vickiebypass

I'll be in Tokyo next month and plan to use subways, trains and buses to sightsee. Can anyone suggest an app (IOS)?

It would be great to have one app that would provide options for getting between two spots using different methods - subway, bus, train or walking, like Rome2Rio. (FYI...I just tested Rome2Rio for Shinjuku Garden to Meiji Shrine and it only provided taxi or walking options but I believe I can go from Kita-sando Station on the Fukutoshin Line (brown) to Shinjuku-sanchome so not comfortable using it.). If I have to have two apps - one for all train lines and one for all subway, I guess that's an option. Thanks in advance!

Mara

I don't know about any IOS app since I have Android but what about Google maps....when I opened it, I could see the Fukutoshin Line but when I entered the two places on Google Maps it gave me a more direct bus method....

Looking at the dormant apps on my phone I see Tokyo Subway Navigation one...maybe you can see if it's available for IOS.

progol

I used Google maps and got it pretty quickly.

I did find that I had to pay careful attention to what exactly the app was telling me and then carefully follow signs within the stations, but navigating the Tokyo metro wasn’t near as difficult as I expected it to be.

vickiebypass

Good old Google maps! That's easy - thank you. For me, it's much easier to limit the apps I use and Google offers so much. I'm staying at the Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa (progol - thanks for the recommendation!) and since it's nearest to the Tsukuba Express station stop in Asakusa, I'm keeping an eye on using that as a transit port but since it's limited, I'll likely be using a combo of the other Asakusa stops so having an app that can give me options is key.

progol

The front desk at the hotel is very helpful in giving directions - they actually have some of the directions to the more common sites preprinted! Also, the "main" Asakusa station is really not a long walk, maybe 10 minutes or so.

fodavidors

Being an Android user, I can’t suggest an iOS app for Tokyo’s public transport. During my last visit to Japan, I relied on Google Maps. Additionally, I found Google Translate and Google Lens helpful. The Translate app facilitated communication with locals because I knew little Japanese phrases. Google Lens also has a similar feature with Translate that allowed real-time translation of restaurant menus through the phone camera.

vickiebypass

I didn't know about Google Lens so just researched and played around with it. That will be very useful - thanks! Sounds like Google is the answer to everything.

fodavidors

Google Translate has that same feature as Google Lens, vickiebypass. So if you're also using Google Translate on your travels, you could just use that. However, I also use Google Lens on my travels, like if I spot a product at a Japanese store, I can scan the product using Google Lens to see if I can get that product cheaper in my home country.

mrwunrfl

saw a youtuibe (Takashi from Japan - person on the street interviews) last night and people praised google maps

>> tested Rome2Rio for Shinjuku Garden to Meiji Shrine and it only provided taxi or walking options

I took a look and rome2rio gave a rail option as best along with taxi and walking.

My query was at 7:30 AM JT. There is no time option in rome2rio so I think it searches for departures at time now. If that happens when train/subway are not running then it should not show those options. If you are in London and you search at 7PM GMT then that would be 4AM in Tokyo. Anyway that might explain your results.

vickiebypass

Good to know that the "man in the street" votes for Google Maps, along with all of you. I like using an app I'm already familiar with to get up to the minute directions and Translate is something I already use but Lens gives additional options so that's handy. Thank you all!

hewholovestravel

Glad you got some good recommendations for transit apps in Tokyo! Google Maps and Translate should definitely cover you well. Have a great trip - navigating the subway can seem intimidating at first but you'll get the hang of it in no time.

vickiebypass

I've figured out subways in Paris, London, New York so Tokyo won't defeat me!