what does the visit japan app look like

Inside Kyoto

A Kyoto Travel Guide

A Guide to the Visit Japan Web app and Japan Entry Procedures

While it’s recommended to use the Visit Japan web app, it’s not mandatory. In fact it may be quicker to use the standard paper immigration forms on arrival in Japan.

There are now no Covid protocols for Japan. The Japanese government still recommends that visitors to Japan use the Visit Japan Web app, which replaces the paper arrival card and customs declaration, but you DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE VISIT JAPAN WEB APP.

On our last entry to Japan in October 2023, those not using the app actually moved faster through immigration and customs. So, it’s really up to you: use the app or just go old school and fill out a paper arrival card and customs declaration (and if you don’t get them on the plane, you can pick them up at immigration and customs).

Visit Japan Web

Time required to fill out and instruction manuals

When you first download the app and look at the instruction manual, you may get the impression that it’s going to take a long time to complete Visit Japan Web. In practice, it takes about 15 minutes and is pretty intuitive. I suggest using the simplified manual and quarantine section manuals linked below.

Three parts to Visit Japan Web

Note, Visit Japan Web actually consists of three parts: 1) immigration information (ie, disembarkation card information), 2) customs information (ie, customs declaration), and 3) tax-exemption section. When you successfully complete these sections, you will receive three QR codes. The first two you will show at the airport upon arrival. The third you will show at shops that offer tax-free shopping to tourists.

Important tip

You will need a charged smartphone with internet access for Visit Japan Web to work at the airport when you arrive. Japanese airports have free wifi, so connectivity is not an issue, but be sure to charge your phone before flying. Just in case something goes wrong with your phone or you cannot get online at the airport, it’s a good idea to do two things to print out your immigration and customs QR codes to show at the airport.

Important Visit Japan Web Links

• Here’s the Visit Japan Web download site .
• Here’s a detailed manual for using Visit Japan Web.
• Here’s a simplified Visit Japan Web Manual (scroll down for instructions).

Kyoto Vacation Checklist

• For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
• Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
• You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto , Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
• Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
• See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
• Buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto) or Tokyo's Narita Airport . Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
• Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
• If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
• A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
• World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world

Kyoto District Map

• Central Kyoto
• Northwest Kyoto
• Northern Higashiyama
• Southern Higashiyama
• Downtown Kyoto
• Kyoto Station Area
• South East Kyoto

Disclosure: InsideKyoto.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

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How to use the Visit Japan Web for Entering/Returning to Japan

Easy Step-by-Step guide about Visit Japan Web

© https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/

Are you planning a trip to Japan soon? Or are you a resident of Japan who is going to travel abroad and then re-enter? Then you may be interested to read this article to the end!

After more than two years closed due to the global pandemic situation, Japan has finally opened its doors to tourism recently. This was a long awaited opening by many, as the country of the rising sun is one of the most popular travel destinations in recent years and has been one of the places that has taken the longest to reopen to tourism. Surely many people are excited about this news, buying their plane tickets and preparing their suitcases. However, be careful! There is one very important detail to keep in mind or you could be left with the door slammed in your face and be turned back upon landing in Japan.

To enter Japan it is MANDATORY to present a vaccination passport with 3 vaccines of some of those approved by the Japanese Government or a negative PCR in COVID-19 72 hours before the departure time.

And what does the My SOS app have to do with the entrance to Japan? Well, let’s see now.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

What is Visit Japan Web?

Visit Japan Web is a web portal launched by the Japanese Government to Fast Track your entry into Japan. On the Visit Japan Web website you can upload your vaccination passport or your negative PCR certificate before boarding the plane and get a QR. Technically, you can also present it on paper at the arrival airport, but some airlines may deny you boarding if you do not show them the QR code. Also, if you do the process in advance through the website and receive the approved QR, you are 100% sure that there will be no problem with your entry (it is unlikely, but it could be the case that once at the arrival airport the certificate you present is not considered valid).

In addition, with the Visit Japan web portal you can also do the questionnaire for the customs procedure in advance, receiving a separate QR.

In my own experience, I used Visit Japan Web on my recent re-entry to Japan and the process was much faster and streamlined compared to people who did not have it. There is a separation for people who carry the QR code with the 3 vaccinations/PCR tests and you get to Immigration much faster as they don’t have to check it manually (they only check that you have the QR). And once you pick up your luggage, you use the second QR code for the customs process.

In both cases, the time spent waiting in line is reduced considerably and you leave the airport much earlier. Below, I’m going to explain how to do the processes from my own first hand experience!

How to use the Visit Japan Web before entering Japan

The first thing you have to do is to go to this website and create an account. The procedure is the usual for this kind of cases: after registering an email address and accepting the terms of use, they send you a confirmation code and after entering the code you can access your page.

Once you are in your account, go to the “Your details” section and fill in the information requested (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, etc).

After registering your details, you will be able to click on the “New registration” button in the “Register Planned Entry/Return” section. Here you have to put the arrival  information (date, airline company and flight number). Then you will then arrive at a screen with two options. One for the Fast Track and the other for the customs declaration. I recommend you to start with the Fast Track.

It’s time to start with the pre-registration procedures for quarantine. According with your departure country this part may vary slightly, but as long as I know most part of the countries have the same process. The top part is in red, and if you scroll down you can see a red band that says “Not yet registered” with your passport information. Below you can see the four documents that you must complete: passport, Questionnaire WEB, Vaccination certificate and PCR result less than 72 hours before departure.

The documents are easy. The passport is just take a picture of the page with your information and updated it. Once they check and see that it’s ok and the information can be read well, you can go to the Questionnaire WEB. You just need to answer a few questions and then you are ready to go to the next step, the vaccination certificate. In my case I took a screenshot of my digital vaccine certificate and they accepted it.

As you can see, since I have the vaccination certificate I do not need the PCR test (in case you do not have a valid vaccination certificate, then you can go for the COVID-19 PCR test). All the necessary documents changed from “Not yet registered” to “Completed” and the color changed from red to blue. Once you get this, you are ready to travel knowing that all your documents have been accepted.

After finishing this part, you can go back and fill in the section of “Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles”. For those of you who are used to traveling, this is the typical small piece of paper that you are usually given during the flight to customs declaration in case you are carrying certain substances. With Visit Japan Web you can make this declaration in advance from the website and receive another QR code to pass through customs saving time.

How to use the Visit Japan Web after arriving Japan

Once in Japan it is very simple. When you get out of the plane there is a point where they separate people into those who have the QR code and those who do not. You just have to show the code to the staff and they will let you through.

After you have finished the process at Immigration and once you have your luggage, you will see that at Customs declaration there is a queue for those who have the physical paper and another queue for those who have the QR code. There are some machines where you have to swipe the QR code, and you are out, free to explore Japan!

And that is all. In case you can’t find it, here you have the official website of Visit Japan Web.

Visit Japan Web: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/

And that is all. I understand first hand that with the current situation entering/returning to Japan can be confusing or make you have many doubts/worries so I hope this article helped you.

Airport Taxi

Looking for a private shuttle from Japan’s major airports to your accommodation or vice versa? Airport Taxi is one of the best services in Japan, with large and comfortable cars and affordable prices! The customer service is available every day from 8:00 to 23:00 and the have English-speakers staff.

▶Check the official website:  https://www.airport-taxi.tokyo/en

Clinic Nearme

If you are a resident of Tokyo who is going abroad for a while, and you have been vaccinated here, our affiliated clinic Clinic Nearme can provide you with the vaccination certificate necessary for returning to Japan. For 3,000 JPY  you can have your vaccine certificate on the same day. Clinic Nearme a clinics authorized for the Japanese government and one of the few clinics in Tokyo with English support.

Planning to coming to Japan?? This articles may interest you too!

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I started to like Japan because of the anime, music and doramas, but after my first trip to the country I found what I love the most: traveling around, the culture and history. I have travelled a lot in Japan, but I still have many places to discover that I want to share with you 🙋🏼‍♀️   Let’s discover Japan together!

Also, as a foreigner living in Japan for over 6 years I understand what kind of things are difficult when you move here and I want to help other people in the same situation that I have in the past.

Visit Japan Web: The Online Registration Before Arriving in Japan

Japanese customs: mysos replaced from november, 14,  2022.

During the Covid pandemic, entry procedures in Japan have changed a lot, which created some confusion. It is still somewhat the case after the reopening to tourism since October 11, even if a focus has been placed on easing the procedures especially through digitalization , to minimize human interactions and subsequent contamination risks.

Until recently, the Japanese government asked visitors to install specific app on their smartphones:

• MySOS, for advance registration of information regarding vaccine status / PCR test, for faster airport procedures in Japan (the "fast track" system)
• COCOA, an app to track contact-cases and infected persons, but it was discontinued in September 2022.

MySOS was not mandatory but highly recommended . Travelers who could not use the app were directed upon their arrival in Japan to a specific line in order to complete the necessary steps (showing a valid vaccination certificate / PCR test, etc.) which lengthened their time at the airport.

New website available since November 1st, 2022

In mid-October 2022, a new change in the procedure has been announced for all entry in Japan from November 14 included : every traveler (tourist, foreign resident and Japanese citizen alike) can register in advance on the Visit Japan Web site.

Visit Japan Web is a free, single portal to group formalities related to:

• Covid-19   🦠 ( quarantine , vaccination certificate, PCR test); The Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures section collects the information that were previously filled in the MySOS app ("Fast Track" function);
• Immigration : the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner that was formerly handed in the plane  ✈️ just before landing (does not concern Japanese citizens and foreign permanent residents);
• Customs  🛂 , with the Declaration of Personal effects and Unaccompanied Articles , to fill upon arrival, formerly either on a paper form or on the Japanese government’s Zeikan shinkoku app (税関申告アプリ).

In the facts, registering on the website has been possible since November 1, 2022 , for any arrival in Japan from November 14 in one of its largest airports:

• Tokyo -Narita,
• Tokyo-Haneda,
• Osaka - Kansai (KIX),
• Chubu ( Nagoya ),
• Fukuoka ( Kyushu ),
• New Chitose ( Hokkaido ) and
• Naha ( Okinawa ).

Travelers arriving in Japan before November 14, 2022, can still use the MySoS app to fill their Covid related data and are not the target of the Visit Japan Web.

1 blue screen and 2 QR Codes to show on a smartphone

Like with MySOS previously, each step of the registration process is ended by a change in the page display that includes:

• A blue screen , for a successful quarantine procedure registration,
• and the creation of 2 QR Codes for customs and immigration procedures.

Once all the steps are completed, a visitor’s smartphone  📱 will display first a blue screen, then 2 QR Codes to show at each checkpoint.

Starting April 29, 2023 , according to March 10 and April 26 latest announcements of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, some of the borders restrictions will be lifted and the Covid-19 quarantine procedure (blue screen) will not be required anymore .

It is highly recommended to register before departing for Japan : at the latest 6h prior to the flight’s departure, and ideally within the 10 preceding days , in order to allow time for the review of the submitted documents. Reviews are sorted by date of arrival in Japan . Visit Japan Web is available in English.

Whether you are fully vaccinated or not, consider using Visit Japan Web to make sure to board your flight to Japan, as airlines reserve the right to refuse passengers who may potentially be banned at the Quarantine Procedures step.

The necessary documents are:

• A valid email address (will be used as a user ID to each access to Visit Japan Web);
• Until April 29, 2023 , Covid vaccination certificate or negative PCR test result taken less than 72 hours before departure and translated in English (use the Japanese-English form provided by the Japanese Ministry of Health here );
• An address in Japan (for example, of the first accommodation you will be staying at).

If traveling with underage children , it is possible to register them on the same Visit Japan Web account (up to 10 travelers). Dependent or handicapped adults who cannot go through the procedures alone can also be registered in the Family members traveling with you section. However, each of them has to have their own passport or equivalent immigration document.

Each member of the family registered on the same account will also have their blue screen and 2 QR Codes, to show at checkpoints at the arrival airport in Japan.

Like with MySOS, registering with Visit Japan Web is not mandatory , however it helps going through the entry procedures in Japan faster, and reduces the hurdles of tedious formalities after 12 hours of more spent in a plane.

On April 5, 2023, Kono Taro, the Japanese Minister of Digital Affairs, announced that travelers are no longer required to show any document at arrival airport’s quarantine in Japan . However, filling information forms for immigration and customs is still a requirement.

Additional tips and advice

An Internet  📶 connection is required to use the Visit Japan Web site, especially to create the account, fill in the user’s information, and their family’s when applicable (name, passport number, etc.), the forms regarding vaccination or PCR test and create the first QR Code. The digital Disembarkation Card for Foreigners and custom procedures can be completed offline and the QR codes created upon arrival at the airport.

Creating a Visit Japan Web account is possible on a computer (Chrome browser is recommended) or on a smartphone (Chrome browser recommended on Android). In any case, before departure, make sure to be logged in only on the device you will use to travel (a smartphone ideally), and check that all information is up-to-date.

Questions asked at immigration and customs procedures are the same than on the paper forms. In any event, official Japanese sources (the Embassy of Japan or the Border Control page of the Japanese Ministry of Health for example) are the ultimate references regarding entry procedures in Japan and should be checked frequently.

• Flights and Airports
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• Weather forecast
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• From April 29 to 5 May -- Japanese Golden Week
• May 12 -- Mother's Day in Japan
• June 6 -- Beginning of the rainy season (Tsuyu) in Japan
• June 21 -- Summer starts in Japan
• From July 1 to 31 -- Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto with float processions on July 17 and 24
• July 1 -- Season start for climbing Mount Fuji
• Tokyo : Shinjuku , Shibuya , Harajuku , Asakusa , Akihabara , Odaiba , Ikebukuro , Ueno , Roppongi , Chiyoda , Ryogoku ...
• Around Tokyo: Kamakura , Nikko , Hakone , Mount Fuji , Mount Takao , Yokohama ...
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• North: Hokkaido , Tohoku ...

