In Japan, English is not commonly used, so menus and signs are often written only in Japanese.
For this reason, a translation app is an essential tool for your trip to Japan.
Among the many options available, we recommend DeepL as the most accurate app for translating Japanese into your own language.
What is DeepL?
DeepL is a highly accurate translation app that allows you to instantly translate text, images, and voice. By utilizing its “Camera” feature to scan menus and signs, or the “Speech” feature for voice input, the app automatically translates Japanese in real time. This makes navigating restaurants, train stations, and daily travel interactions incredibly seamless.
How to Use DeepL
💡We highly recommend downloading the app before your trip
1. Download the app
👉 iPhone: App Store
👉 Android: Google Play
2. Open the app
3. Select your source language to “Japanese” and the target language
4. Enter or paste the text you want to translate, take a photo or speak into your phone
5. View the translated result instantly
💡If you have trouble during your trip to Japan, ask a Japanese person to speak Japanese and use DeepL to translate it.
ℹ️ Last Updated: June 2026