Best Apps for Traveling in Japan

🚆 1. Japan Train & Transport Apps
📌 Jorudan (Japan Transit Planner) – Route & Train Schedule
🔹 Best for: Finding the fastest train and subway routes in Japan
🔹 Features:
✅ Accurate train schedules, including Shinkansen & JR lines
✅ Fare calculations & alternative routes
✅ Works offline with saved routes
🔹 Download:
👉 Jorudan (Japan Transit Planner)
📌 NAVITIME for Japan Travel – All-in-One Guide
🔹 Best for: Full transport & travel planning in Japan
🔹 Features:
✅ Train, bus, and airport transfer navigation
✅ Free Wi-Fi hotspot finder
✅ Sightseeing & hotel recommendations
✅ Supports Japan Rail Pass route planning
🔹 Download:
👉 NAVITIME for Japan Travel
🍣 2. Food & Restaurant Apps
📌 Gurunavi (Japan Restaurant Guide) – Find & Book Restaurants
🔹 Best for: Discovering top-rated local restaurants
🔹 Features:
✅ English menus & photos of dishes
✅ Discount coupons for popular restaurants
✅ Easy online booking
🔹 Download:
👉 Gurunavi – Japan’s Best Restaurant Guide
📌 SAVOR JAPAN – Local Food Guide & Deals
🔹 Best for: Finding hidden gem restaurants & food tours
🔹 Features:
✅ Search by cuisine, location, or dietary needs
✅ Exclusive restaurant coupons & discounts
✅ Guides to traditional Japanese dishes
🔹 Download:
👉 SAVOR JAPAN – Authentic Japanese Cuisine
🛍️ 3. Shopping & Discount Apps
📌 Japan Shopping Coupons – Exclusive Discounts
🔹 Best for: Getting discounts at Japanese stores
🔹 Features:
✅ Coupons for electronics, cosmetics, fashion
✅ Duty-free shopping guides
✅ Works in Don Quijote, Bic Camera, and more
🔹 Download:
👉 Japan Shopping Coupons
🏨 4. Hotel & Accommodation Apps
📌 Rakuten Travel – Best Hotel Deals in Japan
🔹 Best for: Budget-friendly & luxury hotel booking
🔹 Features:
✅ Find hotels, Ryokan (traditional inns), and capsule hotels
✅ Earn Rakuten points for discounts
✅ Exclusive foreign traveler discounts
🔹 Download:
👉 Rakuten Travel
🎌 5. Sightseeing & Experience Booking Apps
📌 Klook – Tours, Attractions, and SIM Cards
🔹 Best for: Discounted tickets for theme parks & cultural experiences
🔹 Features:
✅ Book Tokyo Disneyland, teamLab Planets, Ghibli Museum
✅ Get discounts on local tours & transport passes
✅ SIM card & eSIM for staying connected in Japan
🔹 Download:
👉 Klook – Japan Travel Deals
🗾 6. Language & Communication Apps
📌 Google Translate – Japanese Language Help
🔹 Best for: Instant Japanese translation
🔹 Features:
✅ Camera translation (translate menus, signs, etc.)
✅ Offline mode available
✅ Voice translation for conversations
🔹 Download:
👉 Google Translate
📌 Summary: Must-Have Apps for Japan Travel
| Category | App Name | Main Features | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚆 Train & Transport | Jorudan (Japan Transit Planner) | Fastest routes, train schedules | Download |
| 🚆 Transport & Navigation | NAVITIME for Japan Travel | JR Pass planning, Wi-Fi spots, bus & subway info | Download |
| 🍣 Food & Restaurants | Gurunavi | Restaurant reviews, English menus, coupons | Download |
| 🍜 Local Food Guide | SAVOR JAPAN | Hidden gem restaurants, food guides | Download |
| 🛍️ Shopping Discounts | Japan Shopping Coupons | Exclusive discounts in stores | Download |
| 🏨 Hotel Booking | Rakuten Travel | Best deals for hotels & Ryokan | Download |
| 🎢 Attractions & Experiences | Klook | Tickets for Disneyland, Ghibli, teamLab, etc. | Download |
| 🗣️ Translation | Google Translate | Instant Japanese-English translation | Download |
✨ Final Tips for Travelers in Japan
✅ Download these apps before arriving for smooth travel.
✅ Use an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi for reliable internet access.
✅ Book Shinkansen, hotels, and tours in advance for discounts.
