Suggested Phone Apps for first timer in Tokyo
Feb 27, 2018 | 8:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Winchester VA
Programs: UA 1K; AA Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 199
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 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!
Feb 27, 2018 | 9:57 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AS Atmos Gold/OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,545
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.
Feb 27, 2018 | 10:20 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 9
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!
I speak zero Japanese besides Hello and Thank you and I had a fantastic trip.
Good luck!
Feb 27, 2018 | 12:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Smyrna, GA, USA
Programs: DL DM1MM
Posts: 1,763
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.
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.
Feb 28, 2018 | 6:13 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Winchester VA
Programs: UA 1K; AA Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 199
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!
Anyone have an opinion if in Japan the pocket wifi would be preferred?
Thanks again!
Feb 28, 2018 | 11:21 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,015
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.
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.
Feb 28, 2018 | 11:32 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Winchester VA
Programs: UA 1K; AA Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 199
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.
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.
Feb 28, 2018 | 12:07 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Smyrna, GA, USA
Programs: DL DM1MM
Posts: 1,763
The market evolves fairly frequently. Japan | Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia usually has pretty up to date advice and prices.
Feb 28, 2018 | 12:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AS Atmos Gold/OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,545
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.
Mar 2, 2018 | 9:47 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Winchester VA
Programs: UA 1K; AA Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 199
Mar 13, 2018 | 9:05 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,115
From what I can see in the app store, it's just a messaging app that probably integrates Google Translate technology into it.