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Keikaku is a travel agency specialist of Japan and providing different kind of services:

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• English speaking Guides
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• Introducing yourself
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• Count / Say Your Age
• Say the Date / Tell the Time
• Happy birthday
• Enjoy Your Meal
• Writing your name

Kanas are the much-needed basic characters of written Japanese language. Memorize them at a fast pace with our method.

Ask any kind of question and share your knowledge about Japan in Kanpai’s community space, our Q&A section Kotaete.

Isshoni means "together" in Japanese: share your trip details (dates, places you would like to visit) and find companions to travel in Japan.

Create your Kanpai account to manage your profile and view your participation history (questions, answers).

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Visit Japan Web: How to register

Travelling to Japan? Visit Japan Web registration will save you precious time on arrival. Here's a step-by-step guide of what to do.

If you’re planning to visit Japan, it’s highly recommended that you take time to complete the so-called “Fast-track registration” before travel. This expedites the arrivals process after you land, granting access to a special lane at the airport. 

Fast-track registration was previously done through the MySOS app, but from 1 November 2022, Japan has switched over to Visit Japan Web (VJW) instead. Here’s how the transition process works:

• If you have not registered yet, you should do so via VJW
• If you have already completed MySOS registration, you can use the MySOS blue screen for entry into Japan up till 13 January 2023

Those who have previously registered via MySOS are welcome to register again via VJW if they so wish. 

In this post, I’ll walk you through the VJW registration process. It’s not significantly different from MySOS, although it has the added convenience of bringing immigration and customs clearance under the same portal. 

Visit Japan Web

Visit Japan Web registration should be done at least six hours prior to your scheduled arrival time. There are three sections to complete:

• Quarantine (Fast-track)
• Immigration

Completion of each section will generate a QR code, which travellers will show at the arrival airport to expedite procedures. 

Step 1: User registration

After creating your VJW account, the first step is to register your personal details. 

You’ll first be asked two questions:

• Do you have a passport issued by the Japanese government?
• Will you enter Japan with a (special) re-entry permission?

For the vast majority of Singaporeans, the answer to both will be “no”.

You’ll then need to provide your passport details. 

If you’re travelling with children, you may register them under your VJW account. The portal is vague about what the cut-off age is for an individual to require their own VJW account; with MySOS it was 13 years and above. 

If you cannot complete the procedures of the airport by yourself, such as infants, you can register as a family members traveling with you without creating an account, and the representative can also enter the family members traveling with you portion to create a QR code. For those who can do the procedure by themselves, we ask that you prepare to be able to display it on your own smartphone, etc. as much as possible. -Visit Japan Web

I believe the idea is that as far as possible, each traveller should have their own device to display their own QR code, for efficiency reasons. If that’s not realistically possible, then they can be registered on someone else’s VJW account. 

Step 2: Trip registration

The next step is to register your trip details. 

• Optional field, for your own reference
• Planned arrival date in Japan
• If you’re flying a codeshare, enter the name of the operating airline
• If you’re flying a codeshare, enter the main flight number (i.e. not the 4-digit one)

You’ll also be asked for your intended address in Japan. You can enter the postal code (without hyphens) of your hotel here and see if the fields auto-populate. If they don’t (as was the case for the Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, postal code 1028585), then you’ll need to enter the information manually. 

Step 3: Quarantine procedures (fast-track)

When you first click on the quarantine procedures (fast-track) tab, you’ll see a red screen and a “not yet registered” status. This should look familiar to anyone who’s completed MySOS registration previously.

Our goal is to turn this screen to blue. This involves completing three sections (not four; you’ll either submit a vaccination certificate or a pre-departure test). 

Unless you have all your documents already scanned on your computer, I’d recommend doing this section from your phone so you can snap photos and upload them immediately. 

The first step is to upload a copy of your passport’s information page.

Once that’s done, the tag next to Passport will change to “Scanning”. Sit tight. You won’t be able to continue with fast-track registration until the system has scanned your passport.

This should take 10 minutes at most, and you’ll receive an email confirmation once it’s done (add [email protected] to your safe list).

Refresh the page and the tag next to Passport should have changed to “Please verify”. Click on it and confirm your scanned details.

Now return to the “Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures” screen and scroll down. You’ll see the tag next to Questionnaire WEB has changed to “Please register”. Tap on it, and you’ll be sent to another webpage. Toggle the language on top as necessary. 

To complete this section, you’ll need to provide:

• Date of arrival in Japan
• Arrival flight details
• This section can be left blank if you don’t know
• Whether or not you’re a crew member
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Address of accommodation
• The calendar is not translated into English. All you need to know is 月 is month, and 日 is day. The rest should be intuitive enough
• Departure flight detail
• Remember to include your usual country of residence in your travel history
• Health declaration
• Email address
• Contact number
• Alternative contact number

Most of the information here should already be pre-populated, though for whatever reason, the accommodation information isn’t ported over. You’ll need to complete this again, keeping in mind the following:

• Don’t include hyphens for postal codes. Once the postal code is entered, the rest of the field should auto-populate
• If the system refuses to recognise your postal code, leave the postal code field blank and enter the values manually
• Remember to select the last option “lodging or destination facility”

Double check your responses, and click “complete response” when done. 

Return to the “Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures” screen and scroll down. You’ll see the tag next to Vaccination certificate has changed to “Please register”.

Tap on it and select “Will submit”. If your vaccination certificate details are in Japanese or English, tap “yes” for the first prompt, provide the details of your three doses and upload a copy of your vaccination certificate. 

As a reminder, three doses of any of the following vaccinations, in any combination, will satisfy the fully vaccinated criteria (Janssen and CanSino only requires two doses).

Unvaccinated children  under the age of 18 who travel with fully vaccinated parents/guardians will be treated as fully vaccinated. Children aged below six will be treated as fully vaccinated, regardless of their parents’/guardians’ vaccination status. 

That’s it! You’ll be brought back to the “Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures” screen, which will now show your vaccination certificate as “being reviewed”. There’s nothing more to do at this point; you can ignore the last section on pre-departure testing since you’re fully vaccinated.

Your information will be reviewed, and you’ll receive an email once your status changes. In my case it took about 1 hour.

Return to the VJW portal, and you’ll see the status screen has turned to blue. You’re all set!

Step 4: Immigration

The disembarkation card requires some additional details, namely:

• Your country and city of residence
• Purpose of visit
• Intended length of stay in Japan
• Declaration 

The rest of the information should already be pre-populated from Step 3. 

Step 5: Customs

The customs declaration requires some additional details, namely:

• City of departure to Japan
• Number of family members travelling with you
• Declaration

Other sections

There are two additional sections in the VJW advising on travel insurance and emergency contact information. These are just FYI; no action is required from you. 

Visit Japan Web registration has now gone live, which brings the fast-track, immigration and customs forms under one portal. 

Registration should be relatively quick, and my approval was received in one hour, but the key thing is to do it early. There’s bound to be a deluge of applications over the next few days, so if you’re travelling soon you’ll want to give yourself plenty of buffer time. 

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do you know what happen if you need to change your date of entry into Japan after receiving the confirmation?

I noticed there is a change of plan/date function but not sure if the entire application needs to be re-submitted too. Thx!

When are you going to JP? Keep us updated whether we should use the ABCT queue! Thanks.

i was planning to go in late october but had a bout of illness. i’ll be heading in the next couple of weeks

Personally I think filling in the embarkation card and custom declaration card offline or online is a matter of self preference. I went through the process with paper fill out, the clearance actually is also brazing fast (less than 5 minutes for each of the immigration counter and custom counter)

i suppose it also depends on what time you land. maybe you got lucky during a lull period.

Maybe I am lucky. During my arrival yesterday, I think only my flight was going through clearance.

I also did a rough count, from morning until around 2pm, at most there are 4 flights arrived per hour. Some hours only got 1 flight arriving.

I felt that the tourusts arrival still not a lot yet, maybe because school holidays have not started. My flight mainly filled with Indonesian who transit.

I have been trying to get into Step 3: Quarantine procedures (fast-track) since yesterday but the page keep “loading” and nothing shows up. Is anyone else facing the same problem or did I miss something (I have no problem going through the other steps). Thanks

In case anyone face the same problem, I changed my browser from Chrome to Edge and it works.

thanks for providing the solution!

You’re a GENIUS! I was trying for the last 3 days. Arigato gozaimasu

If I am travelling via 2 airlines with a layover in Japan, do I input the flight info of the international flight or the latter domestic flight to my destination city?

From the FAQ:

Q. If I am entering the country as a family, do I have to create an account with a different email address for each family member?

A. In order to use the Service, one account is required for each person, so in principle, please create an account with a different email address for each person. However, infants and other children who cannot complete the procedures by themselves can use the Service without creating an account by registering as an “family member traveling with you”.

We keep scanning the passport information page to register but it keeps coming back failed to verify. We have tried from the phone and the computer. I have a brand new Australian passport. Do you know what could be the problem

passport image submissions must be jpg, png or pdf, and show the entire passport face page including the symbols at the bottom.

Yes the picture is immaculate. We have tried many different methods , from taking pictures with the phone and using a scanner . All our pictures in jpeg. Can’t understand why? Wondering if changing format (PDF) will help??

Hi Sue. Definitely worth trying PDF. I scanned and saved it as PDF, and did not have an issue uploading (using laptop, not phone). Image was accepted (confirmation within a couple minutes) and reviewed/registered no problem.

When using the mySOS app previously, my wife had to upload her passport scan/photo over 30 times before the system will scan it correctly. I was lucky and only needed to upload 5-6 times. With the new visit japan web, my passport upload was recognized the first time round, not sure if it’s luck or the system had improved.

I have the same issue too, Sue, with a new Australian passport.

I have the same issue too, with a new Singapore passport. Anyone found a solution?

I am facing exactly the same issue

Hi, any solution to this? or just keep trying?

Hi, thanks for your detailed instructions on the Visit Japan App. I am traveling to Japan tomorrow and have completed all the registrations using the VJA. Do I still need the MySOS app? Pls advise. Thanks!

My apologies for the typo – I meant I have completed the registration using the Visit Japan Web (VJW) and my question is whether do I still need to register using the MySOS app? I am traveling to Japan tomorrow. Pls advise. Thanks!

thanks for this. Have a Skip notification next to Passport. It is in blue and my current status says Review Completed. So it hasn’t asked to verify the passport.

Should I just start over again?

Thankyou Aaron for such a concise and informative article! Much easier to navigate than the official VJW guide!!

How do you enter on the form if u have an English name and chinese name together on pasport nd your surname is in the middle?

For example, Ray Kris Lee Née Soon, where the surname here is Lee

If in the form, I entered Lee as the surname, the name will come out as Ray Kris Née Soon Lee, but pasport name is Ray Kris Lee Née Soon

thats fine i think

look at the machine readable part of your passport bio page. the top row begins with your last name until the >>, then it is your first name. enter it as it appears here, replacing the single >s with spaces. this will align with how most systems would read your passport.

unless you’re malaysian. then just put what you think it should be i guess…

My child is <6 and I assume considered vaccinated. I selected “will not submit” under her application “Vaccination Certificate” (cos she doesn’t have one). Her application turned yellow with a large ‘B’…

Any idea what that is?

no big deal. she will just accompany you through the blue line.

Thanks Aaron for the amazing guide. I have the same issue, status is yellow with a ‘B’. Travis, was it all smooth during immigration?

Seems like all good, just saw the below FAQ… If you completed the registration with “Will not submit” for the child’s vaccination certificate and “No” for COVID test certificate, the bar will be yellow. If the child is eligible for an exemption, the bar will stay yellow, but there is no problem entering Japan. If a child under the age of 18 does not have a valid vaccination certificate but is accompanied by a parent/custodian with whom the child lives and who does have a valid vaccination certificate and is responsible for the child’s actions, the child will be given …  Read more »

This is great. For my 13 year old travelling with me (I’m fully vaxed) what do I say about her vax certificate? She has had two doses – so when I register her do I say she’s vaxed or not? I note the form asks for details on the 3 doses

I have the same issue. I tried to register my kid as fully vaccinated but registration couldn’t be completed as must enter the 3rd dose and date. Then I went to register “will not submit” vax cert and the status now is Yellow and need to submit test result cert before 72 hours. Once submit “will not submit”, you cannot revert and change “will submit” vax cert. Not sure what is the next step… or should just leave it.

Oh dear, I added my husband as the accompanying family member before realizing it’s really actually meant for children… is there a way to remove him (have not registered his docs etc)? Or if he does a registration using a new email himself, it is okay to have his name still listed as my accompanion? Thanks in advance!

I have a question, will it be too early for me to fill out this visit japan web form one and a half months before I am going to Japan, will it has a expire date?

Hi, I try to register on 7 Dec 2022 morning, I was directed to a page to key in my credit card details. I key in my 1st card n was declined. I try to key in 2nd card n was approved. Both cards were being billed a amount of USD 39.99. please help. What can I do to cancel ?

Was wondering for the passport section, do i upload for myself or will need to upload for family members traveling with me (children) too? Where do i upload for the children as i dont see that option?

I was just processing the registration but it doesn’t have a section for uploading a scanned copy of the passport…

Aaron – is this Visit Japan website still required ? I went in to register for my upcoming trip on 24th March however the website just stop at Registration and entry of details. Fullstop ,,,,there is no further steps to click to proceed on as per your narration. There is a notice that qr codes no longer needed – sorry, ignore. I managed to fill in all required details.

Do we need to do the same for domestic flights? Example from Osaka to Sapporo, do I need to create a new entry for this route?

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New app allows travelers to make paperless entry into Japan

Visitors and returnees to Japan will be able to go through simpler customs, immigration and quarantine procedures by using a new phone app starting next week, the country's Digital Agency said Tuesday.

