The best apps in Japan for students

Student life abroad can be tough to manage. 

You’ve got a new language to learn, social needs that demand attention, and perhaps a bank account teetering on the edge, despite your best efforts. And, of course, don’t forget finding the time and energy to explore this new and lovely country you’ve invested so much blood, sweat, tears, and love in.

To help deal with all the trials of being a student abroad, we’ve come up with this list of the best apps in Japan for students.

Lifestyle & daily life apps in Japan

Try these apps for staying social, getting around, and getting settled in Japan.

LINE

If you’re interested in any kind of social life, you’re going to need LINE. Pretty much everybody in Japan uses this messaging app.

So, it’s the best app in Japan to keep in touch with anyone you meet. Download it to stay connected with your new friends, and have fun with the wealth of cute, funny stickers as an added bonus.

Mercari

Mercari is a secondhand marketplace app in Japan. It looks a bit like Craigslist with an Etsy-style facelift. Cash can be tight when you’re first settling in, so check out their listings for great deals on everything from kitchenware to Funko bobbleheads.

Keep in mind you’ll be talking with locals so you’ll need to know a bit of Japanese. Please also note that you will need a Japanese phone number, address, and bank account as well.

Yahoo!フリマ

Yahoo!フリマ is Yahoo Japan’s secondhand marketplace app, similar to Mercari. It’s a great place to find everyday items at affordable prices, like clothing and home goods. One thing to note though — you’ll often be communicating with sellers directly, so a little Japanese knowledge will help you get the best deals.

ジモティー (Jimoty)

ジモティー is another secondhand marketplace app, but it has a more local, community-based feel. Many listings are for low-cost or free items, especially bulky things like furniture that people want to give away quickly. It’s a great way to save money and connect with locals, though you’ll also need some Japanese to navigate the app.

GO

GO is the number one taxi app in Japan. It’s an absolute lifesaver if you miss your train or lose your way. Just download the app, type in your destination, and call a taxi to your current location. It would help to know some basic Japanese to navigate the app, but it is not completely necessary.

Hot Pepper Beauty

Hot Pepper Beauty is Japan’s go-to app for booking haircuts, salon treatments, massages, and more. You can browse reviews, compare prices, and often find special discounts for first-time customers. It’s used by most, so you’ll have no trouble finding options near you.

さんあーる (Sanar)

さんあーる is a very practical app that sends reminders about garbage collection days in your area. It also helps you understand Japan’s confusing rules on separating and disposing of burnable garbage, different types of recycling, unburnable garbage, and more. Think of it as a lifehack for newcomers trying to adjust to daily life in Japan.

Meetup

Meetup connects you with local communities and events based on your interests. There’s a large variety of events, both in-person and online. These include language exchanges, table tennis games, hiking groups, and more. It’s one of the best ways to meet people outside of school or work and is especially useful for international students looking to expand their social circles.

Ponta

Ponta is a popular point card app that lets you collect and redeem points at convenience stores, restaurants, and drugstores across Japan. All you have to do is show your barcode at checkout to earn rewards on everyday purchases. Over time, these points can add up to big savings!

Payke

Payke is designed with tourists and international residents in mind. Simply scan a product’s barcode and the app will describe the item scanned in detail, with descriptions available in multiple languages. It’s especially handy when shopping for skincare, cosmetics, or medicine.

E-plus & AnyPASS

E-plus and AnyPASS are essential apps for concertgoers in Japan. They make it easy to buy tickets for concerts, theater, and other live events, while also handling digital entry at venues. With them, you’ll never miss out on your favorite artist’s performance in Japan.

Mynaportal

Mynaportal is a government-run app that streamlines many important administrative tasks. You can use it for taxes, pension matters, and other official documents without visiting the ward office in person. It saves time and keeps all your bureaucratic needs in one place, which is quite the feat in Japan!

HOME’S & SUUMO

HOME’S and SUUMO are two of the biggest apartment-hunting apps in Japan. You can search by location, budget, and amenities to find your next home, whether it’s a small one-person apartment or a long-term rental. Both apps are packed with listings and photos to help you compare options.

Map & navigation apps in Japan

Never get lost again with these apps in Japan.

