🇯🇵

Essential apps for

Japan

日本

JapaneseJPY10 apps

Japan runs on cash less than you'd think, but you do need the right apps. Most signage isn't in English, transit is dense, and locals use LINE — not WhatsApp.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeA

Voltage100V

Freq50/60Hz

Lower voltage than most; many laptops/phones handle this fine but check before plugging in hair tools.

💬

Basic phrases

Japanese

Hello
こんにちは
Kon-ni-chi-wa
Thank you
ありがとう
A-ri-ga-tou
Excuse me / Sorry
すみません
Su-mi-ma-sen
Yes
はい
Hai
No
いいえ
Iie

+10 more below

🎎

Tipping

Don't tip. Tipping is awkward at best, offensive at worst. Service is included in the price.

💳Payments & Wallets

See all →

PayPay

Japan's most popular QR-code payment, accepted at most convenience stores.

QR-code payment accepted at most convenience stores and small shops.

iOS Android Website

🗺️Navigation & Maps

See all →

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Works well for general routing.

iOS Android Website

NAVITIME for Japan Travel

Japan's best travel-focused transit and routing app, available in English.

Better than Google for trains — handles JR, subway, and private lines in one routing.

iOS Android Website

💬Translation

See all →

Google Translate

The universal default. Camera mode translates signs and menus instantly.

Camera mode is essential for menus and signs.

iOS Android Website

Waygo

Offline camera translation for Chinese, Japanese, Korean menus. No data required.

Offline Japanese menu translation — works without data.

iOS Android Website

📱Messaging

See all →

LINE

Japan and Taiwan's dominant messaging app. Locals strongly prefer it over WhatsApp.

Locals use this, not WhatsApp. You'll need it to communicate with hosts, guides, salons.

iOS Android Website

🍱Food Delivery

See all →

Tabelog

Japan's trusted restaurant ratings app. Locals use it to find good restaurants.

How locals find real restaurants. 3.5+ stars is meaningful.

iOS Android Website

🚇Public Transit

See all →

Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan)

Detailed train routing across Japan including JR, subway, and private rail.

Backup for cross-country trains and shinkansen.

iOS Android Website

Suica (in Apple Wallet)

Japan's tap-to-pay transit card. Travelers can add it directly to Apple Wallet.

Add to Apple Wallet on iPhone — tap-to-pay across all transit and most convenience stores.

iOS Website

✈️Travel Planning

See all →

Klook

Activities, attractions, and SIM cards across Asia. Better than GetYourGuide in Asia.

Best for activities, theme park tickets, and JR Pass.

iOS Android Website

Phrases

All Japanese phrases

Hello

こんにちは

Kon-ni-chi-wa

Thank you

ありがとう

A-ri-ga-tou

Excuse me / Sorry

すみません

Su-mi-ma-sen

Yes

はい

Hai

いいえ

Iie

Please

お願いします

O-ne-gai-shi-mas

Goodbye

さようなら

Sa-yo-na-ra

How much?

いくらですか

I-ku-ra des-ka

Where is the bathroom?

トイレはどこですか

Toi-re wa do-ko des-ka

The check, please

お会計お願いします

O-kai-kei o-ne-gai-shi-mas

I don't understand

分かりません

Wa-ka-ri-ma-sen

Do you speak English?

英語を話せますか

Eigo o ha-na-se-mas-ka

Help!

助けて

Tasu-ke-te

Delicious

おいしい

Oi-shii

Cheers

乾杯

Kan-pai

Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

Bow when greeting; depth of bow signals respect.
Don't eat or drink while walking — find a spot to stand still.
Remove shoes before entering homes, ryokan, and many restaurants.
Don't blow your nose in public.
Quiet on trains — phone calls are taboo.

✕Don't

Tipping anywhere.
Sticking chopsticks upright in rice (funeral symbolism).
Pouring your own drink at a group dinner.

⚠️ Common scams to know

Touts in Shinjuku/Roppongi pulling you into clubs with hidden cover charges.
Fake monks asking for donations near temples.

Going elsewhere?

More destination guides

🇨🇳China (mainland)🇰🇷South Korea 🇹🇼Taiwan 🇭🇰Hong Kong 🇹🇭Thailand 🇻🇳Vietnam 🇸🇬Singapore 🇮🇩Indonesia 🇵🇭Philippines 🇮🇳India 🇺🇸United States 🇬🇧United Kingdom 🇫🇷France 🇩🇪Germany 🇮🇹Italy 🇪🇸Spain 🇳🇱Netherlands 🇦🇺Australia