{"id":59672,"date":"2026-06-10T20:52:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T12:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=59672"},"modified":"2026-06-10T20:52:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T12:52:00","slug":"japan-travel-essential-tech-tips-for-your-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=59672","title":{"rendered":"Japan travel: Essential tech tips for your holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Note: <\/i><\/b>This guide was first published on 29 November 2023 and was updated on 26 December 2023 and then on 9 September 2024 with more tips on how to get around Japan. The tips and recommendations are still valid.<\/i><\/p>\n

If you last visited Japan before the COVID-19 pandemic, you might be surprised by how much the country has changed thanks to the pandemic stoking the need for digitisation in a typically slow-to-change country. Here are some tech tips that can help you travel more conveniently around Japan, whether it\u2019s your first time or if you\u2019re a seasoned traveller.<\/p>\n

1. Finding your way with Google Maps<\/h3>\n
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\"Reviews<\/p>\n
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Reviews in other languages are automatically translated.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Easy<\/p>\n
\n

Easy enough to find restaurants and eateries.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Let\u2019s start off with something that\u2019s essential to every traveller\u00a0and that\u2019s getting around. The best map app to use for most tourists is\u00a0Google Maps<\/b>. Not only does it have precise instructions for public transport, including which train carriage to board for the fastest transfer times and which platforms you should be waiting on, but the app also has a clearer system of labelling shops and restaurants.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Note<\/p>\n
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Note the detailed directions for exiting the station.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Note<\/p>\n
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Note the helpful notice that the train becomes local.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Take my favourite gyoza shop in Ebisu, for example, which shows up perfectly on Google Maps, with the app also offering auto-translation of reviews in different languages, which is super handy. I\u2019ve also found plenty of great restaurants and izakayas just by doing a quick scan of the available listings in an area from Google Maps.<\/p>\n

\"Google
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Google Maps clearly marks toll and non-toll roads.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Apple Maps is another option<\/b>, and I\u2019ve found that the directions provided on Apple Maps can be slightly more detailed, particularly when it comes to how to find specific exits in large, confusing Japanese subway stations.<\/p>\n

For those of you who might be driving, both apps also indicate clearly which routes include tolls, and offer alternative routes that don\u2019t have tolls, so that\u2019s a good feature to try and avoid toll fees, which can add up very quickly.<\/p>\n

2. Car rentals for exploring outside the cities<\/h3>\n
\"Rental
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Japan is more than just Tokyo and Osaka, and renting a car is arguably the best way to get around outside the cities.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There is a lot more to Japan than its seemingly neverending sprawling cities. A 90-minute drive from Tokyo brings you to scenic Kawaguchiko where you are offered stunning views of Mount Fuji, and the Japanese Alps are one of the best places anywhere in the world to visit for snowy landscapes. And if you do intend to head out of the city, the best way to do it is in a rental car, because public transport network can be sparse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Driving in Japan is relatively easy because the country drives on the left<\/b> \u2013 just like us. Furthermore, the navigation apps mentioned above work well in Japan and it helps that Japanese drivers are generally polite and patient. Most rental companies are also happy to let you drop the car off at a different location, which means you can use it as a way to get from city to city while stopping at places in between. This could be more economical, especially given the recent hike in JR Pass prices.<\/p>\n

\"Toyota
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Toyota Rent a Car has a wonderful selection of Toyota cars available.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are a couple of reputable car rental companies from which to rent a car from. The most popular is arguably Toyota Rent a Car<\/b>, which has an extensive network of shops and an excellent lineup of cars ranging from compact hatchbacks like the Yaris to large MPVs like the Alphard. I\u2019ve used them a few times and found them to be reliable and the rental process to be mostly pleasant. However, given the popularity of Japan as a travel destination, I\u2019d recommend that you make your booking as early as possible. One thing that\u2019s worth noting is that the Japanese portal lets you make bookings up to six months in advance, whereas the international portal\u00a0only lets you book up three months in advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other rental companies that I\u2019ve heard good things about from other users are Nissan Rent A Car<\/b> \u00a0and Nippon Rent-A-Car<\/b>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Car enthusiasts looking to fulfil their dreams of driving a Nissan R34 GT-R on the Tokyo wangan, should definitely check out Omoren<\/b>, which specialises in sports cars. Not only do they have an R34 GT-R (in Bayside Blue, no less) in their fleet, they also have other desirable Japanese classics like the Nissan R35 GT-R and Mazda FD3S RX-7, and newer metal like the new Toyota GR 86, and Honda FL5 Civic Type-R. They also have German models like a BMW E90 M3 and Porsche Boxster.<\/p>\n