Digitalization of entry procedures is expected to help reduce the risk of infection and burden on officials at airport CIQ facilities, which have been facing a shortage of staff.

Travelers who registered quarantine questionnaires and customs declarations, among others, containing their names, addresses, health conditions and other information via the app will only need to show their smartphones or other devices to officials upon their arrival.

The new service is expected to shorten the time of entry procedures, as officials will be able to see the traveler's relevant information simply by scanning a QR code on their device.

The app will initially be available in English and Japanese, and the government will consider adding other languages later.

Japan, like other countries, has tightened its border controls amid the spread of the omicron variant of coronavirus, believed to be more transmissible than previous strains and able to evade immunity provided by vaccines.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

How to Plan a Trip to Japan: Ultimate Guide for First-Time Visitors

From culturally rich history, to cutting-edge technology, to foodie-worthy cuisine; Japan truly has something for everyone. It should come as no surprise then that it is currently rated as one of the most visited countries in the world. Until the pandemic, the number of tourists coming to Japan has grown steadily year after year, with 29 million visitors in 2017. With tourism at an all-time high, how can you prepare in advance to make the most out of your vacation to Japan?

Why You Should Plan Your Itinerary Ahead of Time

How to make an itinerary, finding the best time of year to visit, how to handle finances in japan, what to pack for your trip, eat like a local, useful words and phrases, what apps should i download before traveling to japan check out these 8 free useful apps.

There are many places in the world that you can visit for one to two weeks and feel as though you have a good sense of the culture and way of life by the time you return home. Japan is not one of those places. It’s impossible to “do” Japan in a lifetime; let alone a two-week vacation. With so much to see, it’s easy to become overwhelmed once you find yourself in the middle of it all. Having a well laid-out itinerary - or at least a fairly solid idea of spots you'd like to go and when - will help to ensure that you are able to do what matters most to you during your time here. One of the worst experiences when visiting somewhere while on a limited amount of time is to travel out of your way for something specific; be it a famous tourist attraction or a particular restaurant, only to discover that it is not open. Many attractions in Japan operate on a seasonal basis, and it is not uncommon for restaurants to be closed on certain days of the week. In order to avoid disappointment, research schedules beforehand and make reservations in advance whenever possible. As an added benefit of researching and planning early, you can often find discounts or free admission days for many popular attractions. The money saved on tickets can then be used for other parts of your vacation. After all, who wouldn’t love a little extra money in the sushi budget?

The first step to creating an itinerary begins with one question; “Why did I want to visit Japan in the first place? Maybe you’re a history buff that wants to walk in the footsteps of famous figures like Oda Nobunaga. Perhaps you have a fascination with Japanese architecture and dream of visiting temples dating back over 1,300 years. Or maybe you’re in love with modern Japanese media and culture and want to see where it all began. Whatever the reason, knowing what initially drew you to Japan can make planning your perfect trip much easier. Of course it’s possible to plan a vacation as widely varied as your interests, but having a focus is helpful. ・ Enjoy eating? If you love gourmet, you’ve chosen the perfect destination. Japan is a foodie’s paradise and is home to some of the top chefs in the world - plus its food culture goes back over 400 years. While many tourists tend to immediately think of sushi , Japanese cuisine is so much more diverse. Experience all of the tastes that Japan has to offer; from hole-in-the-wall ramen shops to gourmet fine dining restaurants.

・ Enjoy sightseeing? From gorgeous landscapes , to ancient temples , to futuristic city streets; Japan has it all. Within Japan’s most popular tourist region, Kanto, there is no shortage of incredible places to visit. Below are some of the more popular destinations to help you start planning your sightseeing trip, all within easy reach of Tokyo: -Sensoji Temple As Tokyo’s oldest temple , Sensoji is a must-see for any visitor to Japan. Its towering pagoda and famous red lantern are iconic Tokyo sights that should not be missed. - Tokyo Skytree At 634 meters tall, the Tokyo Skytree provides the best panoramic views of the city. A visit to the top observation deck is the perfect way to take in the truly impressive scale of Tokyo. -Tosho-gu Shrine In Kanto’s northern prefecture of Tochigi, the town of Nikko looks like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. Nestled amongst the lush green mountains is a shrine by the name of Toshogu. Adorned with countless wooden carvings, its stunning decoration and serene surroundings make it one of the most beautiful temples to visit in Japan. - Hakone Nature lovers will find solace in Hakone with its abundance of rolling hills, lakes , and scenic Mount Fuji views. The town is also famous for its high quality onsens, making it the perfect spot to relax. -Sankeien Garden Just slightly south of Tokyo, the city of Yokohama is home to many sights that are worth visiting during your time in Japan. One such destination is Sankeien Garden . In addition to the picturesque flowers and bamboo groves, Sankeien is perhaps most famous for its architecture . Historical buildings from around Japan, including a massive three-story pagoda from Kyoto, have been painstakingly relocated from their original location to their new home in the garden . It’s an amazing opportunity to explore classical architecture of many of Japan’s regions all in one area. ・ Enjoy historical places ? Japan is a country filled with rich, historical experiences. In Tokyo, the Imperial Palace is a popular destination among tourists, as is the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku , in the eastern part of the city. For travelers who cannot make it to Kyoto, the historical area of Kamakura (and especially the Daibutsu, its Great Buddha) makes for the perfect day trip away from Tokyo. Other historical areas in the nation include the cultural capital of Kyoto, and ancient area of Nara . ・ Love shopping? Shopaholics will find everything they can dream of and more in Japan. Visit the Ginza area in Tokyo to browse some of the best high-end clothing and accessory retailers in the world. In nearby Yokohama , Akarenga is a trendy shopping center right on the water, located in a renovated red brick warehouse. Those looking for a more traditional Japanese market experience in Japan's western region will find it in Kyoto’s Nishiki Market, where you can find everything from fresh fish, to handmade lanterns, and so much more.

How Long Should You Stay Once you have an idea of what you would like to see, you should next determine how much time to spend in each area. It’s a terrible feeling to leave somewhere feeling as though you missed out on essential experiences. Likewise, staying in one location for too long to the point where you become bored with your surroundings is a waste of time which could have been better spent exploring new areas. Thankfully, the internet is filled with reviews for any place that you are likely to visit; from quiet countryside villages to bustling Tokyo neighborhoods. Make a list of “must-do” activities for each area of Japan to which you intend to travel, and research what fellow travelers have to say about their experiences there. Knowing how long it takes to visit or travel between certain attractions can help you to make the most efficient use of your time. Based on data from the Japan National Tourism Organization, most American tourists spend between 7 to 13 days traveling throughout Japan. During that time, the most visited locations tend to be Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Of course there is no one-size-fits-all approach to travel, especially in a country as diverse as Japan, so consider this data more of a suggestion rather than a firm guideline.

Planning Your Route The next step in putting together a successful itinerary is figuring out how you will get from place to place. When it comes to Japan; a country famed for its incredibly well-connected railway system, the train will be your most likely means of day to day transportation. However, it’s important to plot a carefully thought-out route. While it’s possible to travel across the country by train, this will often require switching to different railway lines along the way. As you will come to find, these changes can only be done at certain train stations that act as hubs. When deciding in which order you will visit each destination, first consult a railway map to ensure your route doesn’t require you to needlessly double back. When planning a route, you should also take ticket prices into consideration. In Japan, train fare is based on the distance you are travelling. If you intend to spend most of your time in one area, this most likely won’t be an issue for you, but if you are planning to take the train often or travel across the country, purchasing a rail pass may be in your best interest. Within Tokyo, day passes may be purchased which will give you unlimited access to JR Line or Tokyo Metro trains for a 24 hour period at one fixed price. If you intend to do a great deal of sightseeing around the city, purchasing one of these passes might be in your best interest. While these passes cover only the Tokyo area, an additional option for travelers is the Japan Rail Pass, which allows for unlimited travel throughout the country on the Japan Railway network in blocks of 7, 14, or 21 days. These passes are not cheap; starting at around ¥29,110 (about $260 USD), but they do grant you access to shinkansen lines as well; Japan’s ultra-fast bullet trains. If you are planning to travel long distances; from Tokyo, to Kyoto, and beyond for instance, this pass could be well-worth the investment. Be aware however, that these passes can only be purchased from outside of Japan, so be sure to purchase it well in advance of your trip to ensure you receive it in time.

When it comes to choosing what time of year you should visit Japan, there is no one correct answer. Sure, there are more popular seasons when tourism tends to be at its highest, but each season comes with its own positive and negative aspects. Decide what factors are most important when it comes to your vacation before booking your trip. Summer ■ Pros ・Excellent beach weather. Summer in Japan often means sunny days and high heat; the perfect conditions for a day out by the water in locations like Okinawa . ・It is the most active time of year for events and art exhibits. ・ Summer is matsuri (festival) time. There is perhaps no better way to experience Japanese culture than at a traditional matsuri . Enjoy games and delicious street food and watch as the locals carry mikoshi; portable shrines carried like a parade float, through the streets. ・Cities are slightly less crowded this time of year as locals tend to go on vacation to other countries or more remote parts of Japan. ・Many popular attractions will offer summer discounts, helping you to stretch your vacation budget a little further. ■ Cons ・ Summer in Japan is infamous for its heat and oppressive humidity. As it stands, 2018 has seen some of the highest temperatures in Tokyo in recorded history. When the heat is at its peak, outdoor activities can be become unenjoyable to downright impossible. ・Though cities in general tend to be less crowded with locals gone on vacation, tourism is still high this time of year, meaning you can expect larger than average crowd sizes at the most popular tourist attractions. ⇒ Browse seasonal articles on Summer in Japan Fall ■ Pros ・Once the summer heat breaks, the temperatures in fall are very comfortable. ・Areas such as Hokkaido and Tochigi are renowned for their beautiful fall foliage. ・As the seasons change, so does the cuisine, with seasonal favorites like sweet potato and kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) taking center stage. It’s a great time of year to sample dishes that are less widely known outside of Japan. ■ Cons ・The changing temperatures from summer to autumn is the catalyst for typhoon season in Japan. High winds and torrential rain are not uncommon at the start of fall. ・The unpredictable weather can make it difficult to pack for your trip. ⇒ Browse seasonal articles on Autumn in Japan Winter ■ Pros ・Japan is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding terrain in the world due to its amazing powdery snow quality. ・Japan’s outdoor hot springs , known as onsen , are much more enjoyable in cold weather with the added aesthetic of falling snow. ・As the holiday season approaches, many cities across Japan decorate with spectacular LED light displays known simply as illuminations. No two displays are alike and many decorate with a specific theme each year. ■ Cons ・Though the Kanto region and all areas south rarely see snow, winters in Japan tend to be incredibly dry, which comes with its own series of discomforts like dry skin and chapped lips. ・Daylight hours are much shorter in winter , with the sun typically setting by 4:30 PM. ・Travel tends to get quite congested at the end of the year with many people heading home for the New Year’s holiday. ⇒ Browse seasonal articles on Winter in Japan Spring ■ Pros ・ Spring is the time for cherry and plum blossom viewing; one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Japan. ・Japan’s gorgeous countryside is at its most lush and full this time of year. ・Much like fall, temperatures tend to be on the comfortably warm side throughout the season . ・Late spring , after cherry blossom season has passed, often sees less tourism, so crowds at shrines and other popular attractions are much smaller on average. ■ Cons ・Due to the high number of visitors who want to see the cherry and plum blossoms, early spring is by far the busiest and therefore most expensive time of year to travel to Japan. Expect the price of flights and accommodations to be much higher than normal. ・With the blossoming flowers comes an overwhelming wave of pollen. If you are an allergy sufferer, prepare to be congested. ・Japan’s rainy season takes place in late spring . During this time, high humidity and unexpected downpours are the norm. ⇒ Browse seasonal articles on Spring in Japan It’s hard to go wrong visiting Japan at any time of year, but by selecting the season that most closely aligns with your interests, it can help to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.

As technologically advanced as Japan is, it has a tendency to cling to certain old-world methodologies, as is evident in their inexplicable love of the fax machine. In the same regard, cash is still king in the Japanese economy. While many restaurants in bigger cities will accept credit cards, it is not uncommon to come across businesses, especially those in more remote areas of the country, which deal only in cash. That being the case, you should never go out without some paper money at the ready. The Best Ways to Handle Your Money When it comes to having access to physical yen, you have a few options at your disposal. You can exchange a certain amount of money with your bank back home before traveling to Japan, use local ATMs to withdraw yen, or use one of the many currency exchange offices located throughout Japan. The latter is by far the least cost effective option of the three, so I recommend not using this method unless absolutely necessary. Instead, let’s examine the first two. Exchange Your Money Before Leaving Many banks offer very competitive currency exchange rates if you are an account holder. This is not a bad route to take, as you will have cash at your disposal from the moment your plane touches down in Japan. The only drawback to this solution however is that you will be travelling with a large amount of physical money. Despite the fact that Japan has been rated as one of the 10 safest countries in the world, it’s never a good idea to carry excessive cash with you while traveling. Unlike debit or credit cards, once it’s lost, it’s lost for good. Withdraw Cash in Japan Rather than bringing your entire vacation budget with you in cash, you could instead opt to withdraw cash while in Japan. Many ATMs in convenience stores and post offices throughout the country accept foreign debit and credit cards for a small fee. Be aware though that your bank will typically charge a global transaction fee (usually 3-5% of the amount withdrawn) on top of this. The fees tend to add up over time, but the added security may be worth the cost. If you decide to use this option, be sure to contact your bank before you leave to inquire about their rates as well as to notify them that you will be using your card overseas. Otherwise, your bank will most likely flag the transaction as fraud and will lock your account, leaving you without access to money.