✅ Always carry an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for easy transport payments.
With these essential travel apps, your trip to Japan will be stress-free, enjoyable, and packed with great deals! 🇯🇵✨
📱 Best Currency Exchange Apps for Traveling in Japan 🇯🇵
When traveling to Japan, it’s essential to keep track of real-time exchange rates and find the best places to exchange money. Here are the best currency exchange apps that provide accurate rates, conversion tools, and local exchange locations to help you save money during your trip. 💴💵
1️⃣ XE Currency – Best for Live Exchange Rates
🔹 Best for: Real-time exchange rates & currency conversion
🔹 Features:
✅ Accurate exchange rates for Japanese Yen (JPY) and 130+ currencies
✅ Offline mode (stores latest exchange rates)
✅ Sends rate alerts when currency values change
✅ Fast currency converter
🔹 Download:
👉 XE Currency
2️⃣ Wise (Formerly TransferWise) – Best for Sending Money
🔹 Best for: Sending & receiving money at the best exchange rate
🔹 Features:
✅ Lowest fees for currency exchange & international transfers
✅ Multi-currency wallet (hold JPY and other currencies)
✅ ATM card for easy spending
✅ Real exchange rates (no hidden fees)
🔹 Download:
👉 Wise
3️⃣ Currency Converter Plus – Best for Offline Use
🔹 Best for: Quick offline currency conversion
🔹 Features:
✅ Works without internet (great for traveling!)
✅ Simple & fast currency converter
✅ Daily rate updates for accurate conversions
✅ Supports cryptocurrency conversion
🔹 Download:
👉 Currency Converter Plus
4️⃣ OANDA Currency Converter – Best for Market Data
🔹 Best for: Traders & business travelers
🔹 Features:
✅ Real-time Forex data and historical exchange rates
✅ Customizable exchange rate alerts
✅ Tracks mid-market rates & bank rates
✅ Offline mode for convenience
🔹 Download:
👉 OANDA Currency Converter
📌 Summary: Best Apps for Currency Exchange in Japan
| Category | App Name | Best for | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💱 Live Exchange Rates | XE Currency | Real-time currency rates & conversion | Download |
| 🌍 International Transfers | Wise | Sending & receiving money with low fees | Download |
| 📴 Offline Currency Conversion | Currency Converter Plus | Works without internet | Download |
| 📊 Market Data & Forex Trading | OANDA Currency Converter | Advanced exchange rate tracking | Download |
✨ Final Tips for Currency Exchange in Japan
✅ Avoid exchanging money at the airport – Rates are often worse than city exchange counters.
✅ Use ATMs in 7-Eleven or post offices – They accept international cards and have fair rates.
✅ Check exchange rates before exchanging money – Use XE or OANDA for real-time rates.
✅ Consider a multi-currency travel card – Wise offers the best rates for payments and withdrawals.
✅ Carry some cash in Japan – Many small stores and rural areas don’t accept credit cards.
With these apps, you can track exchange rates, find the best places to exchange money, and make smarter currency conversions while traveling in Japan. 🇯🇵💴✨
🚖 How to Estimate Taxi Fares in Japan
If you’re traveling in Japan and want to know how much a taxi ride will cost before booking, several online tools can help you calculate estimated fares. Here are some of the best websites and apps to check taxi prices in Japan.
1️⃣ Taxi Site (タクシーサイト)
Taxi Site provides fare estimates by inputting the departure and destination locations. It supports different fare structures across Japan, including highway tolls and late-night surcharges.
🔹 Features:
✅ Enter your start and end locations for a fare estimate
✅ Includes highway tolls and night fares
✅ Works for cities across Japan
🔗 Website: https://www.taxisite.com/far/
2️⃣ NAVITIME Taxi Fare Calculator
NAVITIME offers route-based taxi fare estimates, showing the expected price and travel route.
🔹 Features:
✅ Check fares between train stations, bus stops, and landmarks
✅ Choose between regular roads or highways
✅ Available for nationwide routes
🔗 Website: https://www.navitime.co.jp/taxi/
3️⃣ GO Taxi Fare Estimator
GO is a popular taxi-hailing app in Japan, and their fare calculator lets you estimate costs before booking.
🔹 Features:
✅ Supports nationwide taxi fare calculations
✅ Displays estimated route & total fare
✅ Works with the GO taxi-hailing app
🔗 Website: https://go.goinc.jp/charge-search
4️⃣ Yukisoft Taxi Fare Calculator
Yukisoft provides distance-based taxi fare estimates, giving you a rough idea of costs for different routes.