Google Maps

Google Maps is one of the most convenient map apps to use around the world — and Japan is no exception. The functionality is great and includes trains with detailed stop listings, navigation options by car, on foot, or by bicycle, and a comprehensive search function for bars and restaurants anywhere in Japan. The accuracy is impressive, considering how complex the streets can be. 

Google Maps can act as inspo for exploring a new area, provide you with reviews for different establishments, or merely help you find your way home if you get lost. It is one of the top contenders for making life easier in Japan. However, do note that recently, Google Maps has been malfunctioning more in Tokyo and making it harder to find your way around.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps is a solid alternative to Google Maps, especially for iPhone users. It covers driving, walking, cycling, and public transportation routes across Japan, with clean visuals and smooth integration into other Apple products. While its train details aren’t always as comprehensive as Google Maps, it’s reliable for everyday navigation and pairs perfectly with Apple Pay and Wallet for a seamless travel experience.

Japan Transit Planner

Japan Transit Planner is one of the most reliable apps for navigating Japan’s complex train system. It helps you plan routes across different rail companies, compare travel times, and check ticket prices. Available on both the App Store and Google Play, it’s a must-have for stress-free travel.

Suica

The Suica app lets you keep a virtual Suica card on your phone, so you don’t need a physical IC card anymore. You can load it easily through the app and use it for transportation, restaurants, convenience stores, and even some vending machines. It’s an essential tool for smooth, cashless travel in Japan.

EXアプリ (EX App)

The EX App is the official shinkansen booking app. It allows you to reserve seats, manage tickets, and often get discounts if you book early. For frequent shinkansen riders, it’s a game changer that saves both time and money.

Luup

Luup is Japan’s shared mobility app for e-bikes and e-scooters. You can pick one up at a designated spot, ride it to your destination, and drop it off at another Luup port. It’s a fun, eco-friendly, and convenient way to explore cities without relying on public transportation or taxis.

Money & payment apps in Japan

Manage money simply with these apps in Japan that help you go cashless. At Go! Go! Nihon, Wise and Xe are actually two services that we recommend to our students.

PayPay

PayPay is a fantastic and convenient way to go cashless in Japan and functions like a prepaid card on a smartphone app. You can use it anywhere that accepts it (look for a red P symbol in stores). To use it, simply scan a barcode with your app or allow a cashier to scan yours. You’ll need to know some Japanese to use PayPay.

Top up at ATMs in convenience stores, from your bank account, or by credit card.

Apple Wallet

Apple Wallet works seamlessly in Japan when paired with Suica or your credit cards. With it, you can tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at station gates, vending machines, and stores that accept touch payments. It’s a convenient way to keep all your payment methods in one place.

Google Wallet

Google Wallet is another secure digital wallet that stores tickets, passes, keys, loyalty cards, IDs, and more. Simply download the app, and to pay, tap your phone to a reader wherever Google Pay is accepted.

Wise

Wise is an awesome tool for managing your money while you live and travel in Japan. It’s an international account that works all over the world.

The app’s wallet lets you hold money in all kinds of different currencies, transfer to and from your Japanese bank, and use funds anywhere like a normal debit card. The exchange rate has no hidden fees either, so it’s an ultra-convenient and thrifty option. Apply for a Wise account and download the app to try it.

Xe

Xe is a world leader in currency services and products, including money transfers, live currency exchanges, and market analysis. It is also fully regulated wherever it operates and keeps things affordable, so sending money and tracking exchange rates is simple, fast, and secure. Get started with Xe here.

Food & dining apps in Japan

Make cooking easier or find your next favorite date spot with these handy food apps in Japan.

Cookpad & Kurashiru (クラシル)

One culture shock you might not expect is how different grocery stores in Japan can be from those back home. Japanese groceries are full of fresh goods and yummy stuff, but your favorite ingredients might be hard to find. Enter: Cookpad and Kurashiru to save the day.

Cookpad is a recipe sharing app (in Japanese and English) where people share their different recipes and provide you with new and exciting meal ideas. And Kurashiru (in Japanese) can help you find new recipes by ingredients.

Tabelog

If you need a break from cooking and want to sample one of Japan’s incredible restaurants, Tabelog is a must. This app in Japan offers restaurant reviews that visitors and locals alike trust.

