Japan
Rail-first travel, flexible IC cards, official Shinkansen booking, and disaster alerts
Visit Japan Web is an official browser service for immigration, customs and eligible tax-free workflows, not an app.
The essentials
What to know before you go to Japan
Use only services.digital.go.jp because Japan's Digital Agency warns about lookalike apps. A JAPAN eVISA is separate and, when required, its issuance notice must be displayed live on a connected device at departure; a screenshot or printout is not accepted. From November 1, 2026, Japan changes tax-free shopping to a refund system: eligible travelers pay tax at purchase, obtain customs confirmation when departing within 90 days, then receive the refund from the participating business. Rail is the default in major destinations.
On a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch, adding Suica, PASMO or ICOCA directly in Apple Wallet may be simplest. Welcome Suica Mobile is a separate iOS visitor app with 180-day validity and no balance refund. There is no current version for ordinary overseas Android phones; JR East has announced Samsung Galaxy support for the first half of 2027, not today. Physical Welcome Suica and the new TOURIST PASMO are 28-day alternatives, with current sales locations and no stored-value refunds.
Cards are common, but carry yen. PayPay is built around locally verified accounts and is not a sensible arrival install. Google Maps is the best general planner, with Japan Travel by NAVITIME useful for pass filters and complex rail. GO covers all 47 prefectures and supports foreign numbers and cards, but short-term visitors pay an international service charge plus applicable taxi and app fees.
Install Safety tips, save police 110, fire and ambulance 119, and keep JNTO's 24-hour visitor hotline available offline.
Ride Hailing
Uber
A familiar way to dispatch licensed taxis or premium vehicles in supported Japanese cities and regions.
GO
Japan's widest local taxi-dispatch app, with English, foreign-number signup and international-card support.
Food Delivery
Uber Eats
The simplest visitor delivery option in supported Japanese cities, using a familiar international account.
Navigation
Google MapsEssential
The best general map for Japanese places, walking and most city rail and bus journey planning.
Japan Travel by NAVITIME
A Japan-focused comparison for detailed rail routes, platforms, passes and offline travel planning.
Transit
Language
Google TranslateEssential
A practical Japanese-language aid for typed phrases, signs, menus and simple conversations.
Intercity Transport
SmartEX
The official English booking tool for Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen journeys in supported app-store regions.
Restaurants
TabelogEssential
Japan's leading local restaurant search and review tool, now available in a multilingual traveler app.
Utilities
Safety tipsEssential
Japan's official visitor-focused app for earthquake, tsunami, weather, heat, volcano and civil-protection alerts.
Also covered
Internet in Japan
Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling
Guac
RecommendedReliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
Airalo
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Holafly
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Buying a local SIM card ID registration required
- Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
- SoftBank prepaid tourist SIM includes 3GB for 30 days and costs around $11.50.
- Airport counters and city carrier stores are the easiest places to buy; confirm activation before leaving.
- Local eSIM is available and follows the same identity rules as a physical SIM.
Most tourist plans are data-only, so services that require a local number or SMS may not work.
Local carriers
NTT Docomo
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
SoftBank
Tourist-friendly choice with a straightforward purchase process.
au (KDDI)
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Tourist MVNOs
Tourist-friendly choice with a straightforward purchase process.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have apps for traveling in Japan?
The essential apps for Japan are Google Maps, Google Translate, Tabelog, Safety tips.
How many travel apps does Japan have?
We've curated 10 apps across 9 categories for traveling in Japan, including 4 essential apps.
What is the best ride hailing app in Japan?
Uber. A familiar way to dispatch licensed taxis or premium vehicles in supported Japanese cities and regions.
Keep exploring
Also traveling in East Asia?
South Korea
Use Naver Map, visitor-ready taxi and dining apps, and a separate transit balance
Macau
Official bus tracking, metered taxis and typhoon alerts for Macau
Taiwan
Cash, a physical EasyCard and a few well-chosen apps cover most trips
China
Set up payments, maps and transport before entering mainland China
Hong Kong
Use Octopus to pay, Citymapper to travel, and MyObservatory for official weather warnings