GaijinPot

There’s no doubt that the iPhone has become a success in Japan, especially amongst the foreign contingent living here.  Its ease of use, foreigner-friendly applications and the relatively smooth Softbank network are all  a testament to that.  But to really combine the convenience of iPhone (or iPod Touch) and Japan, I have pulled together a handy list of Japan-related apps that you can download right now.

Language Apps

Japanese by Mark Gansicke, size 48.1MB. Price 19.99$ ‘Japanese’ is supposed to be a dictionary app but ends up working as more of a kanji repository. If you are looking for something that will help you decipher kanji boards, road signs and Japanese messages while out and about – this isn’t it.  If, however, you are already learning Japanese and have a decent working knowledge of the writing system, then ‘Japanese’ will greatly help you along.  Classification is linked to what you need to learn in order to pass the JPLT 1,2,3,4 categories, or if you prefer, by strokes, radicals, categories or Japanese school grade. Link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/japanese/id290664053?mt=8

Jisho Touch by James Van Dyne, size 34.8MB Price 9.99$ This for me is a real dictionary App.  Jisho Touch lets users search for a word in a multitude of languages then provides the Japanese romaji, hiragana and kanji translation. The dictionary has over 100,000 words but lets you also bookmark your favorite or mostly used words for quick reference. The only downside of Jisho Touch is if you are using it for traveling – individual words are translated but there is no translation of sentences or phrases in local dialects.

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jisho-touch-multilingual-japanese/id289405248?mt=8

Talking Japanese Phrasebook by iDev entertainment, size 6.6MB Price 0.99$ Whether or not you a short-term visitor, just moved to Japan or long-time veteran of the country, this has to be the most effective “alrounder” of the language apps available. Holding over 500 words and phrases it should help you get by in just about any situation you will find yourself in while in Japan.  Simply select the phrase you need and the app will respond with audio instruction, romaji, Japanese and an English written translation. Many of the phrases also include side notes to help you get some context and help your understanding of what it is exactly you are saying.

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/talking-english-to-japanese/id290627420?mt=8

Also Consider:

Japanese Verb Conjugator

Japanese Flip

Daijisen Jpn-Jpn Dictionary (Japanese-Japanese Dictionary)

Transportation Apps

Finding your way around has long been a core feature of keitais, but here is a little extra you might like to consider. Tokyo Metro 2009 by Eric Redlinger, size 4.2MB Price 2.99$ Previously known as Tokyo Metro, the new edition includes a basic map of the Tokyo metro, individual maps for each of the Tokyo metro lines and a handy shortcut to find connecting stations between JR and metro lines.

Link: http://neilduckett.com/tokyo-metro-iphone-app

Japan Subway Route Map by Kazuhiko Inoue, size 20.6MB Price 1.99$ Unlike Tokyo Subway, this domestically produced version offers more versatility in terms of zooming in and moving around the various maps.  The amount of info on offer is also expanded with transport data for Osaka and Nagoya as well as an enhanced version of Tokyo that includes exit plans for each station.

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/japan-subway-route-map-tokyo/id317722577?mt=8

Fun stuff

iKoto is an application for playing Koto (Japanese Harp) on iPhone.  Koto is a Japanese traditional stringed musical instrument that can produce a typically oriental tone.

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/ikoto/id290600207?mt=8

Samurai: Way of the Warrior lets you play a 2D slash and kill samurai game. Fun game to play with some really nice art work.

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/samurai-way-of-the-warrior/id328219302?mt=8

Draw Slasher: Dark Ninja vs Pirate Monkey Zombies – another hack’n'slash game Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/draw-slasher-dark-ninja-vs/id333263239?mt=8

I am Ninja – from the people who brought you Ask a Ninja – will help you on your quest to become a master of sneakiness.

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=312550882&mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6

Have some more suggestions for Japan related apps?  Let us know in the comments below. Post kindly provided by Yugo of http://agaijinlife.com, who can also be found @agaijinlife