The detailed search lets you find eateries by type, menu item, price, or even your purpose for eating out. Find the perfect place, whatever the occasion.

Hot Pepper Gourmet

Hot Pepper Gourmet is one of Japan’s most popular restaurant search and booking apps. You can browse reviews, filter by cuisine, budget, or location, and often find exclusive coupons and discounts. It’s a great tool for discovering all kinds of new places to eat, thanks to the many reviews left by Japanese diners.

Uber Eats & Wolt

Uber Eats and Wolt are two of the most popular food delivery apps in Japan. Both let you order from a wide range of restaurants — from fast food to local favorites — and have meals delivered straight to your door. Uber Eats is available in more cities, while Wolt is known for its sleek design, reliable service, and great selection of trendy spots. It is not uncommon to see your delivery driver working for both companies.

Halal Gourmet Japan

Halal Gourmet Japan is a specialized restaurant search app for Muslim-friendly dining. It helps you find halal-certified restaurants, prayer spaces, and even stores selling halal ingredients across Japan. With English support, it’s an essential app for both Muslim residents and visitors, as well as anyone else who doesn’t eat pork.

Emergency & safety apps

Although Japan is a country that’s home to many natural disasters, it’s also one of the safest places to be during an earthquake. The country is incredibly prepared, as evidenced by these emergency and safety apps in Japan.

NERV

The NERV Disaster Prevention app delivers real-time alerts for a whole host of natural disasters and severe weather risks tailored to your location. It aims to provide comprehensive disaster and weather information all in one app.

Yurekuru

The Yurekuru app is an emergency earthquake alert app for smartphones and tablets. It warns you seconds before strong tremors hit, showing a countdown with key details like magnitude, epicenter, and estimated intensity. You’ll also get clear safety messages so you can act quickly and stay protected.

Safety Tips

Safety Tips is a government-recommended app designed for tourists, students, and residents in Japan. It provides multilingual alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and medical emergencies, along with clear instructions on what to do.

Yahoo!天気 (Yahoo! Weather)

Yahoo!天気 is one of Japan’s most trusted weather apps. It offers detailed forecasts, including a live precipitation radar map that shows when and where the rain will stop. With its accuracy and easy-to-read visuals, it’s a favorite among locals.

頭痛ーる (Zutsuu-ru)

頭痛ーる is a unique app that forecasts headaches linked to changes in air pressure and weather. It alerts you in advance so you can take medication, hydrate, or adjust your schedule accordingly. Many people in Japan swear by it as a daily health companion.

News & learning apps

Keep up with your Japanese language learning and your knowledge of the news via these readable apps in Japan.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN

NHK WORLD-JAPAN is the international service of Japan’s public broadcaster, offering news and programs in English. The app covers breaking news, in-depth features, and live TV streaming, making it easy to follow Japan-related updates wherever you are. It’s a reliable source for accurate, Japan-focused news in English.

やさしい日本語 (Easy Japanese News)

This app delivers news written in “easy Japanese,” with furigana added to help learners read kanji. It’s perfect for Japanese language students who want to practice while keeping up with current events. Accessible and practical, it turns daily news into a study tool.

Ground News

Ground News compares how different media outlets cover the same story, helping you spot bias and gain a more balanced perspective. You can filter for Japan-related content, making it useful for those who want to stay globally informed but focused on Japan.

Shirabe Jisho (iOS only)

Shirabe Jisho is a highly praised Japanese-English dictionary app, particularly for offline use. It’s fast, accurate, and packed with features for looking up kanji, compounds, and example sentences. Many consider it the best free dictionary app for iPhone users.

マガポケ (Manga Pocket)

マガポケ is a manga-reading app offering free access to popular titles in Japanese. It also has an English version (マガポケ英語版) for learners or international fans who want to enjoy manga in their own language. With a wide variety of genres, it’s a fun way to relax while practicing Japanese reading skills.

Use these apps in Japan as a student

You’ve got the tools, now live the dream! Visit our FAQ to see how you can experience life as a student in Japan.

If you’d like to learn more about student life in Japan check out our blog for more on Japanese life, language, and culture.