With any vacation, people often struggle with what to pack. With such varied weather and activities, putting together a packing list for Japan can be a daunting task. Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be as complicated as it seems. Clothes After reviewing the pros and cons of each season above, you should have a better idea of what time of year you will be visiting Japan. Other than the extreme heat of summer , temperatures in Japan are mild overall, so you can plan to leave the extreme weather gear behind unless your planned activities call for it. A lightweight jacket or sweatshirt will typically suffice in spring and fall, and a slightly warmer jacket or layers should be fine for winter . As far as style, typical Japanese fashion could be described as casual chic , so don’t feel pressured to dress to impress. Electronics If you are reading this from the United States, you are in luck; outlets in Japan are the same as in the US. Three-pronged outlets are not common however, so you may want to pack a three prong to two prong adapter. While the outlets are the same, the voltage they supply is different, with 100 volts in Japan compared to 120 volts in the United States. However, most modern chargers for cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices will have a built-in convertor to automatically adjust the power as needed. To be safe, always make sure to check the label on the charger to determine the voltage range it can handle. If the device is not rated for 100 volts, a voltage adapter will be needed. For those travelling from countries with different outlets, inexpensive universal plug adapters can be purchased online or from most electronic stores. Toiletries When it comes to toiletries, there is no need to panic and overpack no matter how long you intend to stay. Japan is home to some of the top beauty and personal care brands in the world, so you are almost certain to find the same brands or suitable alternatives to the ones you use at home. For the sake of convenient packing, always opt for travel-sized versions of your favorite toiletries and replace them as needed while on the go.

When asked to picture Japanese food , most people will instinctively picture sushi , and understandably so. This iconic and colorful staple of Japanese cuisine is a globally recognizable (albeit often locally modified) dish. Upon visiting Japan however, you will come to find that Japanese cuisine is much more widely varied than is often represented abroad. Signature Dishes In order to get a true taste of the local flavor, the following foods are a great representation of traditional Japanese foods that are still easy on more westernized palettes. Soba / Udon Udon and soba noodles are very common in the Japanese diet and can be found in most restaurants. Udon is the thicker of the two and tends to have a nice chewy texture with a very mild taste. Soba is thinner; similar to a flat spaghetti noodle, and usually has a richer, nutty taste. Both can be served hot in soups, but are more commonly served chilled with a broth for dipping on the side. This is a great summer option to help beat the heat. Okonomiyaki Equally at home at both street festivals and fancy restaurants, okonomiyaki is a traditional Japanese dish that is great for sharing with friends. At its most basic level, okonomiyaki is essentially a large, savory pancake filled with your choice of an assortment of ingredients and topped with a sweet and salty sauce. For the full experience, visit a dedicated okonomiyaki restaurant where you can cook your own on a hibachi grill built into your table. Yakiniku Literally translated as “grilled meat”, the premise of yakiniku is a simple one, but the delivery and atmosphere are what make the experience special. Rather than ordering a meal which is then cooked by the kitchen, in yakiniku restaurants, you order cuts of meat which you then cook for yourself at your table. This may seem like a lot of extra work to many visiting foreigners not familiar with the concept, but the cookout atmosphere it creates makes for a great experience to be shared with friends. In most yakiniku restaurants, items can be ordered à la carte, or tabehoudai style, which is all you can eat for a fixed amount of time. Nabe A favorite amongst sumo wrestlers, nabe is a hearty soup often eaten in the colder winter months. Nabe is a great dish to experiment with, as there is no strictly defined recipe and many restaurants will serve their own signature style. Typically, a variety of meats, fish and vegetables are placed in a broth and cooked in a large clay or porcelain pot. Once heated, the cooked ingredients are picked out and eaten. The remaining broth is then finished with udon noodles or poured over rice to make a rich, flavorful porridge. Food allergies in Japan can be slightly difficult to navigate in a foreign language, so if there are any foods you absolutely must avoid, it’s recommended that you find the Japanese name and have it printed on a card that you can present to your server.

Outside of major cities, finding people who can speak English becomes a major challenge for many visitors. Even in major metropolises like Tokyo, many locals won’t be able to communicate in English beyond a handful of basic phrases. While no one would expect visiting tourists to be fluent in Japanese, having a few commonly used Japanese phrases at the ready will go a long way in helping you to communicate while here. Sumimasen Pronounced sue-me-mah-sen. This is a very common phrase in Japanese vocabulary and translates to “excuse me” or “pardon me”. This is helpful to use when you are trying to get someone’s attention or if you bump into a stranger on the train. Gomen Nasai Pronounced go-men-nuh-sigh. Sometimes used interchangeably with sumimasen, gomen nasai means “I’m sorry”, and should be used for situations where you have accidentally done something rude such as spilling a drink or blocking someone on the sidewalk. Arigatou Gozaimasu Pronounced ah-ree-gah-toe-go-zigh-ee-moss. This is a phrase you will hear often when in shops in restaurants, meaning “thank you very much”. If memorizing the full phrase is proving to be a bit difficult, a simple “arigatou” will suffice, though it is considered much more polite to use the whole phrase. Konnichiwa Pronounced co-knee-chi-wah. This is the most basic greeting used in Japanese. While technically intended to be used during the afternoon hours, it can be said as a basic polite greeting at any time of day. While this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to useful words and phrases in Japanese, they will serve as a great starting point for your daily interactions with locals. When in doubt, speak slowly and use a lot of gestures. Charades is a great way to communicate with people from all over the world.

Modern technology has made it easier than ever before to visit locations where you don’t speak the language. By using a local sim card or a data plan that allows for international roaming, the following apps will help to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible. 1. Google Translate By far one of the most helpful apps when it comes to international travel, Google Translate makes reading menus or railway maps a breeze. It’s most useful feature is undoubtedly its ability to translate from a photo or live feed from your smartphone’s camera. With this, making sense of Japanese characters needs not be an overwhelming task. Be sure to download the Japanese language pack before you leave to avoid any sort of service interruption. 2. Google Maps When used in tandem with Google Translate, Google Maps is guaranteed to get you where you need to go. This app works particularly well with trains as well, listing departure and arrival times, as well as platform numbers when available. 3. Currency Converter As the Japanese yen typically deals in much bigger numbers than those who use US dollars or euros are accustomed to seeing, it’s a good idea to download a currency convertor. This way, you can be confident in the amount of money you are spending and can avoid paying too much in certain situations. 4. Line When it comes to digital communication in Japan, Line is the undisputed champion. As the most commonly used VoIP service in the country, Line gives you the ability to message and call other Line users for free. This is immensely helpful in the event that you need to contact a local person (Airbnb host, etc.) or just keep in touch with family and friends back home without paying expensive international roaming fees. 5. Gurunavi It’s almost impossible to be bored in Japan. With so much to see and do, it can often be difficult to sort through it all and find something that appeals directly to your interests. Gurunavi helps to alleviate that stress by finding events, restaurants, attractions and more throughout Japan, and filtering the results to present you the ones you are most likely to enjoy. 6. Japan Official Travel App As the official app of the Japan National Tourism Organization, this app is packed with helpful information from travel articles, to train schedules, to general rules regarding manners and much more. The app is available in English, Chinese, and Korean, and offers assistance both on and off-line. 7. Smart EX With the Smart EX app by JR, you can reserve Shinkansen tickets while you're on the go. And when reserving at least 3 days in advance, you will even receive a discount on certain lines! Check the website below for details. https://smart-ex.jp/en/ 8. Yurekuru Earthquakes are a common part of Japanese life, but for visitors, they are often a jarring experience. Yurekuru is a helpful app that can better prepare you by issuing a warning when an earthquake has been detected. Though the window of time between detection and feeling the effects of the earthquake is relatively small, having any amount of forewarning can make the experience a bit less scary.

With a bit of preparation and planning, you will be well on your way to a fantastic vacation in Japan. Have a schedule you can follow, but be sure to leave yourself open to all the wonderful and unexpected experiences Japan has to offer as well.

Written by:

Matt Vachon

Matt Vachon is a content creator in Tokyo who enjoys exploring off the beaten path locations around Japan. Graduated from the University of Massachusetts before moving to Japan. Since that time, he has created content for numerous tourism focused publications including The Japan National Tourism Organization, Tsunagu Japan, and Tokyo Localized. Holds a bachelor's degree in psychology. He is passionate about filmmaking and has been working on documentaries about Japan. During his downtime, he's often indulging his inner foodie by trying out some of the best hidden gem restaurants in Tokyo. Website: https://mattvachon.com. Instagram: @mattvachonphoto.

• Category Other Sightseeing
• How To: Sightseeing

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PLANNING A TRIP TO JAPAN JUST BECOME A LOT EASIER WITH THESE 10 USEFUL APPS FOR VISITING JAPAN THAT ARE IN ENGLISH!

As much as we might hate to admit it, smartphones are necessary to get through most of our days. When you're traveling, they can be a real lifesaver. Especially if it's your first time in Japan , and you can't speak any Japanese! Before you leave the airport, make sure to pick up a SIM card or mobile WiFi router . Without them, getting connected while you explore different parts of Japan will be frustrating. Although you can depend on hotels to have reliable internet connections, most public places don't. Coffee shops and restaurants usually only have provider-specific routers, and city-wide WiFi is so slow it's pretty much useless. Once you've got a way to access the internet, download these apps to make your trip to Japan a breeze!

1. GOOGLE MAPS

Let's get the obvious app you'll need out of the way first. If you go anywhere on your own in Japan, Google Maps are a must. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto have ancient roads that go in curvy and complicated patterns. Without a navigation app, you'll quickly get lost. But what makes Google Maps the one we recommend? It'll also help you navigate local trains, buses, and subways ! When you ride the Tokyo Metro, Google Maps will show you either your train's platform number or the name of the final destination. It'll also sometimes tell you which car to board so that you can easily reach your exit or make a speedy transfer. Recently, a new feature shows how crowded it usually is, too! That said, Google Maps isn't entirely flawless. It can drain your battery life, and it's sometimes a few minutes off on train arrivals and route estimate times. If you're making a long-distance journey, you can't search for which trains and buses accept the JR Pass. If you want an alternate navigation app, take a look at Hyperdia .

2. GOOGLE TRANSLATE

You might have heard that most Japanese people don't speak any English. While that statement isn't entirely factual , a 2016 survey by Rakuten found that 70% of respondents said they have little or no English abilities. To get around the language barrier, many travelers learn some Japanese phrases , but it never hurts to have Google Translate as a backup. Many restaurants offer English or illustrated menus, but this isn't always the case. At some mom-and-pop shops, you might get stuck with a paper filled with kanji— in cursive ! In this kind of situation, you can use Google Translate's "instant camera" function. Although it won't be 100% correct, you'll get the main idea. When it comes to face-to-face communication, using English and hand gestures goes a lot further than you might think. Only use Google Translate as a last resort, and make sure you input simple sentences.

3. INSTAGRAM

Yes, you'll see picturesque places that you'll want to share with friends, but we're not talking about that. You can use Instagram to help map out your day. Especially if you're coming to see cherry blossoms or autumn leaves . Everyone has their favorite place for seeing these phenomenons. However, cherry blossoms and other flowers are fickle. Nothing is more disappointing than crossing oceans to find they haven't reached their full bloom or have already wilted. With Instagram, you can get the inside scoop without leaving your hotel. Using the search function, enter the name of your tentative destinations. Other user's recent pictures will pop up, and you can see for yourself if it's worth it to go. There are other apps and websites dedicated to this, but the best (and free) ones are only in Japanese.

4. WHATSAPP OR LINE

Don't get charged exorbitant long-distance fees when you call or text. Tools like WhatsApp and LINE will make it easy for you to keep in touch without running up your phone bill. If you're joining a group tour, download WhatsApp. Most, if not all, guides use this app to contact their guests in case of an emergency. If you aren't already a user, note that you can't call landlines, nor can you call a mobile phone that doesn't have WhatsApp installed. Besides tour guides, though, WhatsApp isn't the most popular instant messaging platform. Most Japanese people use LINE instead of calling or texting through their service plans. Like WhatsApp, you can use LINE to text, call, or video chat with other users. Businesses sometimes offer discounts if you add them as a "friend," so keep an eye out for these kinds of promotions.

5. ANA OR JAL

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are the two largest international airlines in the country. If you're taking either of these on your flight to and from Japan, consider downloading their apps. With ANA Sky Mobile, you can make reservations, check flight statuses and your mileage, as well as apply for rewards. You can also use it to access in-flight entertainment on some domestic routes. JAL GLOBAL offers similar services, but the company has also released other apps to help you during your travels after you land. The JAL Explore Japan WiFi connects you to over 200,000 public hotspots.

6. JAPANTAXI

Finding a cab in metropolitan areas is a sinch. You'll see them lined up at taxi stands or actively looking for passengers as they drive around town. However, if you're in the suburbs or if it's rush hour, you might have some trouble hailing one. There are ridesharing apps in Japan, but they haven't seen as much success as they have in other countries. With the JapanTaxi application, you can call a cab to your location without any Japanese needed. You don't need a credit card to sign up, and the interface is very user-friendly. Just hit "Pick me up here" to call a cab right away, or use the "Date and Time" button to reserve one. You can also change your location by moving your screen or search for an address. When you confirm your ride, JapanTaxi will send the license plate number of your car.

7. SAFETY TIPS

Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world and is typhoon-prone in late summer . Although it isn't likely that you'll experience a natural disaster, it's better to stay prepared. As soon as you arrive, your phone automatically connects with the emergency alert system. Unfortunately, all of the warnings are in Japanese. The Japan National Tourism Organization developed the Safty Tips app for foreign travelers to receive notifications in their native language. You can set it to actively use your location or input the places you'll visit. The home screen shows the current weather and a flowchart of warnings and information. Among the different options, you can find information about recent earthquakes, volcanic warnings, and evacuation procedures. If you have a personal emergency, you can use Safety Tips to find the closest hospital or phrases in Japanese for seeking help.

