By: Little Traveler
Traveling to Japan independently is the norm these days, but for Hong Kongers who aren’t familiar with Japanese, it can be a bit inconvenient. Fortunately, with just your smartphone and a few apps, you can travel smoothly without any issues. However, whether on iOS or the Play Store, there are simply too many Japan travel apps to choose from. This time, we’ve carefully selected the following 5 apps that cover transportation, food, and more—just download them before you go, and you’ll be all set for your trip!
1. Norikae Annai
The first challenge of traveling in Japan is figuring out transportation. The country’s transport network is denser than a spiderweb, and even locals sometimes get overwhelmed. Download “Norikae Annai” before your trip to help you find the most convenient routes. Although it’s in Japanese, you can actually understand it by looking at the kanji characters. Just enter the station name, and it will clearly show you detailed information such as train schedules, intervals, and even which platforms to transfer to and when.
2. Tokyo Metro App
Getting lost in Tokyo’s complex subway system is all too common, so having this official app from Tokyo Metro is essential when visiting Tokyo. The app clearly lists all 9 Metro lines, marks transfer points, and provides information on directions and detailed station data.
3. Japan Wi-Fi
For budget travelers or those looking to save money, you can skip buying a data SIM card in Japan because free Wi-Fi is widely available. After installing this app, you can locate public Wi-Fi hotspots in places such as airports, major stations, and even popular landmarks like Shinjuku and Akihabara. You can apply for it before you leave Hong Kong.
4. Japan Travel Activity E-Guidebook
Still carrying around a bulky travel guidebook the size of a dictionary? Save some space and maybe pack a few more sheet masks instead. Download the official “Visit-Japan” e-guidebook from the Japan Tourism Agency’s website, which includes the latest travel information from across Japan, including shopping tips.
5. Japan Travel Conversations at Your Fingertips
One of the biggest challenges when traveling in Japan is that even if you know English, it might not be much use. Learning a few useful Japanese phrases before your trip can make things much easier. This app compiles various types of practical conversations, such as asking for directions, ordering food, taking transportation, and more, and it even includes pronunciation guides.
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