Four Essential Apps to Download Before Going to Japan

When traveling to Japan for the first time, you're likely filled with excitement and perhaps some anxiety. Downloading these four apps can make your trip easier and help you avoid some travel problems!

1. eSIM App like Ubigi or Airalo

First of all, how do you stay connected to the internet while traveling?

While there are many options to get an internet connection, such as adding an international plan from a mobile carrier, buying a SIM card, or renting a pocket Wi-Fi, eSIM has become a particularly convenient option for travelers in recent years. I've tried Airalo and it is pretty good!

By purchasing a plan for the destination country through the app and setting it up beforehand, you can start using the internet as soon as you arrive. There's no need to carry an extra thing and worry about charging, losing or returning. Moreover, it's cheaper than international plans from mobile carriers, and since it uses local leading carriers, speed is not an issue. If you run out of data, you can easily purchase additional data through the app.

Use my Airalo code when signing up for a discount: AYAKA6403

2. Google Maps

Google Maps works great in Japan. Not only does it provide detailed directions to where you want to go and navigate complex subway transfers, but it is also useful when searching for nearby restaurants, shops, and hotels. With the ability to check reviews, it's an all-in-one tool for travel planning. I heavily rely on Google Maps and would say it’s my travel must-have.

3. Mobile Suica or PASMO

This isn’t quite the same as downloading an app, but it’s another essential thing to add to your phone before traveling to Japan.

Public transportation in Japan is quite convenient, and you'll likely be using trains and buses to get around during your trip. Japan has prepaid transportation cards such as Suica and PASMO that allow you to simply tap in and out to pass through ticket gates or transfer trains and buses instead of buying tickets for every ride.

Suica and PASMO cards used to be available for purchase at almost any station. However, due to chip shortages since 2023, card sales have been restricted, and they're now only available at a few stations. For tourists, limited-time Suica and PASMO cards are sold only at Haneda Airport Terminal 3, often resulting in long queues. 

Mobile Suica or Mobile PASMO are more convenient than the physical cards. You can add these to your Apple or Google Wallet directly from those wallets and use them with Apple or Google Pay. This lets you to simply tap your phone to ride the train without needing a physical card.

You can use credit cards to add money on your Suica or PASMO so you don’t need to worry about having cash for trains and buses. Plus, these transit cards can be used for shopping at convenience stores, so keeping it on your phone saves you the hassle of pulling out your wallet. Since they work offline, you can still use them for public transportation even without internet access. 

However, it should be noted that sometimes Visa cards issued outside Japan may not be accepted for recharging. I would recommend to have a Mastercard or American Express card on hand just in case.

4. Google Translate

Google Translate isn't always the best for conversations, but its camera feature can be quite helpful.

Japan is a relatively easy country to travel to even if you cannot read the local language, as many roads are marked in English, but many restaurants still do not have English menus. That’s where Google Translate comes in handy. The translation is not perfect yet, but it is still helpful to know what to order.

These are the apps you'll definitely want to download before going to Japan. Hope you can enjoy your trip to Japan with proper preperations!