8. ECBO CLOAK

One of the necessary evils about traveling is your suitcase . No matter how few clothes you bring or souvenirs you buy, dragging bags around town isn't fun. Thankfully, Japan has a convenient luggage-delivery system, and most train stations have coin lockers. But what do you do when the lockers are full, or you don't want to send your things? Ecbo Cloak is like Airbnb for suitcases. On their interactive map, you can find different businesses that offer storage for a fee. Places like hair salons , language schools, coffee shops, and other establishments with extra space for sale all participate. The app very advantageous if you have oversized or unusually shaped items like sports equipment or musical instruments. You might also consider using it if you take a day trip and want to lighten your load. Best of all, you can reserve ahead of time or as needed depending on your itinerary.

9. OPENTABLE

If wandering the streets to find something to eat doesn't sound appealing to you, you can use OpenTable to find a restaurant. Although you might know this app as a tool for making reservations, it's possible to use it to search for shops by budget, cuisine, or availability. That isn't to say Japan doesn't have apps that work like Yelp. Locals usually use Tablelog or Gurunavi to find eateries in their area. Tablelog has customer reviews, and Gurunavi notes if there is an English menu or vegetarian options. Neither app is in English, but their mobile-friendly sites have multiple languages.

If you're a solo traveler looking to make friends from all over the world, Japan can be a somewhat lonely country. In Japanese culture, people usually don't speak to strangers, even in bars and clubs. Try to strike up a conversation with someone in a cafe, and you might get sideways glances and awkward stutters. With the Meetup app, you can find events in your area where you can meet new people. Some of the activities target travelers and ex-pats, some are for everyone, and some specifically try to connect Japanese and international people. Just enter your hobbies when you sign up, and Meetup will show happenings around town that might interest you!

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12 of the Best Apps for Japan Travel

Last Updated January 11, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Gear & Tech » 12 of the Best Apps for Japan Travel

When it comes to travel to Japan, things can easily get lost in translation.  Whether you’re a first timer or a frequent traveller to the country, it’s always a bit overwhelming especially in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka where you’re faced with endless number of neighbourhoods, what seems to be an infinite number of train lines and companies that run them, and not to mention all of the restaurants that you can choose from.  It’s a lot to take in but thanks to a couple of apps, your life on the road in Japan can be made a lot easier.

So without further ado, here are the twelve best apps for Japan travel that you’ll definitely want to make sure you download before you go.

Read more about Japan

• Best offline maps app for travel that isn’t Google
• Ultimate Tokyo food guide
• Must-read Japan 12 day itinerary
• Kichijoji street food guide
• What to buy in Japan and where

Where to stay in Japan?

• Now that’s a loaded question but to get you started, here are a few guides to take a look at.  Here are places to stay in Tokyo and where to stay in Kyoto .
• Table of Contents

Looking for something specific in this itinerary?  Jump to what you want to read.

In This Article

1.  Google Maps

2.  maps.me, 3.  hyperdia, 4.  japan travel by navitime, 5.  tokyo subway navigation, 6.  norikae annai japan transit (formerly japan transit planner by jorudan), 7. google translate, 8. gurunavi, 9. ramen beast, 10. rosetta stone, 11. ecbo cloak, 12 must-download best apps for japan travel, the best apps for japan travel.

As technology has evolved, so have the apps that are on our smartphones.  Here are a collection of apps that I always make sure are loaded on my phone before I start my trip to Japan.

Let’s start with the most obvious here.  Map apps are going to be one of the most critical ones to keep you from getting lost.  You’ll use it to find places you want to go and you can use it to navigate as well.

On my first trip to Japan I was skeptical about how good this would be but in most cases, I’d say I defaulted to Google as one does.

You can pretty much find anything you’re looking for on Google and with its handy Save feature where you can drop pins on places that you want to visit.  This is something I do for almost every trip and part of my trip planning process .

Google Maps is also surprisingly good when it comes to providing train navigation instructions with accurate timing.  I noticed locals use it too so it must be pretty reliable.

Offline wise, Google Maps is fully capable but with drawbacks.  You can easily do the “OK Maps” technique of saving maps offline  or you can go into the “Offline maps” section of the menu.  However, the issue is that if you pull up your offline map when you’re out of range of data, your pins don’t show up and that can get pretty annoying if you don’t have a Japan SIM card or a hotspot such as Skyroam .

Get your SIM

If you’re headed to Japan, think about ordering a SIM card ahead of time so that you can hit the ground running when you arrive. No more stressing with where to go one you land at the airport and figuring out what plans work out the best or are the best deal.

ORDER YOUR SIM

Another nifty feature of Google Maps is that you can create your own custom maps (called My Maps) which you’ll see me use on all of my itineraries and guides including the top ramen shops in Tokyo and best places to eat in Tokyo .  I love them because you can copy them from folks like me and then tweak it to your liking in terms of adding custom icons, colours, and layers.  The only problem with this feature is that again, you need data to access it.  Even if you have offline maps saved, it won’t let you load it unless you have data.

Tips:  If you’re going to travel without data and you want to use Google Maps with your pins intact (custom maps or otherwise), make sure you have the Google Maps open while you have wifi and make sure you keep the map alive throughout the day

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pros:  

• Easy to use and most are comfortable with the interface
• Navigation capabilities are very good in Japan
• Access to the large pool of data that’s on Google (point of interest information such as hours, website, pictures, reviews)

Cons:  

• Has limitations when it comes to offline use

Offline Capability: Yes but no access to pins or My Maps without data

Download:  iOS / Android

Price:  Free

On the topic of maps, Maps.me is an app that I’m going to more and more and here’s why.

Maps.me is an offline map juggernaut and while I can’t say it’s a replacement for Google Maps, I use it to complement it in situations where I know there’s going to be blackout of data or simply put, I’m too cheap to pay for data.

That is why when I plan my trips, I make sure that the pins that I added on Google Maps also appear on Maps.me.  There’s a fairly simple process of doing it but if you don’t know how, make sure to read my guide on how to import your custom Google Maps into Maps.me .

The advantage of the Maps.me app is that once you download the areas of interest, you’ll have access to the maps, points of interests that are built-in, and of course any custom pins/bookmarks that you create.

• Has very rich offline capabilities
• Bookmarking features are handy and luckily you can import them from your Google My Maps
• Surprisingly a high number of points of interests for their small offline map sizes which means you can actually search for places offline
• Tracks GPS location as you would expect
• Does not have navigation capabilities
• Takes awhile to learn the app if you’re a first-time user
• Point of interest lacks rich data that Google has

UPDATE: As of March 31, 2022, they disabled the ability to search timetables but you can still search average times. It looks like the Android version of the app has been pulled but the iOS version remains as “HYPERDIA by VOICE”. The better alternative for Hyperdia is now Japan Travel .

This is one of the essential apps when it comes to travel in Japan mainly because it is the Bible for all any train travel in the country.

Whether you have the Japan Rail Pass or you’re purchasing rail tickets leg by leg, this is the must-have app or website to find out what you need to take and accurately see the departure and arrival times. What makes HyperDia a godsend is that it’s useable Japanese website that has English translations.

Traditionally, HyperDia was something you used on your desktop.  It’s got handy features like being able to filter out Nozomi and Mizuho trains in your search so you only see trains that your Japan Rail Pass can use.  This is still the preferred way to use HyperDia but with everyone living off of their smartphones, they’ve also developed an app version.

For those with Apple phones, they have an app that’s built with Siri-like capabilities.  All you have to do is say something like “Tokyo station to Osaka station, first train” and it’ll be able to parse it out to search.  It’s a good quick search tool for those that are on the go.  I also like that you can filter for results that only work with the Japan Rail Pass .

If you have Android, it doesn’t have the voice feature but it does everything else and even has additional features like providing walking times, car rental rates, and even suggest hotels in the area.

The disadvantage with HyperDia apps is that they’re not free and so I think most people will end up using this on your browser or laptop if you packed one for your trip to Japan.

Overall, this is a must-use tool especially for anyone travelling around the country.

• Access to highly accurate and complete schedule of all trains in Japan
• Will show you routes that sometimes Google will miss
• Useful for those that are travelling with the JR Pass
• Provides tons of valuable travel information including duration and cost
• Saves your history of searches
• App is not free
• Extremely basic app design that is quite dated
• Mapping isn’t built in
• No real offline capabilities

Offline Capability: No

Download:  iOS

Website:    HyperDia

Price:  App is free to download but unlocking English features require payment.  Subscription based – $2.99 USD per month for English and $25.99 USD for the year.  That said, you can use the app as a 30 day trial so just download this right before you leave.

Japan Trip Planning Essentials and Discounts

If you’re in the middle of booking your trip to Japan, here are the most important places you need to go to book:

• JR Pass – The two most reliable places we always check are JRailPass and JRPass . If you are taking long distance Shinkansen across multiple region, get the full JR Pass . If you’re focusing on one specific area, you only need a JR regional pass .
• Shinkansen – The JR Pass prices have gone up and for many of you, it’ll make more sense to book tickets individually. The secret is that when you buy your Shinkansen tickets through Klook offers special vouchers for Don Quijote and BIC when booking. Their tickets are super easy to redeem as well. Right now, use code SKS10OFF to save $10 USD off.
• Hotels/Ryokans – In Japan, the best website for accommodations, hands down is Agoda . When we’ve compared them against Booking , Agoda consistently came out cheaper.
• Tours – While Viator and GetYourGuide are our go-to’s, Klook and KKDay are much popular in Asia so it’s always worth comparing across all of them to make sure you get the best price.
• Pocket Wifi – While we do love eSIMs, having a pocket wifi is great for sharing data with a large group. The most popular is NinjaWifi which is easy to pick up at the airport. Use code AWESOME15 to save 15% (automatically applied). Alternatives are offered by JRPass and JRailPass but they aren’t as cheap. For a more global solution, consider Solis and PokeFi .
• eSIM – The best one is Airalo . Save money by getting the Japan region eSIM and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. From now to Feb 29, the 10GB package is half price as well! Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
• Car Rental – Big companies like Budget , Avis , and Enterprise operate in Japan but they’re usually the most expensive. The best companies are the local Japanese ones such as Toyota Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar, Orix Rentacar, Nissan Rentacar, and Times Car Rental. To make things easier, use Rentalcars and Klook to compare prices all in one place. Don’t forget, you need an IDP to drive in Japan so get one before you leave your home country.
• Learn Japanese – It helps to know even a bit of the language before you go. Start your learning with Rosetta Stone Japanese .
• Cash or credit – Cash is still very important to have in Japan but when you use credit cards, make sure you’re not getting charged those extra exchange rate fees. The best card right now is the Wise Multi-Currency Card which is actually a debit card where you can convert at favorable rates beforehand. This cuts out any sneaky transaction fees.
• Travel Insurance – Make sure you’re covered in case something happens. Get quotes from Insured Nomads and if you’re from Canada, get quotes from RATESDOTCA .
• Shopping – Discovering Don Quijote is a quintessential part of the Japan experience. The secret for tax-free shopping is that they have a coupon that can help you save 10% off + additional 5% off if you spend ¥10,000 or more.

This is another essential app to have for anyone that’s spending time in Japan’s capital, Tokyo.  If you’ve read my  how to get around in Tokyo guide, you’ll know how complex transit is in the city because of all the different companies, lines, ways to pay and so much more.

NaviTime is a comprehensive app that has everything you need to know about not only Tokyo’s transportation network but also the rest of the country.  It also includes the following:

• Offline search for free WiFi spots
• Navigation directions to get from point A to B
• Voice navigation
• Train stop list which helps with knowing you’ve gotten on train that’s going in the right direction
• Train delays
• Recent routes are saved offline

If you’re using this to plan your train routes, another handy thing is knowing what platform you need to be on which is especially useful in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.

The app has also expanded beyond just transit as it also has built in guides for events, shopping, nature, nightlife, art & culture, and food & drink.  It also has itineraries and coupons as well which can be helpful.

One thing you should be mindful of is that to use most of the functionalities you will need data so make sure you grab a SIM card ahead of time or a pocket wi-fi device .

• You could say this is a more full fleshed out app compared to HyperDia
• Detailed schedule of trains in Japan and optimal routing
• Access to travel guides and articles
• The searches by JR Pass can be limiting because it can exclude some obvious connectors that will require cash payment and instead ask you to walk instead which may not be ideal
• There are some complaints about battery life on Android
• No real offline capability

Price:  Free (searching alternate routes based on disruptions or voice searching are paid features)

UPDATE: This app has been discontinued but we really like Tokyo Subway Map OFFLINE on iOS. There’s a different Android version called Tokyo Metro Map (Offline) .

If you’re only staying in Tokyo and need just a really simple app to replace the paper map for the Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines then this is it.

There’s not much to say about it other than the fact that it’s basic, easy to use, and for me is all about seeing the subway system lines so I can quickly figure out how to get to where I need to go.

• Offline map of the Tokyo Metro and Toei lines in Tokyo
• Limited functionality beyond the two lines

Offline Capability: Yes but only for the map and not for navigation purposes

This is another transit app that is often raved by locals that live in Japan.  The original Jorudan app is packed with features but since there was never any English built in, they finally created a stand-alone app called Japan Transit Planner.

Similar to the other navigation apps on the list so far, it does routing for trains so you can filter out routes that aren’t covered by the JR Pass, pick reserved seats, find out how much each option costs, and which takes the least amount of time.  I also like that this one has capabilities to search by station to see what lines run through and their individual schedules.

This app also has information about flights as well if that’s an option that makes sense for your journey.

What it doesn’t have are any maps or any offline capabilities which was one of the big advantages of the Japanese version.

