Suggested Phone Apps for first timer in Tokyo
 

I am traveling to Tokyo, solo, next week for the first time. Staying at the Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku

I do not speak nor read Japanese, but have done my homework on things to do and see, along with time to just wander.

I am wondering if any other Tokyo residents/visitors have any apps they would recommend that would potentially make this a better/easier/funner trip, other than translation apps.

Thanks in advaance!

I have found Hyperdia for train schedules and recommended routes to be completely indispensable, whether travelling in Japan as a novice or as an experienced traveller of the country. However, I've never been a big fan of the app and would suggest just using their webpage instead. Also, In recent years, Google Translate's photo function has come in handy when perusing menus and coming across items that I can't make heads or tails of.

I traveled solo to Japan last May for two weeks and the only two apps I ever needed was Google maps and Google translate. Make sure you get a pocket wifi. I used JapanwifiBuddy and they were fantastic.
I speak zero Japanese besides Hello and Thank you and I had a fantastic trip. ;) Good luck!

hyperdia app is still useful, despite google maps overlapping considerably in functionality.

Line can be useful if you want to try to interact with a non english speaker. It seems like everyone in Japan uses Line, and there is a Japanese-English translation bot that you can add to chats.

not apps, but https://tabelog.com/en/ and https://ramendb.supleks.jp/ are great food resources.

These are great! Thank you all!

I used City Rail Map during my last visit. It was really helpful and easy to use. Another app for using the rail system is Tokyosubway. As another poster mentioned, get a pocket WiFi.

Verizon says my iPhone will work in Japan and has me on their International Plan where I take my plan with my when I travel. This worked well for me in Europe a few months ago.

Anyone have an opinion if in Japan the pocket wifi would be preferred?

Thanks again!

You want pocket wifi becasue 1) it's cheaper than roaming, 2) "unlimited", fast data.

But you will be lugging another piece of equipment, and possibly an external battery pack. Coverage could be terrible if you use one from a cheap provider.

I only buy local SIM cards. Have been doing so for the last 7 years.

Have you found a particular vendor that you use and trust?

The market evolves fairly frequently. Japan | Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia usually has pretty up to date advice and prices.

I've been renting pocket wifi units the past few times I've visited Japan and have always turned down the external battery pack but have also been vigilant about charging the unit when I get back to my hotel.

I have been using Wi-Fi Rental Store the past few times, opting for one of the SoftBank units when my trips have involved being the cities and the au unit when we were on rural Iriomote island. I arrange for the units to be mailed to the first hotel I'm staying at and drop them off at a mailbox at the airport while on my way out of the country.

Check out the Ramen Beast app. Really well done and essential if you are on the hunt for good ramen. Iphone only unfortunately.

Incredible recommendation! Will definitely be using this! Thank you!

Not an app but a fabulous website for anybody looking to hike anywhere in Japan -
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How is this app any different or better than Google Translate?

From what I can see in the app store, it's just a messaging app that probably integrates Google Translate technology into it.