9 Apps That Made My Japan & South Korea Trip SO Much Easier
By Sadie | See with Sadie
When I started planning my trip, I realized that my phone was going to be just as important as my suitcase. Between navigating massive train stations, booking experiences, getting around cities, staying connected, and figuring out transportation, there were a handful of apps that made my trip so much easier.
Here are the 9 apps I would recommend downloading before traveling to Japan and South Korea.
Japan Travel
Japan has a very reliable transit system, but it can get pretty confusing, especially at some of the bigger stations. If you're even thinking about traveling around Japan by train, download this app asap.
Japan travel broke down each train swap, bus stop, and even which exit to take to make getting from destination to destination as seamless as possible.
It was incredibly helpful and I loved having everything on my phone instead of constantly trying to figure things out once I was inside a station.
Klook
I used Klook for booking different activities and transportation throughout the trip.
One of my favorite things about using an app like this was being able to have my reservations and tickets easily accessible from my phone. Instead of keeping track of a bunch of separate confirmations, I could pull up my bookings when I needed them.
If you're planning activities ahead of time, I definitely recommend checking Klook before your trip.
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide was another app I used to book experiences.
I like having both Klook and GetYourGuide because I could compare different experiences, prices, schedules, and reviews before deciding what I wanted to book.
I wouldn't necessarily say you need to book through both, but having both available gave me more options when planning the trip.
GO
GO was my go-to for taxis in Japan.
There were definitely moments when taking public transportation wasn't the easiest option, especially when I had luggage or needed to get somewhere quickly.
Having a taxi app already downloaded meant I didn't have to worry about figuring out how to find a taxi once I was there.
This is one of those apps I would rather have downloaded and not need than need it and not have it.
Mymizu
This was one of the more unique apps I used during my trip. Mymizu helps you find places where you can refill your water bottle.
When you're walking around all day sightseeing (especially during peak summer), having access to water is SO important. Instead of constantly buying plastic bottles, I could use the app to find refill locations.
It's a small thing, but when you're averaging 25,000+ of steps a day, it makes a difference.
Ubigi
If you're traveling internationally, do not forget about your phone service. I used Ubigi for my eSIM/mobile data while traveling.
Having mobile data meant I could use my maps, transportation apps, reservations, messages, and everything else I needed without relying on hotel Wi-Fi.
Setting up an eSIM before your trip is one of those things I would recommend doing before you get on the plane so you aren't trying to figure it out after landing.
NAVER Maps
Once I got to South Korea, NAVER Maps became one of my most important apps.
If you're used to relying on Google Maps, don't assume it will work exactly the same way in South Korea.
I used NAVER Maps to help navigate around Seoul and figure out where I needed to go. Having a reliable map app specifically for Korea made getting around much less stressful.
Tmoney
One of my favorite things was being able to use Tmoney through my Apple Wallet.
Instead of carrying around another physical card, I could keep my transportation card on my phone.
This made getting around South Korea much easier because I didn't have to constantly pull out my wallet every time i needed to get on a train.
Suica
I did something similar in Japan with Suica.
Having Suica in my Apple Wallet meant I could use my phone for transportation without needing to carry a physical card around. For me, this was one of the biggest travel wins because my phone was already something I always had with me.
My Pre-Trip Phone Checklist
If you're traveling to Japan or South Korea, I would recommend getting all of this set up before you leave home.
Before Japan
Download Japan Travel
Download Klook
Download GetYourGuide
Download GO
Download mymizu
Set up your Ubigi eSIM
Add Suica to Apple Wallet
Download your important reservations and confirmations
Make sure your phone is unlocked for your eSIM
Before South Korea
Download NAVER Maps
Set up Tmoney in Apple Wallet
Make sure your Ubigi data is working
Save your hotel information somewhere easily accessible
My Biggest Tip: Set Everything Up Before You Leave
The biggest lesson I learned is that you don't want to be downloading and figuring out apps after you land.
When you're tired, jet-lagged, carrying luggage, and standing in an unfamiliar airport, the last thing you want to do is troubleshoot your phone. Take an hour or two before your trip and get your travel apps, eSIM, transportation cards, and reservations organized.
Your future self will thank you.
And honestly, my phone ended up being one of my most important travel tools throughout the entire trip. From finding my way through Japanese train stations to navigating Seoul, booking experiences, calling taxis, finding water, and getting around with my phone in my hand... these apps made traveling internationally SO much easier.
If you're planning a Japan & South Korea trip, save this post for later!
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