• Easy to use and clean interface
• Allows you to find the fastest route and tells you which ones are easy to help you decide
• Includes ticket pricing whether using a ticket or IC card which is helpful
• Useful filtering options for Japan Rail Pass, Tokyo Subway Ticket, and sort order preferences
• No offline functionality

Price:  Free but there is a subscription available that removes ads, path/timetable history, customized search criteria, and optimal boarding position

So far we’ve been focusing on navigation and that’s super important because the worst feeling is getting lost in a brand new country.  The second thing that you’ll encounter is the language barrier.  While you might not have any experience in Japanese at all, there are apps like Google Translate that can help along the way.

This is an app that is a must-have for anyone that travels because you can download so many different languages for offline translation.  Over the years it has also gotten better and better with new functionality.

Here are a few things that Google Translate is good for:

• Translating something in English to Japanese and either attempting to say it or just showing the characters (flip the phone to landscape mode and it’ll show the words in a giant cue-card format
• Voice translation (data required) where you can translate something quickly on the fly from English to Japanese or if you hear something in Japanese and want it translated, you can also use this
• Conversation mode is a new one that I haven’t tried yet but the idea is that you can literally have it running and it’ll translate back and forth as both sides speak
• Handwriting can be helpful if you see Japanese characters and you’re trying to figure out what it says
• Camera mode is also useful for translating Japanese to English on the fly by taking your phone’s camera and pointing at the sign that you’re trying to figure out
• Voice playback to help with pronunciation
• Incredibly easy to use and offers multiple ways to translate
• Offline capability is a huge plus
• Camera mode is sometimes un-useable as only some of the translations make sense so it is very much hit-or-miss

Offline Capability: Yes but some features may not be available such as any voice feature, Conversation, or Handwriting

We’ve gotten this far without talking about food so it’s time to correct that.  If you’ve been wondering “what is the Yelp of Japan”, GuruNavi is going to be the closest thing as a reputable app that let’s just say is going offer way more authentic advice than TripAdvisor.

GuruNavi is an app that helps you figure out what to eat based on where you’re going to be, the type of cuisine, and budget across cities all over Japan.  The app is a relatively simple search interface where you’ll pick the cuisine you want and the city or neighbourhood.

These are the features that you’ll find helpful while you travel:

• Find out whether they have English menus or not
• Preview of menus with price
• Recommended dishes
• Credit cards accepted
• Opening hours
• Phone number

I personally feel like the app is decent for restaurant research but you’re going to be overwhelmed with the results.  The main issue is that there’s no real way to sort the restaurant listing by some sort of rating system.  There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason to what you see so the challenge you’ll have is figuring out what’s the best.  Still, it’s helpful in a pinch if you feel like just picking something random around you.

• English-based app for restaurants all across Japan
• Detailed information about each restaurant
• Handy link to be able to call restaurants to make reservations if you need to
• Ability to filter by neighbourhood and cuisine
• No offline capability
• Missing utility features such as being able to bookmark restaurants
• No rating system to make it possible to sort listings

If you’ve read my piece of ramen etiquette that you’re probably breaking or the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo , you’ll know that I did this with the help of local experts from Ramen Beast.  They’re a small team that’s obsessed with finding the best ramen in the country and sharing that passion with the rest of the world.

They started off as something web-based but now they have a killer app as well and super handy for anyone that wants to seek out the best bowl of ramen goodness.

It’s truly impressive how much of the country that have covered and especially when you go to hot spots like Tokyo or Osaka, you’ll see the land dotted with red pins.  Each listing has photos of the location and food, essential info about the shop, recommended “bowl to crush”, and a description that reads like it was written by a writer for The Hollywood Reporter (which is actually true).

If you’re overwhelmed by the choice, the Ramen Beast app also has lists which are curated collection of ramen shops that will tell you which ones are the best miso style, ones that are open late, or simply the crème de la crème of Tokyo.

• Slick and modern UI that’s easy to use and navigate
• Has a geo-location function to narrow down by map where you are
• Listings include photos and more importantly, the one bowl you have to order
• Handy lists to help narrow down your choices
• No Android version
• No offline capabilities

Download:  iOS /not available on Android

If you’re super keen on learning Japanese, I’d recommend trying out Rosetta Stone.  Yes they still exist!  Instead of the boxes you could buy off the shelves of Best Buy, it’s gone fully digital with an app and everything.

I recently tested the app for the Mandarin edition and I was really impressed with how well put together the curriculum is and its focus on the practical as opposed to the mundane details of grammar.  You jump right into conversational pieces that will actually be useful.

With the Rosetta Stone, you can truly learn a new language on the go where all the modules can be done while commuting or waiting at the doctor’s appointment.  There are built in audio guides for extended learning, and on top of that, lessons can be saved offline.

Once you learn the basics of Japanese, you won’t feel some of the struggles that are very real in the country where English comprehension is quite limited.

• Very well-built app that is very conducive to learning a new language
• Offline capability is handy
• May not match your learning style

Offline Capability: Yes, lessons can be downloaded offline and is available for 30 days afterwards

Price:  The subscription $129.99 USD for 12 months or if you want something shorter $89.99 for 6 months of $49.99 for 3 months but they always offer Rosetta Stone discounts so check them out for savings up to 20% off.

Have you ever had situations in your travels where you’ve needed to check out of your accommodations early and you have this awkward gap of time between catching a bus, plane, or train and you don’t know what to do with your stuff?  You either have to carry your luggage with you or you have to find a place to stash it for a couple of hours.

Ecbo Cloak is an app that works similarly to another service I learned about in Taiwan called Lalalocker .  Think of it as the Airbnb of storage lockers.  In most cities, you’ll have the official storage lockers in train stations, large retail stores, and post offices but what about all of the available space in someone’s store, restaurant, maybe even a hotel offering up their space to non-guests, or even someone’s home?

With Ecbo Cloak, it’ll help you find the luggage storage shops nearby, help you reserve, and pay all through the app.  How it works is you reserve your space ahead of time by paying online with your credit card.  Storage is charged per day and for most places, it’s 300 JPY for small bags smaller than 45cm long and 600 JPY for anything larger.  You can also reserve at rail stations for a flat fee of 800 JPY.

• Sharing economy at its finest and provides great utility for a common travel issue
• Reasonable prices and all handled within the app to eliminate the hassle of payment outside of the system
• Established trust factor

Price:  Free to download but fee required for luggage storage

Yes Uber does work in Japan. I finally got a chance to test it on my latest trip to Japan!

I don’t think I need to explain what Uber does so why don’t I just dive into what situations you’d want to use Uber versus the traditional way of hailing a cab in a city such as Tokyo.

I talk about this same topic when explaining how to apply to the Toyosu Fish Market tuna auction  but essentially it works like this.  Uber in Tokyo is more like a taxi-hailing app where the same taxis that you’d flag down on the street could be the same ones picking you up by Uber.  Overall, Uber in most cases is going to be more expensive than regular cabs but where there’s a twist in the story is during late night from 10PM to 5AM where there’s usually a 20% surcharge.  Uber doesn’t add this in so if you’re out late, Uber may be a good option.

Another thing to consider is when you’re travelling in groups of 5 or more.  Most cabs in the city are for a maximum of 4 passengers.  Uber allows you to call a van on-the-fly as opposed to waiting around and hoping for a larger van cab to roll by.

• Regular taxis are usually cheaper

Price:  Free to download but if you’re creating a new account, make sure to use promo code  willt1324ue to save $5 off your first ride.

So there you have it!  12 useful apps to have when travelling to Japan.  You might not use all of these apps when you’re in the country but they’re always good to have pre-downloaded before you go.

Last tip I’ll share is that you want to make sure you open each one before you leave because they may need to download an internal update or in the case of the map apps, do all the offline downloading ahead of time.

Have a blast in Japan!

What you should read next

• Travel Hacking – Caching Your Google Maps For When You Have No Data
• Best Offline Maps App for Travel that Isn’t Google – How to Import My Maps into Maps.me
• 7 Essential Apps for Iceland

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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Essential Apps for Traveling in Japan: Navigating, Translating, and Exploring

• About Japan

Are you planning a trip to Japan? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we’re going to share with you some essential apps that will make your travels in Japan a breeze.

Whether you need help with navigation, translation, finding the best restaurants, or even protecting your online privacy, we’ve got you covered.

These apps are designed to make your trip easier, more enjoyable, and ensure that you have all the information you need to explore this incredible country.

So, let’s dive in and discover the must-have apps for traveling in Japan!

Key Takeaways

• Navitime and Tokyo Metro Subway Map Route are recommended for navigating and using public transportation in Japan.
• Yomiwa Japanese Dictionary is a useful language and translation app that does not require an internet connection.
• Using a VPN in Japan can provide benefits such as accessing geo-restricted content and protecting online privacy and security.
• Gourmet Navigator is a helpful app for finding restaurants based on cuisine and specific preferences, with features like English-speaking staff and Wi-Fi options.

Navigation and Transportation Apps

If you’re looking for a user-friendly navigation app in Japan, Navitime is the way to go. It offers door-to-door search options, a voice navigation system, and offline route storage.

This means you can easily find your way around even without an internet connection. Navitime is available for both iOS and Android devices, so you can use it no matter what phone you have.

The app is designed to be easy to use, so you won’t have any trouble figuring it out. Plus, the voice navigation system will guide you every step of the way, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of getting lost.

With Navitime, navigating Japan has never been easier.

Language and Translation Apps

You can easily communicate and understand Japanese with the Yomiwa Japanese Dictionary app, which provides common words, proper pronunciations, and supports multiple languages. This app is a lifesaver when it comes to navigating the language barrier in Japan. Not only does it give you translations for words and phrases, but it also helps you with proper pronunciations, so you can confidently speak Japanese. The best part is that you don’t need an internet connection to use it, making it perfect for traveling. With Yomiwa, you can quickly look up words, sentences, or even kanji characters, and get instant translations. It’s like having a personal translator in your pocket!

So whether you’re trying to order food at a restaurant or ask for directions, the Yomiwa Japanese Dictionary app is your go-to tool for effective communication in Japan.

Internet and Privacy Apps

Using a VPN in Japan has numerous benefits. Here are three reasons why you should consider using a VPN while traveling in Japan:

• Access to geo-restricted content: With a VPN, you can bypass regional restrictions and access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, allowing you to watch your favorite shows and movies from anywhere in the world.
• Online privacy and security: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it nearly impossible for hackers and third parties to intercept your data. This ensures that your personal information, such as passwords and credit card details, remains secure while browsing the internet.
• Avoid government surveillance: Japan has strict internet regulations, and using a VPN can help you circumvent government surveillance and censorship. With a VPN, you can browse the internet anonymously and freely, without worrying about your online activities being monitored.

Restaurant and Food Apps

Gourmet Navigator is a helpful app for finding restaurants in Japan. It offers filters for specific preferences and recommendations for family-friendly options.

With this app, you can easily search for restaurants based on cuisine and other preferences. It ensures that you find the perfect place to satisfy your cravings, whether you’re in the mood for sushi, ramen, or tempura.

Gourmet Navigator also provides information about English-speaking staff and Wi-Fi availability. This makes it easier for international travelers to communicate and stay connected.

Plus, the app suggests family-friendly restaurants. This ensures that even the little ones will have a great dining experience.

General Travel Tips and Information

To make the most of your trip to Japan, consider downloading these helpful travel apps for navigation, language translation, internet privacy, and more. Here are four essential apps that will enhance your travel experience:

• Navitime: This app offers a door-to-door search option, voice navigation system, and offline use for train delay information. It even allows offline route storage, ensuring that you can navigate even without an internet connection.
• Yomiwa Japanese Dictionary: If you want to communicate effectively in Japan, this app is a must-have. It provides common Japanese words and sentences, includes proper pronunciations, and supports multiple languages. The best part? It doesn’t require an internet connection.
• VPN: When it comes to internet privacy and security, a VPN is essential. It helps you access geo-restricted content, protects your online privacy, and prevents government surveillance and bandwidth throttling.
• FAQs: This app is a treasure trove of information for first-time visitors to Japan. It provides essential travel tips and guides, from subway navigation to JR exchange cards. It also offers insights into the best times to visit and how long to stay.

With these apps in your pocket, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate, translate, and explore Japan with ease. Happy travels!

Must-Have Japan Travel Apps

Make sure to download these must-have travel apps for your trip to Japan to enhance your experience and make navigating the country a breeze!

• Navitime: This app offers a door-to-door search option, a voice navigation system, and offline use for train delay information. You can also store routes offline, so you won’t have to worry about losing your way. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices.
• Tokyo Metro Subway Map Route: If you’re planning to explore Tokyo, this user-friendly app is a lifesaver. It helps you select and use subway trains, making navigation in the city a breeze. Just keep in mind that it requires an internet connection.
• Japan Transit Planner: This app provides detailed analysis and data on train travel, including distance and fare calculations. It even allows you to purchase tickets. Available for both iOS and Android platforms, it’s perfect for planning your travel within Japan.
• Yomiwa Japanese Dictionary: Language barriers can be challenging, but with this app, you’ll have common Japanese words and sentences at your fingertips. It also includes proper pronunciations and supports multiple languages. The best part? It doesn’t require an internet connection.

These apps will not only make your trip smoother but also help you immerse yourself in the culture and navigate the beautiful country of Japan with ease. So, don’t forget to download them before your adventure begins!

What to Avoid While Visiting Tokyo: travelers Beware!

Now that you have a good understanding of the must-have travel apps for Japan, let’s talk about something equally important: what to avoid while visiting Tokyo. As a tourist, it’s essential to be aware of certain things to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. To help you out, here’s a table highlighting some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

A Foodie Couples 16-Day Honeymoon in Japan

To fully immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Japan, indulge in a 16-day honeymoon as a foodie couple. Here are three reasons why this experience will be unforgettable:

• Discover Local Flavors: From sushi and ramen to yakitori and tempura, Japan offers a wide array of delicious dishes. Explore local markets, street food stalls, and traditional restaurants to savor the authentic flavors of Japanese cuisine.
• Experience Food Culture: Japan’s food culture is deeply rooted in tradition and rituals. Witness the art of tea ceremony, learn how to make sushi from a master chef, and participate in a traditional kaiseki meal. Immerse yourself in the rich history and etiquette of Japanese dining.
• Visit Culinary Hotspots: Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are renowned for their vibrant food scenes. Explore Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, taste mouthwatering street food in Osaka’s Dotonbori district, and indulge in Kyoto’s kaiseki cuisine. Each city offers unique culinary experiences that will leave you craving for more.

