Japan Travel by NAVITIME is a Japan transit and trip-planning app that helps international visitors navigate Japan stress-free — by train, shinkansen, bus, taxi, ferry and on foot. Pass-aware route search (incl. the JR Pass), 100% bus route coverage including rural areas, travel guides, itineraries that auto-calculate travel times, and shinkansen ticket booking — all in one app, trusted for over 10 years.
Key Features
[Route Search]
Find the best route anywhere in Japan in seconds — shinkansen, JR, subways, local trains, buses, taxis, ferries and flights. Choose from 50+ rail and unlimited-ride passes such as the Japan Rail Pass, JR TOKYO Wide Pass and Tokyo Subway Ticket, and see which legs your pass covers, which cost extra, and what you actually pay. See which car to board and which platform, whether to board a bus at the front or rear and pay when boarding or getting off, a 6-level crowding forecast per leg, and less crowded trains just before or after. Searches factor in real-time train and shinkansen delays and show detours around them. You can also set a slower walking speed for large luggage, or search for routes with fewer stairs, staying dry in the rain, or step-free access.
Hold your IC card (Suica, PASMO and more) to your phone to check its balance, and find luggage storage along your route.
[AI Camera Guide "Check & Ride"]
Not sure the train or bus in front of you is the right one? Photograph the platform departure board or bus destination sign. AI reads the Japanese display instantly and tells you whether it matches the route you searched — no Japanese language skills needed.
[Travel Guides & Itineraries]
Articles on Tokyo, shinkansen tips, Japan wifi, food and culture by international writers living in Japan — save every spot mentioned with one tap. Pick an itinerary from NAVITIME or other app users, or build your own day-by-day plan by placing spots on the map. Whenever you add or reorder spots, transport, travel and waiting times update automatically, with a running total cost. Invite companions to edit with you. Available in 13 languages, with map labels in 5.
[Local Support & Booking]
Where or when trains don't run, book a taxi from the map or route details. Check the fare estimate and license plate, and send your driver a preset message — no Japanese needed. Pay in the app and see the amount in your home currency. Get earthquake, tsunami, weather and volcano alerts with shelter search, and buy shinkansen tickets and the NAVITIME eSIM in-app. Hotels, passes and activities are bookable too.
[Who It's For]
- First-time visitors and solo travelers unsure about Japanese station signs and transfers
- Pass holders wanting full value from their rail pass
- Travelers with heavy luggage, avoiding stairs, or using a wheelchair
- Anyone planning a multi-city or rural trip by train, bus and subway
[What You Get]
- One photo of a departure board confirms you're on the right train — no Japanese reading needed
- 100% bus route coverage reaches rural Japan where trains don't go
- Know what your pass covers and what costs extra before you board
- Which car, which platform, how crowded — stress-free travel days
- Find stations, Japan wifi spots, ATMs, currency exchange and rail maps offline
- After the last train, call a taxi and identify it by its license plate
[Premium] Upgrade via in-app purchase.
- Alternative routes during delays
- Voice navigation
- Timetables and stop lists
- Real-time bus location
In short: Japan Travel by NAVITIME is a public transport navigation and trip planning app for visitors to Japan, available in 13 languages. Its AI camera feature, Check & Ride, reads a photo of a platform departure board or bus destination sign and tells you whether the train or bus matches your searched route. Free to download, with an optional premium upgrade.