🔹 Features:
✅ Calculates estimated fares based on distance
✅ Supports different pricing rules for Japanese cities
✅ Useful for comparing different routes
🔗 Website: https://www.yukisoft.co.jp/taxi-fare/index.php
📌 Things to Keep in Mind
🚖 Actual fares may vary depending on traffic, chosen route, and waiting time.
🚖 Late-night fares (usually after 10 PM) have a surcharge of 20-30%.
🚖 Highway tolls are added separately if the taxi takes expressways.
🚖 Most taxis accept credit cards and IC cards (Suica, PASMO), but some only take cash.
By using these taxi fare estimation tools, you can plan your transportation costs more effectively while traveling in Japan! 🇯🇵✨
📱 Best Taxi Apps for Traveling in Japan 🇯🇵
Getting around Japan can be challenging, especially if you don’t speak Japanese. Fortunately, there are several taxi-hailing apps that support English and cashless payments, making it easier to get a ride anywhere in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Here are the best taxi apps for travelers in Japan. 🚖✨
1️⃣ GO – The Largest Taxi App in Japan
Overview: GO is the most widely used taxi-hailing app in Japan, available in all 47 prefectures. It was created by merging JapanTaxi and MOV, making it Japan’s largest taxi network.
🔹 Best for: Fast taxi booking across Japan
🔹 Features:
✅ Available in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, and more
✅ Supports cashless payments via app
✅ AI-powered smart taxi reservations
✅ English support
🔹 Download:
👉 iOS: App Store
👉 Android: Google Play
2️⃣ Uber Taxi – Global Ride-Hailing in Japan
Overview: Uber operates in Japan’s major cities, but unlike in other countries, it mainly connects users with licensed taxis instead of private drivers.
🔹 Best for: Tourists familiar with Uber’s interface
🔹 Features:
✅ Operates in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and more
✅ Price estimate before booking
✅ Cashless payments & credit card support
✅ Safe & reliable with driver details shown
🔹 Download:
👉 iOS: App Store
👉 Android: Google Play
3️⃣ DiDi – International Taxi Service in Japan
Overview: Originally from China, DiDi is now available in Japan’s major cities, offering a multilingual taxi-hailing service.
🔹 Best for: International travelers looking for discounts
🔹 Features:
✅ Available in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Okinawa
✅ Supports multiple languages, including English
✅ Frequent discount coupons for first-time users
✅ Cashless credit card payments & PayPay support
🔹 Download:
👉 iOS: App Store
👉 Android: Google Play
4️⃣ S.RIDE – Quick & Easy Taxi Hailing
Overview: This Japanese taxi app provides quick taxi bookings in Tokyo and surrounding areas. It’s designed to minimize waiting times.
🔹 Best for: Business travelers & Tokyo visitors
🔹 Features:
✅ Covers Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama
✅ Swipe to request a taxi instantly
✅ No advance reservation needed
✅ Works with Apple Pay and Google Pay
🔹 Download:
👉 iOS: App Store
👉 Android: Google Play
📌 Summary: Best Taxi Apps in Japan
| App | Best For | Main Features | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚖 GO | Largest Taxi Network in Japan | Available in 47 prefectures, AI taxi reservations, cashless payment | iOS / Android |
| 🚕 Uber Taxi | Familiar Uber Experience | Available in major cities, estimated fare before booking | iOS / Android |
| 🚖 DiDi | International & Discount Coupons | Available in major cities, multilingual support, frequent promo codes | iOS / Android |
| 🚖 S.RIDE | Fast & Simple Taxi Booking | Swipe to book instantly, works with Apple Pay & Google Pay | iOS / Android |
✨ Tips for Using Taxis in Japan
✅ Not all taxis accept credit cards – Apps like GO and Uber allow cashless payments.
✅ Tipping is not required in Japan – Drivers will politely refuse tips.
✅ Taxi doors open automatically – Wait for the driver to open the door before getting in.
✅ Use an app for English support – Hailing a taxi on the street can be difficult if you don’t speak Japanese.
✅ Check estimated fares before booking – Apps like Uber and DiDi show approximate costs before you confirm.
With these taxi apps, you can easily navigate Japan without worrying about language barriers or cash payments. 🚖🇯🇵✨