Japan Travel by NAVITIME is an app designed to help travelers explore Japan like a local. The app offers various features to assist users in their travel planning and navigation. The "Explore" section provides informative articles and guides written by foreign authors residing in Japan, covering topics such as transportation, money, internet connection, food, art and culture, nightlife, and shopping. The app also offers recommended itineraries for different areas throughout the country.
The "Route Search" feature allows users to navigate from their preferred point of departure to their destination using various modes of public transport, including trains, airplanes, taxis, and ferries. The app provides useful information such as platform numbers, station lists, and timetables. Users can save up to 50 recently searched routes and access them offline. The app also includes a special mode for Japan Rail Pass holders, showing the most efficient routes for pass holders.
The "Map / Offline Spot Search" feature allows users to search for spots offline, including free Wi-Fi hotspots, currency exchange spots, ATMs, tourist information centers, and train stations. Users can also book hotels, rental cars, and activities nearby their location or destination. The app also offers a "Plan" feature where users can add their favorite spots to a timeline and create their own travel plan. Transportation information can be directly accessed from the plan, and users can select modes of transportation such as trains, taxis, walking, and local buses. The app also provides recommended itineraries that users can customize by adding spots based on their interests.
In addition to these features, the app offers paid features such as alternative route search in case of disruptions, voice navigation with directions and landmarks, article rankings to stay updated on hot topics, the ability to create more collections and sort favorite spots, and a rain and snow radar for weather forecasts. Users can upgrade to these features by purchasing a 30-day ticket via in-app purchase. It is important to note that the app uses GPS in the background, which may affect battery life, and users may be asked to participate in a survey by the Japan Tourism Agency, although it is optional.