Embark on this foodie adventure and create lifelong memories as you savor the flavors of Japan together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any navigation apps specifically designed for navigating rural areas in japan.

Yes, there are navigation apps designed for navigating rural areas in Japan. They offer offline maps, route planning, and local points of interest. Some popular options include MapFactor, OsmAnd, and Pocket Earth. Happy exploring!

Can the Yomiwa Japanese Dictionary App Translate Handwritten Japanese Text?

Yes, the Yomiwa Japanese Dictionary app can translate handwritten Japanese text. It’s a handy tool for understanding common words and sentences, with proper pronunciations. You can use it offline too! Available for iOS and Android.

Are There Any Restaurant Apps That Offer Reservation Services for Popular Restaurants in Japan?

Yes, there are restaurant apps in Japan that offer reservation services for popular restaurants. They make it easy to secure a table at your desired spot so you can enjoy your meal without any worries.

Are There Any Recommended Internet and Privacy Apps for travelers Who Need to Access Public Wi-Fi Networks?

If you’re a tourist needing to access public Wi-Fi networks, there are recommended internet and privacy apps available. These apps can help protect your online privacy and security, while also allowing you to access geo-restricted content.

What Are Some Recommended Travel Apps for Booking Accommodations and Finding Local Attractions in Japan?

Looking for travel apps to book accommodations and find local attractions in Japan? Check out these recommended apps. They make it easy to find the perfect place to stay and discover hidden gems. Download now and start exploring!

So there you have it, fellow traveler! These essential apps for traveling in Japan will be your trusty companions on your journey.

From navigating the intricate subway system to translating Japanese phrases, these apps will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

Don’t forget to protect your online privacy with a VPN app and discover the best restaurants with the help of food apps.

And of course, make sure to take note of the general travel tips and information provided.

With these apps in your pocket, you’re all set for an amazing adventure in Japan!

Safe travels!

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Must-Have Travel Apps for Exploring Japan

Japan is one of the most interesting countries to visit. However, navigating your way around Japan’s places and culture (especially the bustling cities) may get complicated for first-time visitors.

Fortunately, there are a lot of apps that can assist you on your visit to Japan. Take a look at the following list of must-have apps for exploring Japan so you can uncomplicate your visit and enjoy your stay.

Chat and communication.

The LINE app is an essential tool for text and voice messaging, video calls, and translation services. It is widely used by locals.

iOS Android

Ride-hailing service.

JapanTaxi is a popular app for ride-hailing services in Japan, offering various transportation options, including taxis, vans, and luxury cars, with features such as advanced reservations, real-time tracking, and multilingual support.

Google Maps

Maps, directions, and navigation.

Google Maps provides accurate location information, real-time traffic updates, and public transportation guidance in major cities.

Japan Travel Route Map & Guide

This is an all-in-one travel app for visitors to Japan. It provides information like popular tourist destinations, transportation options, and cultural norms.

Food delivery.

Uber Eats is a popular and convenient app for food delivery when traveling to Tokyo, Japan, with a wide selection of dining options ranging from traditional Japanese to international cuisine available for delivery to one’s location.

Restaurant information and reservation.

Taberogu – also known as Gurunavi – is a popular Japanese app for restaurant information and reviews. It provides a comprehensive database of dining options and allows one to make reservations and search for special deals when traveling to Japan.

Luggage strorage locations.

For travelers to Japan, Ecbo Cloak offers affordable and secure luggage storage options at various locations, such as train stations and hotels, allowing for greater convenience and flexibility in exploring the country.

Travel Japan Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi hotspots information.

The Travel Japan Wi-Fi app provides essential assistance for travelers in Japan, offering free and convenient access to Wi-Fi hotspots across the country and helpful information on local attractions, transportation, and accommodations.

Visit Japan - AI Guide 12+

Travel japan your way with ai, arminas ruzgas.

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Visit Japan AI Guide creates a personalized itinerary for your trip to Japan based on your interests. Discover the best activities, attractions, and experiences in Japan. Do you want to visit Japan but don’t know where to start? Do you want to make the most of your time and money in this amazing country? Do you want to enjoy a unique and memorable trip that suits your personality and style? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Visit Japan - AI Guide is the app for you. Visit Japan - AI Guide is an app that creates a personalized travel itinerary for you based on your input. All you have to do is tell the app the duration of your trip, the cities you want to visit, and your personal interests. Then, the app will use a generative AI that lists personalized activities for all days of your trip. You’ll get a detailed plan that includes the best things to do, see, eat, and experience in Japan, tailored to your taste and budget. With Visit Japan - AI Guide, you’ll never run out of ideas or options for your trip. You’ll always have something fun, exciting, and relevant to do, no matter where you are or what mood you’re in. You’ll also save time and money by avoiding tourist traps, scams, and unnecessary expenses. You’ll travel like a local, not like a tourist. Visit Japan - AI Guide is more than just an app. It’s your personal travel guide, companion, and friend. It’s the app that makes your trip to Japan easy, enjoyable, and unforgettable. Download the Visit Japan - AI Guide today and start planning your dream trip to Japan. You can try it for free for 7 days and access all the features and benefits of the app. After the free trial, you can subscribe to the app for a monthly or yearly fee and continue to use it for all your future trips to Japan. Visit Japan - AI Guide is the app that lets you travel Japan your way with AI. Terms of Use: - Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA) - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

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12 of the best places to visit in Japan

From Tokyo to Yokohama, these are the Japanese destinations to tick off your bucket list

There's plenty to see and do in Japan - from staring at the bright lights of Tokyo to finding peace in the scenic Japanese Alps . Many will agree that one of the best times to explore Japan is during the cherry blossom season . Its spectacular spring-time displays can be enjoyed around the country and are celebrated with picnics in the parks and seasonal parties.

While Tokyo and Kyoto are two of the most popular places to visit Japan (and rightly so as they are also some of the most beautiful destinations), there are many places beyond these hotspots, whether it's Japan's cities, islands or mountains you want to explore.

A cruise to Japan is an excellent way to visit multiple regions on one trip and can take you to some undiscovered places. If you're planning ahead for Japan's sell-out cruises, you'll want to check out Good Housekeeping's incredible spring 2025 sailing during the cherry blossom season . It's perfect for getting to know the lesser-known, underrated places, such as Niigata and Toyama.

For any traveller who has always dreamed of visiting Japan, now is the time to get planning and to help inspire your next trip, we've rounded up the best places to visit in Japan in 2024 and beyond.

Check out our favourite Japanese destinations below and visit the Japan National Tourism Organization website for more ideas on places to go.

The first stop for many foreign tourists is Japan's vibrant capital and it's not hard to see why. The world’s most populous metropolis, Tokyo offers tradition and innovation, and unlimited opportunities to eat, shop and explore.

Located on Tokyo Bay in the Kanto region of Honshu, Tokyo is known for its fashion and shopping, from the trendy shopping districts of Harajuku and Shibuya, to the luxury flagships of Ginza. Want to know where to go? Shinjuku is a thriving business district; a mix of gleaming skyscrapers and atmospheric back streets with tiny bars. Asakusa is the heart of Tokyo’s downtown, with ancient temples and traditional stores.

Tokyo is a foodie's paradise too, with more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, along with hundreds of cheap and delicious ramen shops. You'll want to explore Tokyo's dizzying array of restaurant and dining options, from themed cafés to haute cuisine.

EXPLORE TOKYO ON A 2025 JAPAN CRUISE

Japan’s second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo, Osaka is renowned as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the country. It's only a short shinkansen ride from Tokyo, making it a great place to visit in Japan if the capital city is your base. Visitors can step off the bullet train and into a bright and enticing city. Osaka Castle is a must-visit and home to beautiful grounds you can wander through, especially during the cherry blossom season when the spectacular blooms appear.

You'll want to explore other areas in the city too, including the neon lights of Dotombori Bridge and Osaka’s Minami area. Foodies can indulge in the famous culinary delights found in neighbourhoods such as Tenma and Ura Namba. Okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake made with shredded cabbage, flour, egg and dashi is either cooked at the table for diners or left for you to cook yourself.

Discover Osaka during a 17-day cruise holiday to Japan in spring 2025, when you might witness the spectacular cherry blossom displays in the city.

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OSAKA HOTELS

The capital of Kanagawa prefecture, Yokohama grew from a small fishing village during the Edo Period into Japan’s second largest city. A popular city among expats, Yokohama is also home to one of the world’s largest Chinatowns, and preserves some former Western residences in the Yamate district. While here, you must visit one of the city’s traditional and serene Japanese landscape gardens, Sankeien Garden, where you'll find winding trails set among historic buildings.

Another highlight is the bustling new city centre, Minato Mirai, which sits along the water. There's something for everyone here, from shopping centres and an amusement park to museums and relaxing hot spring baths.

Visit Yokohama on the last day of Good Housekeeping's cruise around Japan during the cherry blossom season in 2025.

YOKOHAMA HOTELS

Japanese Alps

The Japanese Alps are a series of spectacular mountain ranges in central Honshu, which are perfect for those who wish to escape the buzz of the country's most popular cities. Think thick pine forests, snow-tipped peaks and teal rivers. Only two hours from Tokyo, this natural paradise offers an excellent place to explore rural Japan.

The Alps are just the place for climbers, skiers, hikers and nature fans. Yamanaka Onsen is set in the mountainous area of Kaga Onsen, situated along a beautiful gorge. The hot spring resort is not only a top-spot for wellness but for traditional crafts – it's Yamanaka lacquerware has a 400-year history in the region. You can discover the contemplative heart of Zen Buddhism's Soto sect at Eiheiji (pictured), a massive temple complex just outside the city of Fukui. Built by the Buddhist monk Dogen (1200-1253), it has over 70 buildings set amid cedars in the mountains.

Meanwhile, the city of Kanazawa offers rich cultural heritage and a history of artistic innovation and excellence. One of the most important centres for culture and art during the Edo period, it remains a superb place for art lovers and culture enthusiasts.

KANAZAWA HOTELS

See the stunning Japanese Alps on a Good Housekeeping tour from Tokyo to Osaka in 2024 or 2025.

EXPLORE THE JAPANESE ALPS

Ancient temples, traditional teahouses and peaceful gardens: Kyoto is all about exploring historic Japan. A city of nearly 2,000 temples and shrines, it's Japan's spiritual heart and a true embodiment of Old Japan. Beyond the futuristic Kyoto Station, modern shopping complexes and sleek luxury hotels lies a city with celebrated centuries-old wonders, breathtaking temples and serene Zen gardens.

Kyoto effortlessly blends the past and present and is a must-see destination for history buffs, art lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

While here, you'll want to visit the grand temples, shrines, palaces and gardens in and around the city. Be sure to dine on delicious multi-course kaiseki cuisine and stay in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn), too.

Visit ancient Kyoto as part of our Good Housekeeping 13-day tour across the Japanese Alps.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR JAPAN TOUR

KYOTO HOTELS

The vibrant city of Hiroshima has a complicated history, great food and friendly locals. While it's probably most famous for being devastated by a nuclear attack during World War II, Hiroshima as a city promotes peace and understanding.

Every year on 6 August, a memorial service is held to commemorate the victims of the 1945 attack. Thousands write messages of peace on paper lanterns that are lit at sunset to float down the river past the iconic remains of the Atomic Bomb Dome.

During a visit, be sure to check out the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Dome. You should also taste Hiroshima's version of okomiyaki, a local delicacy. Another highlight is going to nearby Miyajima to see its deer and picturesque floating shrine.

Explore Hiroshima during a 2025 spring-time cruise to Japan, where you'll have time to visit the war memorials, shrines and temples.

HIROSHIMA HOTELS

Japan's Tohoku region is home to unspoiled rural landscapes and historical treasures. This northeastern wilderness is a huge region encompassing six rural prefectures that boast custom and heritage. The devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck in 2011 brought out the resilient nature of Tohoku's people, and local passion and pride are putting the area back on its feet.

There's a lot to be proud of, too – dramatic landscapes, history-rich sites, craft sake and a host of outdoor activities like rafting, hiking and skiing.

During a trip to the region, you can enjoy the explosive sound, colour and drama of the Aomori Nebuta Festival in summer. Or wander the temples, gardens and archeological sites of World Heritage-listed Hiraizumi in Iwate.

Don't miss an adventure along Hachinohe's section of the Michinoku Coastal Trail and foodies will want to taste the sweet cherries of Yamagata and the juicy peaches of Fukushima.

TOHOKU HOTELS

Shikoku might be the smallest of Japan's four main islands, but there are plenty of natural and culture sites to explore. Traditionally remote, Shikoku is now easy to access from Honshu.

The island offers picturesque coastline on the glittering Seto Inland Sea, legendary udon noodles and picture-perfect onsen. Its stunning Iya Valley, Pacific coastline and free-flowing rivers are best explored on hiking, kayaking and surfboarding adventures.

While here, you can sample the famous udon noodles of Kagawa, take the first steps of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage at temple number one, Ryozenji, in Tokushima, and relax in the hot waters of Dogo Onsen.

SHIKOKU HOTELS

The island of Hokkaido is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in winter, thanks to top resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. Sapporo, its main city, is also famous for beer, ramen and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. It's not all about winter fun here, though.

