Here are the apps you need for Japan in order to make your time so much easier.
Google Translate
This means you can hold a camera over a Japanese menu and immediately see what it says in English.
Read my tips here on what to do if you are having any problems getting a message across in Japan.
MamaPapaMap
This is a great app for finding change tables and places to feed baby while on the go. It’s excellent and I’ve never met a Japanese mum who doesn’t rely on this app heavily.
See here for my tips if your child is of toilet training age in Japan.
See my tips here on where to buy nappies in Japan.
See my tips here on where to baby food in Japan.
Flush
This is a worldwide app for finding toilets. It works pretty well. I recommend using it in conjunction with the Mamapapamap app listed above for the most success.
Google Maps
Google Maps in Japan is NEXT level. It will tell you which platform to get on trains, the closest station exit and even which carriage is closest to where you need to go. I couldn’t do Japan without it. There is also a way to change the settings to show you the route to use when you are moving around with suitcases or a stroller in Japan and need elevator access to be a priority. Here is my article on how google maps in Japan is going to improve your whole holiday. This is also really handy if you plan on driving in Japan.
Japan Travel – Smart Transit
Google maps is my go-to over this but it can be handy for real time transit details and also Japan Rail Pass customized routes.
Welcome Suica
This is a Suica app but for tourists. This means you can tap on and off at train stations without a ticket. Unfortunately, this is not an option for android users and also not for children (they will need a physical card – I explain here. )
Yurekuru Call or the NERV Disaster Prevention app
These are earthquake prewarning apps.
Download the Yurekuru Call app. It’s free and will give an alarm as early as 30 seconds before an earthquake occurs – that precious 30 seconds can help me get to the kiddies etc. If you put this app on your phone make sure that you get the settings sorted, otherwise the alarm will sound for teeny, tiny wobbles – even for earthquakes in completely different parts of Japan. I set it for a 3 or 4 or higher (Shindo/Seismic Intensity). An alternative to Yurukuru is the NERV Disaster Prevention app.
Here are my tips / instructions for what to do if there is an earthquake while you are in Japan.
This is my family earthquake plan for Japan – in case you’d like to take a look.
Here is our family general safety plan for Japan too.
Google Maps
Google Maps in Japan is NEXT level. It will tell you which platform to get on trains, the closest station exit and even which carriage is closest to where you need to go. I couldn’t do Japan without it. There is also a way to change the settings to show you the route to use when you are moving around with suitcases or a stroller in Japan and need elevator access to be a priority. Here is my article on how google maps in Japan is going to improve your whole holiday. This is also really handy if you plan on driving in Japan.
Speedometer
This is a nice to have option but is super fun to use with kids on the bullet train. You can see how fast you’re going in real time.
It is also really fun to watch the blue dot slide along in real time on Google Maps.
Here are all of my tips on taking the bullet train in Japan with kids.
Tokyo Disney Resort
This is a great tool for the day of your visit at Tokyo Disney Resort and I recommend downloading it a few days in advance. If you buy your tickets from a third party provider, I also recommend uploading your tickets on to the app ahead of time too.
See my tips for Tokyo Disneyland with kids here.
See my tips for Tokyo Disneysea with kids here.
Can’t decide between the two? See my breakdown of all the differences (as it depends what you and your family like) here.
Want to steal my one day strategy for each Tokyo Disney Park? We have it down to a fine art now – as we love rides but hate waiting.
Here is my list of things to pack for a full day out at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea with kids.
Please remember there is no free wifi inside the Japanese Disney Parks so make sure you have internet organised ahead of time in order to be able to virutally order food, get fast passes etc.
Universal Studios Japan
This app is handy before and during your day at Universal Studios Japan. Make sure you book express passes before visiting Universal Studios Japan as this is not something you can do on the day.
Here are all of my USJ tips.
Here are our favourite places to eat in the Universal Studios area.
Ecbo Cloak
This is a luggage storage options app – in real time. This includes locker availability and you can also choose the time period and exact dates.
Your favourite streaming services
Only the most modern (and often most expensive) hotels and other forms of accommodation will have Netflix and Disney+ etc. So, especially, when travelling with kids it is good to have those apps ready to go on your own devices. It will automatically switch over to the Japan version and my kids actually love to see what movies and shows are on Japanese Amazon Prime and Hulu etc.
It’s another great reason to make sure you have wifi sorted for while you’re in Japan – I love Pocket Wifi for this reason as the kids can connect to me and watch their own ipads all using the same wifi box (I have a 25% off discount code in this article if you’d like to make use of it.)
PokemonGo
This is a nice to have – but if you’re used to hunting for Pokemon in your home country – you’re going to LOVE it in the home of pokemon! Here are all of my tips for those who are big pokemon fans and are visiting Japan.
Yamap
This is useful app for hikers in Japan. This app includes more downloadable maps and hiking routes.
Ubereats
Ubereats works in many major cities in Japan and can be handy when kids have crashed out. Make sure you check with your hotel about ubereats deliveries as many of them ask you to meet the driver down at reception.
But even more useful than food delivery on ubereats? Did you know it’s an easy way to get diapers/nappies delivered to you when you’re in a bind? I explain more about that here.
Amazon
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, it can be really handy to make use of this in Japan too as the delivery is really fast and can be great for essentials or some grocery items and things like diapers/nappy delivery. If sending something to a hotel using Amazon Prime, it’s really really important that the sender name matches your reservation name – and it’s also best to let the hotel know to expect that parcel.
