, fares, platform info, and tourist‑friendly extras, great complement to Maps.
Why I loved it: When I wanted a second opinion on routes or last trains, NAVITIME felt more “Japan‑native” in its logic.
Drawbacks: Interface depth can be overwhelming – save your favorite routes.
Welcome Suica Mobile (iPhone)
What it does: Issue a digital Suica (transportation card), top up via Apple Pay, tap through gates nationwide, and even board non‑reserved JR East shinkansen segments with balance.
Why I loved it: No cash queues, no paper tickets, no stress.
Drawbacks: iPhone‑first; Android tourists still rely on PASMO or physical ICs depending on device support.
PASMO / Mobile PASMO
What it does: A digital IC alternative especially handy on Tokyo Metro/private lines; add to Apple Wallet and enable Express Transit.
Why I loved it: Seamless taps across buses, subways, and shops—simple and fast.
Drawbacks: Japanese-first; Setup nuances vary by device/region; read the Wallet prompts carefully.
Smart EX
What it does: Reserve bullet‑train seats, choose non‑smoking/window/row, and just ignore the confusing ticket machines.
Why I loved it: I could lock in a window seat on the move, then sync timing with my lunch in Kyoto.
Drawbacks: UI is horrible; triple‑check train names (Nozomi vs. Hikari) before you pay.
Taxis & Ride‑Hailing Apps
GO / Taxi App for Japan
What it does: Calls licensed taxis across most prefectures, supports cashless payment, and shows clear pickup and fare estimates.
Why I loved it: No need to try to communicate with sign language (and then wonder if the driver understood) and clear information about the cost.
Drawbacks: App and pickup fees apply; for ultra‑short hops, street‑hailing can be cheaper.
Uber
What it does: Books licensed taxis (and premium vehicles in some cities) via a familiar app; pricing is transparent or fixed depending on class. Doesn’t apply a “foreigner fee” that you might see in other apps.
Why I loved it: When my brain was fried after all the things I saw and experienced during the day, muscle memory took over: drop a pin, go.
Drawbacks: Fares can be higher than GO or street flags; pickup zones around major stations may be restricted.
Connectivity (Data) & On‑the‑Go Apps
Jetpac: eSIM Travel App
What it does: Download‑and‑go eSIM with Japan plans (1–40 GB) riding on KDDI’s network; simple setup, hotspot sharing, and traveler perks like Smart Delay lounge access. Apparently it has a much better coverage in Japan than any other eSIM company!
Why I loved it: I landed, toggled data on, and everything else in this list just worked – Maps, NAVITIME, Suica, Payke.
Drawbacks: Most plans are data‑only; if you need native voice/SMS, plan alternatives.
Reader perk: At checkout, use code KATG1193 for $5 off – and a smart tip, if you buy more than one card (if you travel with your partner/friend/kid and they also want data on their phone), buy the cards in separate transactions + use the code each time. Then you can stack the $5s 🙂
Japan Wi‑Fi Auto‑Connect
What it does: Auto‑joins public hotspots so you can save data while café‑hopping.
Why I loved it: Perfect when you want to save some of the data you bought.
Drawbacks: Public Wi‑Fi can be slow; don’t rely on it for big uploads.
DeepL
What it does: Text/photo translations with more natural phrasing than in Google Translate – handy for menus and signage.
Why I loved it: It handled nuanced Japanese better than most, especially food terms.
Drawbacks: Not great for live conversations.
Luggage & Weather Apps
ecbo Cloak
What it does: Book nearby storage at cafés, shops, and stations so you can roam bag‑free.
Why I loved it: Freed me up to explore neighborhoods between check‑out and shinkansen.
Drawbacks: Peak‑day availability varies, so reserve early around major stations.
iKASA
What it does: Grab an umbrella, return it anywhere in the network.
Why I loved it: I travelled off-season so I didn’t know if I should save some space in my suitcase for an umbrella. Fortunately, I didn’t have to!
Drawbacks: You’ll see more docks in big cities than rural towns.
ChargeSPOT
What it does: Rent a power bank at convenience stores and transport hubs and return it elsewhere.
Why I loved it: Saved me after a full day of photos + AR navigation.
Drawbacks: Small daily fees stack up – top up at hotels when you can. Additionally, these are not the absolute fastest chargers ever – so if you want that, better bring your own powerbank.
Safety & Alerts Apps
A short foreword: Japan is on a territory that’s extremely active seismically – meaning it’s one of the regions characterised by frequent earthquakes and significant release of seismic energy. This means Japan faces regular high risks of ground shaking, surface faulting, and structural damage due to subduction or rifting. The majority of those would be totally unnoticed when you’re there but if this is something that concerns you and you’d like to know more, here are a few reliable apps.
NERV Disaster Prevention
What it does: Delivers real‑time, plain‑language alerts for earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy rain.
Why I loved it: Clear guidance when an action is needed.
Drawbacks: Don’t enable all the notifications or you’ll go paranoid.
Yurekuru Call
What it does: Earthquake early warnings with intensity maps and location‑aware alerts.
Why I loved it: Gave me some peace of mind when we experienced some shaky-shaky action in Osaka.
Drawbacks: Location accuracy depends on device settings.
Just‑for‑Fun Apps
Stamp Quest
What it does: Multiple locations have their own stamps – but even if you know it’s supposed to be somewhere, you can waste quite a lot of time looking for them. This app gives you directions to each spot, so you can work on your collection on the go.
Why I loved it: Turned transfers into treasure hunts.
Drawbacks: Completionists beware – it’s addictive.
USJ
What it does: The official app of universal Studios Japan. Lets you have your ticket with you in a digital form, shows you the waiting times for rides and timetable for live shows.
Why I loved it: Didn’t need a map or to walk from a ride to ride to verify the waiting times.
Drawbacks: The ticket functionality wasn’t working as it should be, made me panic a bit just before we entered.
So which apps do you actually need in Japan?
You obviously don’t need all of them for every single trip. Japan is incredibly safe, organised, and walkable even without much prep. But having the right tools on your phone changes the experience, like fewer misunderstandings, more energy left for the fun stuff.
My honest advice? Download everything you think you might need, then let your trip decide what stays. And if you feel like it’s not worth the storage space, just delete it 🙂
Want to Read More?
- if you want another list of apps that I always use no matter where I go, check out this blog post
- if you want to see my social media content about Japan, check out my Instagram profile