tourism in japan is booming, and you may be considering traveling. Before you leave, you'll probably create a thorough packing list of every essential item you'll need for a spontaneous adventure.
But to be really prepared, I think you should also consider writing a digital packing list. And no, I'm not just talking about downloading tons wired podcast To stream on the plane. If you take the time to download the necessary apps before you go, you'll spend less time carrying your smart fone After arriving more time was spent exploring the country.
These picks for useful smartphone apps are based on my travel experience Went to Tokyo and Osaka in early November, where I used the iPhone 12 as my primary device. Think of this roundup as a helpful starting point for getting your device digitally ready. Also, many of these smartphone apps are not exclusive to Japan and will be helpful for exploring other countries as well. Also, consider packing a pair power bank In your day bag to ensure you're never left a hotel room with a dead battery.
an active eSIM
Before your trip to Japan, Setting up an eSIM This is probably the most important piece of digital preparation you can do on your phone. Without a connection to the Internet, very few other apps on this list will work at all. Do this before you go. Imagine you're arriving in Japan and discover that your phone is not unlocked for eSIM access – contacting your carrier to fix the situation will likely be a big headache and a waste of time.
Before leaving San Francisco on my flight, I went through the entire setup process except for the final activation. As soon as we landed at Narita, I was able to connect online while waiting on the tarmac for other passengers to collect their luggage from the overhead compartment. Landing in a new country, especially for the first time, can be quite disorienting, and fast internet connections mean I have instant access to any important information I need.
I have purchased eSIM from Airalo app (Android, iOS) a few times and have been satisfied with the quality of the connection. A quick search in the App Store will show you plenty of competing apps, too. I got a package from Airlo with 20GB of data for $26, and it was actually more than I needed. After seven days of actively scrolling and navigating across the country on my phone, more than half the data was still left.
digital suica card
A suica card It can be used to board many (but not all) public transportation options in Japan, and the digital wallet version is worth checking out. Unfortunately, this option is only accessible to passengers with an iPhone. Therefore, unless you purchased the phone in Japan, it is not possible to use the digital option on Android. But no worries, go ahead and skip a paragraph on the physical “Welcome Suica” option to prepare for riding the trains.
If you're taking an iPhone with you to Japan, you can add a Suica card to the smartphone wallet by preloading it with a little money to save time while you're at home. Although its primary purpose is for use at fare gates and boarding zones for transit, it can be used to pay for things beyond transportation. More stores accept this form of digital payment than you might expect. During a few late-night snack runs, I used tap-to-pay with cards at convenience stores like FamilyMart and Lawson. While walking around the Akihabara ward with the bright billboards, I also used the digital card to play games in the mega-arcade – even won one mario ghost Plush in a claw machine after a few tries.
Are you using an Android device or not? digital walletI also tried it Welcome to Suika CardThis is a physical option designed for tourists, and the card is valid for about a month. You can buy them at kiosks in airports and elsewhere. Especially considering how rushed I feel getting in and out of train turnstiles, I preferred to hold the small card in my hand rather than tap the phone.