Even just a few short years ago there were special metro apps and train ticket apps you needed to get around Japan but I know honestly believe that google maps can help you 90% of the way to your destination – whether it be a remote countryside shrine or a middle of Tokyo cafe.
My my my this is different to when I was an exchange student in 1997 and my host family had to bring out a big telephone book looking train station guide to get the train times all ready for me!
Google maps can help you work out if a taxi is just going to be easier ( especially if your kids are tantrumming or super sleepy)
For short journeys in big cities – if you have small children who are melting down- I often encourage families to consider using taxis in Japan. Google maps can show you how much you could expect a trip to cost (to get a cost idea – even before you are in Japan – use the UBER app and put in both destination and departure location – for example Shibuya Crossing to Tokyo Tower – then you will know how much a cab with be too , doesn’t have to be uber!) & how long it will take and you can then make an informed decision on whether or not it is worth it for you.
I find Google Maps to be especially helpful when traveling with children on trains – particularly when you have lots of transfers to make
If you have lots of train changes ahead. Google maps will tell you the price, platform number, station names of those you will pass through between here and your destination AND which carriage to sit in to be closest to your next train or the exit you need.
I actually use this level of detail to let my kids take charge and this is especially fun for them when we need to change several times. Because I have all of the info, I can literally say “ok. When we get off at the next station, we need to find the exit for the green line… then we need to find platform 3 …. ok … now… can we find where to wait for carriage 6…?” It’s like a treasure hunt for them!
Google maps will tell you the total cost of your travels – even if you’re transferring a gazillion times and riding buses and trains etc.
Google maps will also update in real time if you miss one train and will get you on the next one.
Google maps will help you door to door if you’re looking for a specific landmark or restaurant. It will even tell you which station exit to use at either side.
Google maps in Japan is way more accurate than any other country I’ve visited.
In the city centres you can also find out, via Google Maps, if there are women’s carriages, how crowded the carriage is for that time of day and even, sometimes, if the carriage temperature is hot or cold.
Google maps is a lifesaver when travelling with a stroller in Japan.
If you are searching for where you need to go… after entering in the place name… click OPTIONS and then choose “wheelchair accessible” and google maps will actually weed out the stations without elevator access ( or send you to a station entrance that does.)
Google maps CANNOT help you work out the route for your JR Pass when it comes to taking away the Nozomi Shinkansen as an option.
If you’ve had a JR Pass before you know that the fastest of the bullet trains, Nozomi, is the only option not available for JR Pass holders. Google Maps does not currently have this kind of filter option, so I recommend scrolling down the travel options if you’re traveling by bullet train until you find a travel route that does NOT use a Nozomi bullet train.
Dear Google Maps, Please consider this for your next function feature?
For longer trips across Japan (or at least the bullet train leg of it all) I recommend using Navitime or the JapanTravel App.
See here if you’d like my tips on mindful train etiquette in Japan for kids.
And here for tips on bullet train travel with children.
