Essential Apps to Have While Interning in Japan!
Living in Japan as an intern can be a mix of exciting and kind of overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time abroad. Figuring out train lines, ordering food, getting through daily errands, or even just chatting with coworkers takes a bit of getting used to. But the good thing is that Japan is a highly connected country, and there are plenty of apps that can make day-to-day life way easier.
No matter if you’re staying for a few months or planning a longer internship experience in Japan, having the right apps on your phone can save you a ton of time, help you feel more settled, and make unfamiliar situations a lot less stressful.
So before you land, or even if you’re already here, take a minute to get your phone set up with some essentials. These apps will help you get through daily life in Japan without feeling totally lost!
🚇 Getting Around
Moving around Japan, especially in Tokyo and other major cities, relies heavily on public transport. With a bit of digital help, commuting to your internship or exploring new neighborhoods becomes a lot simpler. Here are the must-have apps to make your journey easier:
Google Maps
Chances are, you’ve already got this one on your phone! In Japan, it gives you up-to-date train times and updates, platform info, and even tells you which train car to hop on for the quickest exits or transfers; super useful when you’re still learning your way around. You can also save maps to use offline, perfect for getting around without needing Wi-Fi or burning through your mobile data.
Japan Travel by NAVITIME
This one’s great for planning trips around Japan, especially if you’re heading outside your usual commute. You can search routes, including ones covered by the JR Pass, read travel tips and guides, download maps to use offline, and even build your own itinerary right in the app. Super handy if you’re planning to explore on weekends or take a few day trips during your time here!
Transit / Moovit
These apps are especially helpful for navigating local buses and other public transport options that might not always show up on standard map apps, giving you more flexibility when moving around.
S.Ride / GO
Japan’s answer to Uber. These apps are simple to use and widely used in major cities, and they allow you to get a taxi, check the estimated fare, and pay through the app, perfect for rainy days or late-night rides home after a festival or company dinner!
💡 Bonus Tip: You can add Suica or PASMO (Japan’s rechargeable transport IC cards) directly to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Once added, you can tap your phone at train gates, vending machines, and convenience stores, no need to bother about topping up or carrying a physical card!
🗣️ Communication and Language Help
Language can be one of the trickier parts of interning in Japan, especially if you’re still learning the basics. But with the right apps, getting through daily tasks and workplace conversations turns into something you can handle with confidence!
Google Translate
A must-have for quick translations on the go. You can type, speak, or even take photos of text (like menus or signs) and get instant translations. It’s not perfect, but it’s incredibly useful in a pinch, especially when traveling or ordering food.
Papago
Google Translate does the job most of the time, but Papago tends to be more accurate when it comes to Asian languages like Japanese and Korean. It handles full sentences more naturally, and the voice and handwriting input tools are really easy to use.
Jisho / Takoboto
If you’re learning Japanese or just want to understand a specific word or kanji, both Jisho and Takoboto are fantastic tools. You can search in English, Japanese, or even draw kanji to identify them. Takoboto also includes basic grammar explanations, which makes it especially useful for learners building a foundation.
LINE
This is Japan’s go-to messaging app, it supports texting, voice and video calls, group chats, and file sharing. If you’re doing an internship in Japan, there’s a good chance your company or new friends will expect you to use LINE, so it’s one of the first apps you’ll want to download!
🍜 Food and Dining
Eating out in Japan can be one of the best parts of interning here but with so many options, choosing where to eat isn’t always so easy! These apps can help you discover great spots or enjoy a quiet meal at home when you don’t feel like cooking or just want to skip the hassle of going out.
Tabelog
This is Japan’s go-to app for restaurant reviews and one of the most reliable tools for finding places to eat. It ranks restaurants by cuisine and area, features user reviews and photos, and even lets you make reservations at many spots directly through the site. There’s an English version of the website, which is helpful if you don’t speak Japanese, though the app is only available on the Japanese app stores.