Hokkaido’s mild summers also provide relief from Japan’s humidity, and offer ideal conditions for hiking and exploring the many national parks. Much of Hokkaido is wild and unspoiled, with hot springs and volcanic lakes, so you're never too far from nature.

While here, explore the culture and traditions of the indigenous Ainu people at Lake Akan, and journey to the Shiretoko Peninsula to see free-roaming brown bears, foxes and deer. Visiting in the summer? Everyone will be dazzled by the rolling hills of Furano's lavender farms, while foodies will love dining on fresh seafood including succulent crab, salmon and fresh sushi in Hokkaido, too.

Get to know Hokkaido on Good Housekeeping's 2025 cruise, which stops in the city of Hakodate, which is overlooked by the 334-metre Mount Hakodate.

HOKKAIDO HOTELS

We love the distinct seasons in the Toyama region. It lies around two hours north of Tokyo, blanketed by snow in winter and blooming with cherry blossoms in spring. While Toyoma City is renowned for its fresh seafood, the wider region is particularly lovely. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given it's surrounded by rushing rivers and lush mountains.

This beautiful pocket of Japanese countryside is home to the UNESCO-listed area of Gokayama, which comprises the two villages of Ainokura and Suganuma, known for their carefully preserved thatched buildings called gassho-zukuri . The roofs are designed to resemble the hands of Buddhist monks’ pressed together in prayer. In winter, the snow-covered gassho-zukurie take on the look of a magical, fairy tale scene.

Join a Japanese cruise departing in spring 2025, and you’ll call at Toyama as the cherry blossom emerges. On an excursion, you can make the scenic hour-long journey from the cruise terminal to Gokayama, passing through the Nanto area of Toyama, where the Shogawa River and Oyabegawa rapids flow.

VISIT TOYAMA ON A 2025 JAPAN CRUISE

A 2024 extension to Japan's bullet train network makes access to a beautiful region deep in the mountains of the Fukui Prefecture much more accessible for visitors. It offers the chance to visit locations where you can join in with traditional rituals and learn more about Japanese culture in more remote pockets of the country.

The new train journey whisks visitors to locations like Eiheiji, where you’ll find one of the main temples of Zen Buddhism, founded in 1244. It’s a spiritual place amid mountainous scenery and ancient woodland, and guests are invited to join the practice. On departure, guests are presented with a goshuin , a traditional document written in exquisite Japanese calligraphy to certify their visit.

Next to the temple is the Zen Village, where you'll find the beautiful Hakujukan hotel, a sustainably built ryokan. As part of their stay, guests can partake in Zen meditation, known as zazen , before soaking in an open-air bath.

Koyasan, also known as Mount Koya, is thought by many as the most sacred place in all of Japan. Home to the centre of Shingon Buddhism, a sect that was brought to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi, one of the country's most prominent Buddhist monks, this mountain settlement comprises over 100 monasteries and temples.

The Shingon headquarters sit within the Kongobuji temple, which is open to visitors. Here you can learn about how Daishi founded the settlement and visit peaceful Banryutei Rock Garden, Japan’s largest rock garden.

Thanks to its verdant peaks and winding valleys, Koyasan is a popular place for hiking and is the starting point for the Shikoku Pilgrimage, a holy route that stretches roughly 750 miles and takes in 88 temples.

Koyasan is easy to access from Osaka via train for a day trip, but stay the night in shukubo (traditional temple lodgings) and you can enjoy a more immersive experience, interacting with monks and sampling their vegetarian cooking.

Visit serene Kōyasan part of Good Housekeeping's 13-day Japan tour.

EXPLORE KOYASAN ON A JAPAN TOUR

KOYASAN HOTELS

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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• Trivia Marisa Abela did all the singing in this film herself. She trained extensively to mimic Amy Winehouse 's vocals.

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What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, Find My network accessory, or set of AirPods is with you

AirTag lets you easily track things like your keys, wallet, purse, backpack, luggage, and more. Simply set it up with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and attach it to your item, and your AirTag shows up in the Items tab in the Find My app.

AirTag and devices that are part of the Find My network accessory program , and some AirPod models—AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max—use the Find My network to help you keep track of and find your belongings.* After you set up a compatible item, it shows up in the Devices or Items tab in the Find My app.

AirTag, AirPods, and other Find My network accessories include features to guard against unwanted tracking. They should not be used to track people, and should not be used to track property that does not belong to you. Using these products to track people without their consent is a crime in many countries and regions around the world. If an AirTag, set of AirPods, or Find My network accessory is discovered to be unlawfully tracking a person, law enforcement can request any available information from Apple to support their investigation.

AirTag, AirPods, and Find My network accessories are designed to protect your privacy when you're using them to keep track of important items. They have unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently. The Find My network uses end-to-end encryption and is built with privacy in mind.

Learn more about Find My and Privacy

Unwanted tracking

If any AirTag, AirPods, or other Find My network accessory separated from its owner is seen moving with you over time, you'll be notified in one of two ways. These features were created specifically to discourage people from trying to track you without your knowledge.

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, Find My will send a notification to your Apple device. This feature is available on iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later. To receive alerts, make sure that you:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, and turn Location Services on.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services. Turn Find My iPhone on.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services. Turn Significant Locations on to be notified when you arrive at a significant location, such as your home.

Go to Settings > Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on.

Go to the Find My app, tap the Me tab, and turn Tracking Notifications on.

Turn off airplane mode. If your device is in airplane mode, you won't receive tracking notifications.

An AirTag, AirPods Pro (2nd generation) charging case, or Find My network accessory that isn't with its owner for a period of time will emit a sound when it's moved.

If you detect an unknown AirTag, Find My network accessory, or AirPods, use the steps below to learn about it, find it, and disable it. If you're using an Android device, you can download the Tracker Detect app to find an AirTag or Find My network accessory that's separated from its owner and might be traveling with you.

If you see an alert

If you see one of the following alerts on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, an item compatible with the Find My network could be traveling with you, and the owner might be able to see its location. This could be an AirTag, AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or a Find My network accessory from manufacturers other than Apple .

It's possible that the AirTag or Find My network accessory might be attached to an item you're borrowing, or you might get this alert if you’re borrowing someone else’s AirPods. If you're borrowing an AirTag or another item compatible with the Find My network from a member of your Family Sharing group, you can turn off alerts for that item for one day, or indefinitely.

If an AirTag that's separated from its owner is seen moving with you over time, or if your iPhone is awake and an AirTag that isn't with its owner for a period of time emits a sound to indicate that it has moved, this alert is displayed: AirTag Found Moving With You.

Find My displays a map of where the AirTag, Find My network accessory, or set of AirPods has been observed with you. The red dots show where the unknown item was detected near your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The dashed lines connecting the red dots help indicate the sequence where the item was detected with you. The red dots do not indicate when the item's owner is viewing the item's location.

If AirPods that are separated from their owner are seen moving with you over time, one of these alerts is displayed: AirPods Detected, AirPods Pro Detected, or AirPods Max Detected.

If a Find My network accessory that's separated from its owner is seen moving with you over time, this alert is displayed: "Product Name" Detected (where "Product Name" is the name of the Find My network accessory that has been detected).

If AirPods or a Find My network accessory is detected but the Find My app has issues connecting to them or to the server at that time, this alert is displayed: Unknown Accessory Detected. This alert will display only if a set of AirPods or a Find My network accessory is detected near you, not an AirTag. These could be borrowed AirPods, or AirPods inadvertently left behind by a friend or family member.

Find the unknown AirTag, AirPods, or Find My network accessory

If you get an alert that an AirTag, AirPods, or another Find My network accessory is traveling with you, follow these steps to find it. First, check on the Find My app if you're able to play a sound on the unknown accessory:

Tap the alert.

Tap Continue and then tap Play Sound.

Listen for the sound. You can play it again if you need more time to find the item.

If the option to play a sound isn't available, the item might not be with you anymore. Or if it was with you overnight, its identifier might have changed. Find My uses the identifier to determine that it's the same item moving with you. If the item is within range of its owner, you also won't be able to play a sound.

If the unknown accessory is an AirTag and you have a supported iPhone model with Ultra Wideband , you can also tap Find Nearby to use Precision Finding to help you locate the unknown AirTag.

Tap Continue, then tap Find Nearby.

Follow the onscreen instructions and move around the space until your iPhone connects to the unknown AirTag.

Your iPhone displays the distance and direction to the unknown AirTag. Use that information to get closer to the unknown AirTag until you find it.

If the option to play a sound isn't available or you're unable to hear the sound, or if you can't locate the item with Precision Finding, and you believe the item is still with you, look through your belongings to try to find it. Check on your person, or in anything in your possession that could contain this device. It could be in an item that you don’t check often, like a jacket pocket, the outer compartment of a bag, or your vehicle. If you can't find the device and if you feel your safety is at risk, go to a safe public location and contact law enforcement.

If you hear an AirTag emitting a sound

To alert people nearby, any AirTag separated for a period of time from its owner will emit a sound when it's moved. If you find an AirTag after hearing it make a sound, you can use any device that has NFC, such as an iPhone or Android phone, to see if its owner marked it as lost and if you can help return it. If you feel that this AirTag or Find My network accessory might be tracking people without their consent, you can get instructions on how to disable it.

Get information about or disable an AirTag, Find My network accessory, or set of AirPods

If you have found an unknown AirTag, you can follow these steps to see information about it, or to disable it:

If you have found an AirTag, hold the top of your iPhone or NFC-capable smartphone near the white side of the AirTag until a notification appears.

Tap the notification. This opens a website that provides information about the AirTag, including its serial number and the last four digits of the phone number of the person who registered it. This can help you identify the owner, if you know them. You might want to take a screenshot to make sure that you can document the information.

If the owner marked the AirTag as lost, you might see a message with information about how to contact the owner.

To learn more about a set of AirPods, or Find My network accessory that’s been separated from its owner, scroll to the bottom of the Items tab, then tap Identify Found Item.

If you need to see a list of all AirTag and Find My Network accessories about which you have been notified, launch the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Tap Items. Scroll to the bottom and tap Items Detected With You. Items that have recently triggered an unwanted tracking alert will be listed. If the option to play a sound isn't available, the item might not be with you anymore, might be near its owner, or if it was with you overnight, its identifier might have changed.

To disable the AirTag, AirPods, or Find My network accessory and stop it from sharing its location, tap Instructions to Disable and follow the onscreen steps. After the AirTag, AirPods, or Find My network accessory is disabled, the owner can no longer get updates on its current location. You will also no longer receive any unwanted tracking alerts for this item.

If you feel your safety is at risk, contact your local law enforcement, who can work with Apple to request information related to the item . You might need to provide the AirTag, AirPods, Find My network accessory, and the device's serial number.

Disabling the Find My network on your device, turning off Bluetooth, or turning off Location Services on your iPhone will not prevent the owner of the AirTag, AirPods, or Find My network accessory from being able to see the location of that AirTag or accessory. You must disable the item by following the instructions above.

Check for nearby AirTag or Find My network accessories with an Android device

If you use an Android device, you can download the Tracker Detect app from the Google Play Store. Tracker Detect looks for item trackers within Bluetooth range that are separated from their owner and that are compatible with Apple's Find My network. These include AirTag and compatible item trackers that use the Find My network. If you think someone is using an AirTag or another item tracker to track your location, you can scan to try to find it. If the app detects an AirTag or compatible item tracker near you for at least 10 minutes, you can play a sound to help find it.

Go to Google Play to download the Tracker Detect app

Additional resources

If you feel that your safety is at risk, these additional resources might be helpful:

In the United States: The Safety Net Project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Center for Victims of Crime

In the United Kingdom: Refuge UK

In Australia: WESNET Safety Net Australia

* The Find My network isn't supported in South Korea.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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The Lyrids begin this week. How to see first major meteor shower of spring when it peaks

While the april 8 eclipse was only viewable in north america, the lyrids should be visible pretty much around the world..

A week after that stunning total solar eclipse , the Lyrid meteor shower is about to give sky-gazers plenty of reasons to once again look toward the cosmos.

One of the oldest-known meteor showers  on record, the Lyrids has peaked like clockwork every late April for thousands of years. And while that peak won't be occurring until Saturday, you still have a chance to see the soaring meteors beginning Monday.

The best part? While the April 8 eclipse was only viewable in North America, the Lyrids should be visible pretty much around the world .

Here's what to know about the Lyrid meteor shower .

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Where do the Lyrid meteors come from?

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris trails left by comets and other space objects. The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA .

Those resulting fireballs, better known as "shooting stars," are meteors. Those meteoroids that survive their trip to Earth without burning up in the atmosphere are called meteorites, NASA says .

Named for the nearby constellation Lyra, the Lyrid meteor shower is composed of pieces of debris  from the Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher . The comet is named for A. E. Thatcher, who discovered it in 1861.

The meteor shower itself, though, has been observed for 2,700 years ever since the first recorded sighting was made in 687 BC by the Chinese, according to NASA .

How can we see the Lyrid meteor shower?

The Lyrids are known as one of  four major meteor showers each year  that have a sharp peak. This year, that peak falls between April 21-22,  according to EarthSky.org .

However, the meteor shower could be visible anytime beginning Monday.

According to NASA, the best view in the Northern Hemisphere of the shower is after moonset and before dawn.

Here are tips from the U.S. space agency:

• Pick an area well away from city lights or street lights.
• Bring a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair.
• Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up.
• Be patient. About 30 minutes in the dark your eyes should adapt and you should begin to see meteors.

How many Lyrids will we see per hour?

The first meteor shower of the spring , the fast and bright meteors of the Lyrids will appear to be flying across the night sky.

While  NASA notes  that the Lyrids can surprise watchers with as many as 100 meteors seen per hour, in general, 10-20 Lyrid meteors can be seen per hour during the peak.

Lyrids don’t tend to leave long, glowing dust trains behind them as they streak through the Earth's atmosphere. However, they can produce the occasional bright flash called a fireball.