Compared to a decade or so ago, Japan has certainly become a lot 'easier' to travel around. There's a plethora of internet connection options, new apps and multilingual information helping out tourists traipsing around this lovely country.
But sometimes, rather than downloading the entire lineup of apps, you just want everything in one place. That's where the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) comes in with a brand-spanking new travel app. The rather plainly named Japan Official Travel App was originally set for a June release, but was finally launched on September 21 – with a little help from us here at Time Out Tokyo.
Everything in the app is divided into easy-to-use categories for you to search, such as Tourist Spots, Tax Free, Tourist Information, Baggage Storage, Free Wi-Fi, Station, ATM, Emergency Information and Hospitals (let's hope you won't need those last two), many of which are available offline too.
Content-wise, the app is a truly collaborative effort, with JNTO, AllBound and yours truly teaming up to provide information on the best sightseeing spots, while the culinary content comes courtesy of local service Gurunavi. To top it all off, Navitime's maps and navigation systems have been integrated as well. All articles are set to be available in English, Korean and both simplified and traditional Chinese.
In terms of navigation, getting around the country without knowing any Japanese has never been easier. The Route function will give you all the info needed to make it from A to B, including station numbers and interchange information in the language of your choice. There's also a search function for the best options for Japan Rail Pass holders.
And of course, you'll be able to look for the best spots around you based on your current location – perfect if you really need an ATM, want to slurp some noodles or just have to use the toilet. Travel away!
See full details for the Japan Official Travel App here