Uber Eats / Wolt
Both apps are popular in Japan’s larger cities for food delivery. You’ll find everything from local shops to major chain restaurants. Wolt is often praised for its easy interface and reliable delivery, while Uber Eats has a broader selection in urban areas. Both are perfect for those busy internship days when you’re too tired to cook.
HappyCow
Japan can be tricky for vegetarians and vegans, but HappyCow makes it easier. It lists vegetarian/vegan-friendly restaurants, cafes, and stores across the country, ideal for those with dietary restrictions.
🛍️ Shopping and Daily Life
When you’re living in Japan, even temporarily, having the right apps can make everyday errands easier and even more affordable. From buying essentials and scoring deals to navigating the cashless payment system, these apps can help you settle into daily life with less stress and more convenience.
Mercari
A popular secondhand marketplace where you can buy or sell almost anything, from clothes and electronics to home goods. It’s great if you don’t want to spend much on the few household essentials you might need during your stay.
Amazon Japan
This one’s a familiar name, and the Japanese version works pretty much the same way. It’s a reliable go-to for ordering things like household goods, office supplies, or snacks, with quick delivery in many places, sometimes even the same day. There’s also an English version of the site, which makes browsing and shopping a lot easier.
PayPay / Rakuten Pay / LINE Pay
These are some of the top QR code–based payment apps used in Japan. PayPay is the most popular and works at a wide range of places, including smaller shops and restaurants that usually don’t take credit cards. Rakuten Pay is linked to the larger Rakuten ecosystem, so you can earn and use points while you shop. LINE Pay is built right into the LINE messaging app and works for both in-store and online purchases, and you can even send money to your LINE friends. Just a quick note: setting up these apps usually requires a Japanese phone number and bank account.
Convenience store point apps
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson all have their own apps (nanaco, Ponta, T-Point) that offer coupons, reward points, and seasonal promotions every time you buy snacks, coffee, or essentials at convenience stores, so if you stop by konbini regularly (and you will!), they’re worth installing.
Chain reward programs
Beyond konbini, many stores and services offer broader point systems like Rakuten Points, d-Points, and WAON. If you shop often at the same places, these programs can add unexpected savings over time.
⛑️ Emergency & Safety
While Japan is known for being one of the safest countries in the world, it’s also a place where natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons can happen. Having a few reliable emergency apps on your phone can make all the difference, especially if you’re interning in Japan and unfamiliar with local systems.
Tokyo Disaster Preparedness App
Created by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, this app offers clear, step-by-step instructions for what to do in different emergency situations. It includes evacuation maps, survival tips, and even how-tos for securing furniture or packing an emergency bag, all available in English!
NHK World
Japan’s public broadcasting service provides real-time news updates in English, including emergency alerts, weather updates, and international news. It’s a great way to stay informed without needing to read Japanese.
NERV Disaster Prevention App
One of the most trusted disaster prevention apps in Japan, it delivers some of the fastest notifications available. You’ll receive real-time alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, and severe weather, and you can customize notifications based on your location.
Japan Shelter Guide
This app helps you locate the nearest designated evacuation shelters based on your current location. It’s especially useful if you’re traveling around Japan or living in a big city like Tokyo or Osaka.
Stay Connected, Safe, and Savvy
Getting through daily life during your internship in Japan gets a lot easier with the right apps on hand. From catching your train and ordering lunch to talking with locals and staying updated during emergencies, these tools can take a lot of stress out of your day.
You might be based in Tokyo or spending time in a quieter city, either way, having quick access to useful info makes settling in feel a lot smoother. Interning in Japan gives you the chance to experience a different way of living, and with a few of these digital helpers, you can spend more time enjoying it and less time trying to figure everything out!
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📱 Getting around, finding food, or staying safe, having the right apps makes living in Japan a lot simpler. And just like that, finding the right internship can be too! If you’re ready to intern in Japan, we’re here to help make it happen! Apply now or get in touch to get started!
