Everything you need for Japan, step by step
Tap a stage of your trip — we'll show the categories that matter right then.
Sort the paperwork, lock the flights, land already connected.
Land in Japan like you already know the place
A three-step plan from your couch to your first coffee in town. Each phase shows what locals actually use.
Before you go
1–2 weeks ahead — sort the basics from home.
- Visa & immigration
Check if you need a visa and apply early.
Top pick:iVisa
- Flights & airports
Book flights and save your boarding pass offline.
Top pick:App in the Air
- Hotels & stays
Reserve your first 2 nights — pin the address.
Top pick:Jalan (じゃらんnet)
- Travel insurance
Get insurance that covers your activities.
Top pick:SafetyWing
- eSIM & internet
Install an eSIM so you have data the moment you land.
Top pick:Mobal
- Translation
Download an offline translator for the local language.
Top pick:Google Translate
When you land
First hour at the airport — get connected and moving.
- Taxi & rides
Open the ride app — skip the airport taxi queue.
Top pick:GO
- eSIM & internet
Activate your eSIM before leaving the gate.
- Money & payments
Withdraw a small amount of local cash from an ATM.
Top pick:PayPay - Maps & navigation
Save offline maps for your destination.
Top pick:Google Maps - Public transport
Buy a transit card at the airport station.
Top pick:Japan Transit Planner - Norikae Annai - Car rental
Pick up your rental at the airport counter.
Top pick:Rentalcars.com
While you're there
Once you're settled — eat, explore, enjoy.
- Food Delivery
Order from the app locals actually use.
Top pick:Demae-can (出前館)
- Restaurants & dining
Book a table — many spots are reservation-only.
Top pick:TheFork - Nightlife & bars
Find what's on tonight, not the tourist trap version.
Top pick:Resident Advisor
- Events & tickets
Grab tickets to a local event or show.
Top pick:LivePocket
- Tours & attractions
Skip the line with mobile tickets.
Top pick:Japan Travel by NAVITIME - Pharmacy & health
Locate the nearest 24/7 pharmacy.
Top pick:EPARK Kusuri no Madoguchi
Help the next traveler — earn points
Rate apps you used, write a tip, climb the Japan leaderboard.
Essentials in Japan
One tap to install — straight from the locals' shortlist.
Say it like a local — Japan
Essential phrases in the local language. Tap the speaker to hear it.
About Japan
About Japan: Japan offers a seamless blend of historic shrines and hyper-modern cities, characterized by quiet order and exceptional hospitality.
Japan offers a seamless blend of historic shrines and hyper-modern cities, characterized by quiet order and exceptional hospitality. While major retailers accept credit cards, many local shops and traditional guesthouses remain cash-only, so carrying yen is essential. Navigating is easy with a rechargeable transit card for the punctual train network.Browse by category
Every category that locals in Japan use day-to-day.
Food Delivery
Order food from local restaurants.
- Demae-can (出前館)
- Demaecan (出前館)
- Wolt
- menu
- + 1 more
Restaurants & dining
- TheFork
- Google Maps
- HappyCow
- OpenTable
- + 2 more
Messaging & social
The chat & social apps locals actually use every day.
- Line
Translation
Break the language barrier.
- Google Translate
- DeepL
- Papago
- + 4 more
Taxi & rides
Taxi and ride-hailing apps
- GO
- Uber
- DiDi
- + 4 more
Flights & airports
- App in the Air
- FlightAware
- Flighty
- + 1 more
Travel insurance
Cover for medical, trip & gear
- SafetyWing
- Heymondo
- Allianz Travel
- + 3 more
Hotels & stays
Find hotels and short stays
- Jalan (じゃらんnet)
- Booking.com
- Jalan (じゃらん)
- + 9 more
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