Best Apps for Living in Japan 2026 — Complete Expat Guide (30+ Apps & Referral Codes)

Still the most reliable navigation app in Japan in 2026. Accurate transit times, walking directions, and business hours. Works offline when you download the Tokyo map in advance.

For complex train routing in Tokyo, Google Maps handles most cases. Hyperdia offers more granular Shinkansen and reserved seat options for long-distance travel.

Japan’s dominant QR payment app, accepted at 60+ million stores nationwide. Requires a Residence Card to register. Receive ¥300 cashback with referral code 07-UMBLI04.

The best app for sending money home from Japan at near-mid-market exchange rates. Transparent fees, a multi-currency debit card, and Japan bank account support. Used by thousands of TIFE members to send money back home at a fraction of bank rates.

Japan’s largest C2C marketplace with millions of listings. Buy and sell clothes, electronics, collectibles, furniture, and more. 10% seller fee. Anonymous shipping. Use referral code GUJURR for ¥500 off your first purchase.

Yahoo! Japan’s flea market app with free shipping on everything — always. Only 5% seller fee (vs Mercari’s 10%). Fully integrated with PayPay. Use referral code WWYMXZ to get ¥1,000 in PayPay points as a new user.

Rakuten’s official flea market app. Earn Rakuten Points on every purchase — redeemable for flights, hotels, and online shopping across the Rakuten ecosystem. Excellent for fashion and lifestyle items.

Download Rakuma →

Budget online shopping that ships directly to Japan addresses — free shipping on most items. Great for household goods, phone accessories, and everyday items at 30–70% below Japanese retail prices. Use referral code apm35523 for 30% off your first order.

Japan’s largest point aggregator. Shop at Amazon Japan, Rakuten, book hotels via Agoda (5% back!), or apply for credit cards through Hapitas — and earn points on every transaction. 1 point = 1 yen. Free to join.

One of Japan’s oldest and most trusted cashback platforms. Use both Hapitas and EC NAVI together to maximize total cashback. Use referral code 6z63b when joining.

Rakuten’s own cashback portal. Shop through Rakuten Rebates at hundreds of Japanese and international stores to earn Rakuten Points. Best combined with a Rakuten credit card for maximum point stacking.

Join Rakuten Rebates →

Japan’s contactless IC transit cards — tap to ride any train, subway, or bus across Japan. Also works at convenience stores, vending machines, and many restaurants. Add to Apple Wallet or Google Pay for contactless use. Essential from your very first day.

One digital pass gives you unlimited entry to 50+ Tokyo museums, parks, zoos, gardens, and aquariums — scan a QR code in the app at each venue, no queuing at ticket counters. Available in 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day plans with an optional unlimited Tokyo subway add-on. App available in English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. 30-day full refund if unused. TIFE readers get 12% OFF with coupon code passtc88 (valid until 31 Jan 2027).

The Tokyo Metropolitan Pass gives unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for a flat daily or multi-day fee — a great deal if you’re exploring Tokyo heavily. Available for visitors and expats alike.

Safety Tips is the official Japan Tourism Agency app for earthquake alerts, tsunami warnings, and disaster information in English. NHK World provides English-language emergency news broadcasting. Both are essential — Japan averages 1,500 earthquakes per year.

Japan’s most popular earthquake alert app — pushes notifications seconds before shaking begins. That 5–10 second warning can be the difference between safety and injury. Free and highly recommended.

Best-in-class Japanese-English translation. More natural and context-aware than Google Translate for Japanese. Use the camera feature to translate menus, signs, official documents, and contracts in real time.

Point your camera at any Japanese text for instant translation. Built into Google Photos and the Google app. Essential for reading receipts, medicine labels, and apartment lease documents.

Japan’s most trusted restaurant review platform — like Yelp but far more reliable for Japanese food quality. Ratings are notoriously strict (a 3.5 on Tabelog is exceptional). Use Google Translate to navigate the Japanese interface.

Tokyo’s fastest-growing food delivery app — and the one the TIFE community is currently obsessed with. Zero delivery fees. Zero service charges. Hundreds of Tokyo restaurants including sushi, ramen, burgers, and more. Works for foreigners — English-friendly interface. New users get ¥3,000 in free coupons via our referral link. Peter personally used it for a full month and paid ¥0 in delivery fees.

Both major delivery platforms work well in Tokyo and major Japanese cities. Demae-can often has more local Japanese restaurant options. Uber Eats works with international credit cards making it expat-friendly.

The official Tokyo Metropolitan Government app, available in English and Japanese. City services information, Tokyo-specific event listings, emergency alerts, disaster prevention guides, and access to Tokyo-specific government resources. Essential for expats living in Tokyo.

Download The Tokyo App →

Not living in Japan but want items from Mercari, Yahoo フリマ, or Japanese stores? Tokyo Buy For You is Peter’s personal shopping service — we buy it in Tokyo and ship it to you worldwide. Basic service from $10/item.

Learn More →

What is the most important app for living in Japan?

LINE is the single most important app for living in Japan. With 97 million monthly active users (78% of Japan’s population), it is used for personal messaging, business communications, local government announcements, and staying connected with your Japanese community. Download LINE first, everything else second.

What payment app should expats use in Japan?

PayPay is Japan’s dominant QR payment app, accepted at 60+ million stores. You need a Residence Card to register. For international money transfers, Wise is the best option — offering near-mid-market exchange rates. Use code 07-UMBLI04 for PayPay (¥300 bonus).

What are the best apps to buy and sell secondhand in Japan?

The top three: Mercari (code GUJURR for ¥500 off), Yahoo! フリマ (code WWYMXZ for ¥1,000 PayPay bonus), and Rakuma (earn Rakuten Points). For authenticated sneakers and streetwear, use SNKRDUNK with code VDRLKT for 5% off up to ¥3,000.

What is the best food delivery app in Tokyo for expats?

Rocket Now is currently the best food delivery app in Tokyo for expats in 2026 — zero delivery fees, zero service charges, and ¥3,000 in free coupons for new users via our referral link. Works for foreigners with an English-friendly interface. Uber Eats is a reliable backup with international credit card support.

Is there a tourist pass for Tokyo attractions?

Yes — THE TOKYO PASS gives unlimited entry to 50+ Tokyo museums, parks, zoos, gardens, and aquariums on 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day plans. App is available in English and Chinese. Use coupon code passtc88 for 12% off (valid until 31 Jan 2027). See Peter’s full review →

How can expats earn cashback and points on everyday spending in Japan?

Use Hapitas and EC NAVI (code: 6z63b) before any online shopping — both earn points (1pt = ¥1) convertible to PayPay or cash. Rakuten Rebates earns Rakuten Points. Using all three platforms together ensures you’re capturing cashback regardless of which stores have the best rates at any given time.