3. Getting\u00a0a taxi with Uber<\/h3>\n
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\"Using<\/p>\n
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Using Uber in Tokyo.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"You<\/p>\n
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You can get food in Tokyo using Uber Eats.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Moving on, if you\u2019re more of a taxi person, there are two main options. Our recommendation would be to download Uber<\/b>\u00a0because you\u2019ll be able to use it with a Singapore number. A point to note is that, due to the country\u2019s regulations, you will only see licensed taxi drivers through ride-hailing apps in the larger cities. However, you might see private cars in the smaller towns where there might not be enough taxis. An added bonus is that the Uber app also supports Uber Eats in some cities, so if you\u2019re feeling peckish at night, you\u2019ll be able to get food delivered through the same app so you can enjoy it in the comfort of your hotel.<\/p>\n

However, one thing to note is that Uber doesn\u2019t work in every city in Japan<\/b>. Be sure to double-check if the city you\u2019re heading to is on Uber\u2019s list or not. If you\u2019re headed to somewhere like Hokkaido or Nagasaki, your best bet would be to download DiDi<\/b>, a ride-hailing app that originated from China and has now expanded into Japan, as Uber hasn\u2019t yet entered those areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The other option would be GO<\/b>, which is one of the most popular taxi-hailing apps in Japan. The app has finally allowed accounts to be registered without the need for a local Japanese number as of November 2023, so tourists can now use their own phone numbers to sign up for an account.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That said, these apps aren’t the only way to get a taxi in Japan, you could simply try to flag one down on the road. This can be the better way especially if you are in a rush since Uber and GO can occasionally take a while to assign a taxi to you.\u00a0Don’t worry about telling the driver your desintation, you can simply show them the address on your phone using\u00a0Google Maps or Apple Maps.<\/p>\n

4. Reduce language barriers with Google Translate<\/h3>\n
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\"Google<\/p>\n
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Google Translate in action.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n
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Google Translate in action.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Speaking of which, communication in Japan can be as easy or as hard as you make it. Learning a few easy, everyday phrases definitely goes a long way, but if not, there\u2019s always technology to the rescue. Google Translate <\/b>has to be one of the apps I pull up most often while I\u2019m in Japan, whether it\u2019s to communicate with the locals or just to read signs and menus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There are three important features in the app to take note of<\/b>. First is the normal translating feature, where you can type in English or your preferred language and get it translated. You can also use the microphone to record and translate something someone is saying to you. This works well if you\u2019re asking simple questions that don\u2019t require follow-up clarifications or just translating a reply and the like.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Conversation
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Conversation mode.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you need to have a longer conversation, that\u2019s where the Conversation feature<\/b> comes in. When in this mode, you can set the phone to constantly be listening for speech so it automatically translates when one person speaks. It\u2019s a bit of a slow process since you have to speak, wait for it to translate and then the app will recite the translated phrase out loud, but it\u2019s certainly much faster than typing your question, and passing your phone to the other person for them to type their reply. Our tip here would be to make sure to leave some space between when each person starts talking, or the app can get a little confused and cut off the start.<\/p>\n

Lastly, the Camera function<\/b> is a lifesaver for when you visit restaurants that don\u2019t have English menus available or if you just need to find out what a sign says. Simply turn it on, point it at the page and snap a shot. The app will translate what\u2019s on the page into English and you\u2019ll be able to actually know what you\u2019re ordering!\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Some<\/p>\n
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Some odd translations here and there.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Still<\/p>\n
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Still very understandable, however.<\/p>\n

Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Keep in mind that the translations may\u00a0not always be 100% accurate<\/b> because the words might be shortened, abbreviated, or might have other meanings. That said,\u00a0I\u2019ve found them to always be useful in giving me a rough approximation of what a dish or drink is. Of course, it goes withotu saying that you should also make sure you\u2019re taking a good, clear photo for the best results as well.<\/p>\n

5. Suica and cashless payments<\/h3>\n
\"Credit:
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Credit: Tobu Railway<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Japan, there\u2019s something called the\u00a0Integrated Circuit (IC) card<\/b>, which is more commonly referred to simply as Suica<\/b>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

First, a quick primer on what this card is. Essentially, it’s similar to our own EZ-Link card but it can be used for more than just transport. In Japan, it can be used to pay for almost everything<\/b>, from meals in restaurants and taxi rides, to clothes in department stores and snacks in convenience stores. Furthermore, while each region has their own IC card, these cards can often work nationwide (most of the time). So a Suica IC card might be native to the Tokyo area, but it can be used even in Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Suica<\/picture>