The Best iPhone Apps for Living in Japan

Jan 05, 2022

The Best iPhone Apps for Living in Japan

Living in Japan can be difficult, but the internet has many resources to make things a bit easier. An iPhone or other smart phone can put those resources at your fingertips wherever you find yourself in Japan through a wide variety of standard or easily downloadable applications.

Google maps, for example, can find and give you directions to everything from castles and temples to a coffee shop near your station. Once you have arrived, you can take pictures or video and upload them on the spot for your adoring fans back home to enjoy using Facebook or Twitter. I don’t carry a full electric dictionary anymore; the one I bought for my iPhone works almost as well as my full size Casio, but weighs much less!

If you already have an iPhone or are thinking about one, I collected a list of the most useful programs for people living in Japan. Free apps are labeled, but please follow the links the provided links to check the current prices of the rest. If you

Here are the most useful apps I have found. Enjoy, and feel free to offer your thoughts and suggestions below. I am always looking for more!

Garbage Apps

It may seem surprising to see an app about garbage, unless you have lived in Japan and then you already know why!

ThreeR (さんあ～る)

Throwing away garbage in Japan can create headaches for many. With ThreeR, this is a  thing of the past! This multilingual trash app will give you access to area-specific garbage information including a full calendar, search function, and reminder alarms to make sure you never forget when the next pickup for any given item is. Also includes helpful picture examples of trash bags and item categories for even easier reference.

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/gomi-fen%18-bieapuri-quan-guo/id977071564?mt=8

Transportation Apps

Tokyo Metro my! app

Tokyo Metro my! app is a complete interactive smartphone map for the Tokyo Subway system in English. This is a very popular app in Tokyo.

https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/tokyo-subway-navigation/id844802451

Japan Transit Planner

Japan Transit Planner is a very handy train finder. Everyone is probably familiar with the Jourdan Route Finder website. It is a great place to get great information on how to get anywhere in japan on the train, and this is the app version of that service. Multiple languages are now available, so this app will make your life easier!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id299490481?mt=8

Japan Taxi

The Japan Taxi App is a smart and easy way to order a taxi in Japan.  Just move the little guy to where you are on the map and hit the call button.  A taxi will come soon after.  It works a champ! (Free)
https://apps.apple.com/app/id481647073?mt=8

Tokyo Specific Transportation

Uber

This is the only option which links to private “taxi” drivers.
www.uber.com/jp/en

Finding Things and People

Google Maps

Google maps may be the most useful thing on this list.  It becomes more useful when you learn to cache a google map on your iphone for use offline by entering “OK maps” in the search bar within the app. It will save the area that you choose up to the level you want.  You will be prompted to “Save this map?”

AroundMe

AroundMe uses your location to find information about your surroundings. It can be used to find coffee shops, gas stations, and other locations around you. Very convenient! (Free)
https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/aroundme/id290051590

Glympse

Glympse is a free location-based service application allowing you to share your real-time location safely. Keep track of your friends and family easily and simply by GPS anywhere. Could be used to send a link to a friend if you are lost! (Free)
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glympse-free-location-share/id330316698

Food Apps

Beer in Japan

“The idea was that wherever I was in Tokyo, I’d always be able to look at that map and find the craft beer bars near me. I’d never have to settle for mass-produced beer again.”  And so it was…
http://beerinjapan.com/bij/app/

myStarbucks

myStarbucks is a handy app for finding the closest Starbucks location to you. If you must have a cup, right now, this is your best bet at finding a decent one! (Free)
https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id1113037275

Conversion Tools

Pocketbook Appendix

Pocketbook Appendix is English version of Techo-no-furoku(手帳の付録). This application has a lot of information on Japan. Prefecture names and zip codes, measurement and date conversions, etc…
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocketbook-appendix/id416971158?mt=8

Gengou Free

Gengou Free converts western style dates into Japanese style dates (Showa, Heisei, etc.) (Free)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gengou-free/id284830543?mt=8

MeasuresLite

MeasuresLite is a neat little app that can convert measurements to and from various systems. Great tool for, oh let’s just say someone from a country that does not use the metric system. (Free)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/measures-lite-unit-converter/id315142801?mt=8

Health

Web MD

Web MD is a free app that can help you check your symptoms, and access drug & treatment information. This might get you out of a doctors visit, or you could show it to the doctor instead of trying to explain them. Most doctors in Japan can read English, they just can’t speak it!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/webmd-mobile/id295076329?mt=8

Language

Japanese Flip and Kanji Flip

Japanese Flip and Kanji Flip are digital flashcards with an intelligent progress tracking system that helps you learn faster.
http://japaneseflip.com/
http://kanjiflip.com/

Japanese

Japanese is a full-fledged Japanese-English dictionary that fits in your pocket! I have been using this personally for about a year, and I love it. You can also add any word you look up to a flashcard set and study it later.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/japanese/id290664053?mt=8

Money

MoneyTree

MoneyTree is a Tokyo-based startup, basically Mint.com for Japan that securely connects users with over 30 different banks and credit cards in Japan from a mobile device.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moneytree-your-lifetime-financial/id586847189?mt=8

Technology

FAST Speed Test

Netflix originally produced this internet speed-test app as a simple way for its customers to know whether or not their ISP is throttling speeds to Netflix or if there is an actual issue with their connection. It offers an ad-free clean interface and really only does one thing: test your connection. Whether you want to test your home wifi connection or even your mobile 4G connection, this app helps provide the information you need quickly and easily.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fast-speed-test/id1133348139?mt=8

What other apps do you suggest? Let us know in the comments below!