1000k00

Hi, will be traveling for 2 weeks in Japan(APR), do not read or write Japanese, are there any Apps that you use that may be of interest to me? I will be renting from Pupuru a portable wifi for my iPhone. My lodgings will have wifi also. Will not be renting a phone as I do not speak Japanese. Any favorites or useful Apps?

gnaget

It does not target the beginner, but it is a fantastic dictionary.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imiw...288499125?mt=8

Since you are American, T Mobile provides free data globally, so you do not need portable wifi if you use this mobile phone provider.

NewbieRunner

I use Jorudan (Transit Planner) app regularly when I'm on the move. The basic version in Japanese is free but the English (and other language) version costs $2.99. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/japa...524328198?mt=8

1000k00

I do not use T-Mobile. Thanks for the info.

waggles

Ive used Hyperdia for years to navigate the subways/trains.

beep88

All in Japanese, and most require Japanese iTune ID to download.

Transit Planner: Jorudan (sometimes I purchase the 7-day add-on "ticket") , Navitime
Last minute hotel: Jalan, Rakuten
Driving: Mapfan+ (beats Google Maps or in-car GPS as everything is up to date) It's free and supports English voice prompt.
Restaurants: Tabelog Hotpepper
Eathquake: Yurekuru
Language: Imiwa (on the device but haven't used it in ages), Google Translate

English

Restaurant: Gurunavi
Discounts: HIScoupon
Transit Planner: Hyperdia by Voice

MattEvan

Hyperdia is the most vital app.

Google Translate a close second.

shinjukuflyer

+1 for imiwa? It's a fantastic app, one I use all the time. If you activate the Chinese (Traditional) - Handwriting keyboard input in your phone settings, you can even hand draw the characters to look up.

Other apps like Waygo and Google Translate have the ability where you take a picture of Japanese text and it translates it for you.

Hyperdia is incredibly useful for train schedules and such. Though instead of the app, I simply have the webpage bookmarked on my home screen.

Google Maps also works pretty well for trains. The advantage being you don't need to enter a starting station, it can figure out the closest one to your current location.

FlitBen

Between Google Maps and Hyperdia (browser version) you've got everything needed to plan your daily rides. Most Japanese on JR and Metro lines use iPhones and I usually see Google Map on their screens, the Rakuten guys I know swear by it.

You'll still need to have downloaded maps of the major stations handy, to figure out the exits when your phone can't lookup your exact location in enclosed and basement floors.

Jay71

Pretty similar to others:

• Google Maps
• Google Translate
• Hyperdia
• WikiTravel

With Google Maps, one thing we did during our last trip was pin a number of destinations on the map during pre-trip research which I thought was pretty handy instead of searching on the fly on the phone (which can be difficult if you can only find a name in Japanese).

Found Google translate fairly good even when trying to convey a full sentence to someone instead of just a word.

Not sure if there's an app in the iTunes store for WikiTravel but you can also access it via a browser. I just find it gives a pretty handy synopsis for a destination.

[I use an android phone but assuming experience will be similar on an iPhone (??).]

siaa380

Travel Japan Wi-Fi App is great - it will autoconnect you to the Wi2 wifi networks around Japan for free as well.
You can get a premium code for the Wi-Fi which allows you to connect to all networks at Bic Camera or Don Quixote Stores.
Here is a list of all the locations: http://wi2.co.jp/tjw/premiumcode.html
You can also get a code from JAL if you are flying with them on their website.

I +1 Google Maps. You can search for transit routes while connected and they will stay on your phone even when its offline

FlitBen

Those who need several wi-fi plans will be looking at prepaid LTE data SIMS
http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Japan

The Wi2 300 private wi-fi network network is the biggest but it's still limited to tourist and public spots, transit stations, and certain restaurant and convenience store chains. Their Travel Japan Wi-Fi app as is offers only partial access to the Wi2 network. Even if you hoof it to a BIC or other brand partner for a "free" premium code to unlock full access, the app was last reported with iOS9 issues (not sure about Android), so you'll have a lot of hotspot work-arounds to juggle "for free", too.
http://wi2.co.jp/tjw/modal/english/ios9_en.html

Besides it's better to sign up for one of their paid subscriptions in advance. This way, you don't have to install the finicky Travel Japan Wi-Fi app, and can access all Wi2 network hotspots using just standard login procedures. Although you do need to login twice on the various access points like Wi2, Wi2 Premium, UQ (many trains, stations, and airports), BBPoint (some fast-food chains), etc. - once with the network password for that particular type of access point, and the second time with your unique subscription username and password, all of which they'll e-mail to you. Facetime, skype, viber, etc. video calls work nicely in Tokyo with fast Wi2 or LTE connections on both ends.
http://wi2.co.jp/en/300/

You should check the Wi2 coverage map (and also that of their rival NTT Docomo) to see if the places you're visiting have nearby hotspots available. Speeds can reach 5MBps+ at major food and store chains and at train stations, but on JR and Metro railway cars service can be spotty.

Good news, There will be free w-fi service on Narita Express before April 2016
http://www.getaroundjapan.jp/taxonomy/term/99

kndy

For me, it was google maps
Second, Hyperdia
and Third, Google Translate

Gradfly

I've used the Waygo translation during my last trip. The one thing l like it over Google Translate is that it does a real-time translation via camera. One of the few drawbacks with the live translation requires a bright and glare-free background. You'll need to re-position glossy menus. The other drawback is that unlimited translation requires a fee of around $7. My Japanese friend and I did an informal test (going out to restaurants) and found that it's around 80% accurate. One interesting thing we noticed is that the app has difficulty with translating prices shown in Kanji.

freecia

Tabelog english webpage navigation
http://tabelog.com/en/

VPN is also handy if you like to watch Hulu/Netflix since hotel wifi is usually pretty decent.