Visiting Japan is a dream for many gamers, filled with vibrant cities, delicious cuisine, rich culture and of course it's very expansive gaming scene. Making sure you take the right technology can significantly enhance your experience, and during my recent trip, I was surprised by just how invaluable my iPhone was compared to my wife's Android device. Here’s why the iPhone stands out as the best choice for anyone visiting Japan.
Probably the standout feature of using an iPhone in Japan is the ability to use Suica through your Apple Wallet. Suica allows you to pay for public transport, vending machines, and even items in shops with just a tap of your phone. Setting up a Suica card took me a few seconds. I could transfer funds directly from my bank account using the Apple Wallet app. This functionality proved to be a lifesaver, especially in bustling train stations where ticket machines can be both intimidating and time consuming. It actually worked out quicker for me to have to transfer extra funds to my Suica and then tap than it was for my wife to buy a ticket through the ticket machine.
In contrast, my wife’s Android phone lacked this integration. While she had to navigate the complexities of ticket machines, I simply tapped my iPhone at the ticket gates to enter and exit. This not only saved time but also gave me peace of mind, knowing that I wouldn’t be stranded anywhere without the right fare.
Speaking of which, Japans public transport system is so vast and fast paced it can be a daunting task to get around, but I found apple maps to be an absolute game changer and the most efficient way to navigate. It always gave me precise directions, from which train to catch, to the correct platform to use even the estimated cost of my journey with Suica integration to alert me my Suica balance and if I needed to top up before departing to avoid any delays along the way. It guided me seamlessly from station to station and gave real them updates on the trains and their schedules/delays so I was always in the know.
Japan's technology, manga and anime sub cultures make it a treasure trove of fun and unique things to buy, one of which is the never ending range of mobile accessories. Its no secret that iPhone reigns supreme in this regard. Everywhere you turn you'll find stylish, functional or Kawai things to buy for your iPhone, Accessories for other devices however, are much less frequent. They're still there of course, just not as commonly. From quirky stuff to high tech accessories, the variety for iPhone is unparalleled.
Just like any overseas holiday Japan is full of amazing things to photograph, and having a reliable and quality camera readily available is essential. The iPhone’s camera consistently impressed me, capturing stunning photos of everything from shrines and monuments to neon-lit cities and theme park characters with my family. While this isn't necessarily something the iPhone does better than other smart phones, in fact I still believe there are Android phones on the market with better camera systems, its just something to mention about the convenience of taking your phone with you where you go.
For Aussies, many mobile phone carriers now offer convenient roaming options. For example Optus, who offer 5GB of daily data and unlimited talk and text for just $5 a day. This means you can stay connected without the fear of bill shock. Allowing you to check maps, browse the internet, live translate and stay in touch with friends and family back home without worrying.
While on the subject of translation, lets discuss another standout feature that significantly impacted my travels. That was the iPhone's translate function. This invaluable tool allows for instant translation of conversations, making it incredibly easy to communicate with locals. The ability to remap the action button specifically for translation meant I could instantly and effortlessly switch to translation mode at the push of a button, facilitating smooth interactions wherever I went. Whether I was asking for recommendations at a restaurant or seeking clarification from retail staff, this feature transformed potential language barriers into simple exchanges. The ease of conversing with locals not only enriched my experience but also fostered deeper connections, making my travels all the more memorable. It was via this translation feature that I gained some of the best food recommendations during my trip. I 100% would not travel without this feature in future.
Battery life in particular can be a concern when travelling, especially with constant use of maps and cameras etc. However, the iPhone’s battery performance is excellent. I only came close to running out of power on one occasion, after a 14-hour day filled with sightseeing, photography, and browsing while waiting in lines at Universal Studios. With proper management, you can confidently explore Japan without the fear of being left stranded due to a dead battery and without the need to take with you an extra battery pack.
The iPhone's durability is another key "feature" that makes it the perfect choice for travelling, especially in a bustling country like Japan. During my trip, I dropped my phone more than once, and the last thing I wanted was to worry about costly repairs while navigating a foreign country. Thankfully, the iPhone 15 Pro's titanium build provided me with peace of mind, ensuring that it could withstand the bumps and knocks of daily travel and a 3 year old that insisted on taking pictures of certain things using my phone despite the digital camera we bought before hand... I digress! This added durability allowed me to focus on enjoying my adventures rather than stressing over the possibility of damaging my phone.
While my iPhone 15 Pro served me very well, I couldn’t help notice a bunch of features available in the iPhone 16 range that would have further improved my travel experience. For instance, the dedicated camera button and instant shutter function would have been perfect for quickly snapping pictures from the window of a bullet train or capturing fastmoving moments at a theme park. These features would make it even easier to seize fleeting opportunities without missing a beat, allowing for even more spontaneous and memorable captures during my travels.
The iPhone proved to be an indispensable tool during my trip. Its seamless integration with Suica made getting around effortless and stress free, and if you're in the market for some of the quirkiest mobile accessories Japan has to offer, then you'll feel right at home with the iPhone. Reliable navigation through Apple Maps, a top notch camera, hassle free roaming options, impressive battery life, and the powerful translation capabilities, has the iPhone standing out as the premium choice for anyone travelling to Japan. I was very pleasantly surprised at just how much of a difference having an iPhone made to my experience compared to an android phone.
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