In Korea, where Google Maps cannot be used,

this is the app you can really use! How to choose the right one, a must-read for everyone from beginners to Korea experts

Why can't you use Google Maps in Korea?📱

Have you ever gotten lost while traveling in Korea and thought, “I’m lost…”?

In fact, the cause may be the map app you are using💦

Google Maps, which is familiar to people in Japan, cannot be used for navigation in Korea.

This is because the Korean government prohibits the export of map data overseas for national security reasons.

As a result, the system cannot provide accurate route guidance.

But there’s no need to worry! Korea has excellent map apps that you can really use locally✨

This time, we’ll thoroughly explain the three map apps that are absolutely useful for traveling in Korea, from their individual features to how to choose between them!

📍NAVER Map

Fully compatible with Japanese, making it perfect for first-time travelers to Korea!

Recommended for these people✅

• Those who are not confident in Korean
• Those who mainly use public transportation
• Those traveling to Korea for the first time
• Those who want to use it with peace of mind in Japanese

Key features of NAVER Map✨

It is a very popular map app used by approximately 80% of Koreans.

Its greatest appeal is its extensive Japanese-language support!

• Easy to use with a Japanese interface
• Real-time bus and subway directions
• Arrival alarm feature to prevent you from missing your stop
• Offline map downloads available
• Save favorites to make trip planning smoother
• Convenient selection of the latest spot search tags
• 
  

With its Japanese UI, place names are easy to find, making it less likely for even Korea beginners to get lost.

Useful NAVER features💡

Simply enter the bus number to check the real-time timetable,

and see the estimated arrival time and operating status at a glance.

In addition, the “Departure” and “Arrival” pins displayed on the map are very easy to see,

so you can travel with peace of mind even in an area you are visiting for the first time.

It also provides plenty of information on business hours and reviews, and supports Japanese input,

making it easy to use even if you don’t understand Korean.

What’s more, the transfer guidance is highly accurate,

even telling you which subway exit to use🚇

Points to Note⚠️

However, please note that the places that can be searched in Japanese are limited.

There are also cases where place names differ from their commonly recognized Japanese names.

For example, searching for “Seoul City Hall” may not produce any results,

and you may need to enter “Seoul Metropolitan Government” to search successfully.

Tourist attractions and popular spots can be searched in Japanese,

but local shops and small facilities may require searching in Korean.

Kakao Map

The No. 1 map app in Korea📍

Recommended for✅

• Those who can read Korean
• Those who want to discover local businesses
• Those who want to keep up with the latest trending spots
• Those who want more accurate and detailed information

Key Features of Kakao Map✨

Kakao Map is a highly capable app with the highest usage rate in South Korea.

It can be said to be the map app most trusted by locals,

thanks to its highly accurate and rapidly updated information.

✓ The most extensive gourmet and café information

✓ Comprehensive map features and smooth operation

✓ High-quality, exceptionally reliable reviews

✓ Convenient searches with the AI assistant feature

✓ Easy location sharing, perfect for meeting up

✓ Check even the exterior of buildings with 3D maps

Convenient Features of Kakao💡

With an overwhelmingly large number of local users, its freshness and accuracy of information are top-class.

• Newly opened stores are reflected incredibly quickly
• Newly opened trending spots can also be searched immediately
• View crowd data by age, gender, and day of the week
• → Makes it easier to plan when to visit

In addition, its integration with Kakao Taxi is exceptionally smooth.

You can call a taxi directly from the app, making transportation stress-free🚕

There are many detailed reviews from actual visitors,

along with plenty of photos, so you can get a feel for the atmosphere and crowd levels in advance.

Points to Note⚠️

• Japanese interface is not supported
• Searching in Korean is generally required

That said, for those who can read Korean,

it is the app with the most information and the highest accuracy.

Even if you feel unsure about searching, you can use it smoothly alongside a translation app.

Google Maps（Google Maps）

Convenient for preliminary research📍

Recommended for

• Those who want to use an app they are familiar with
• Those who want to use it for preliminary research while in Japan
• Those planning a trip focused mainly on famous tourist spots

Main features of Google Maps✨

Google Maps, which is familiar to people in Japan, is ideal for preliminary research as

a “reassuring app you can use without worry” since you do not need to learn how to use it from scratch.

✓ Smooth searches in Japanese

✓ Famous spots support searches in Japanese

✓ Automatic translation of reviews

✓ Easy to plan your trip with bookmarks

✓ Check the surrounding atmosphere in advance with Street View

Useful Google features💡

The biggest strength of Google Maps is that it has an abundance of reviews in Japanese.

• Read the impressions of other Japanese travelers as they are
• Check reviews in multiple languages with automatic translation
• Check the local streetscape and the exteriors of shops with Street View
• If a store supports Indoor View, you can even get a sense of the atmosphere inside📸

You can greatly reduce the anxiety of “It was different from the place I imagined when I actually went there…”

Important Points to Note⚠️🚫

Navigation features cannot be used in Korea!

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood points when traveling to Korea.

• Inaccurate route guidance
• Real-time traffic information is unavailable
• Low accuracy for walking navigation

Therefore, consider **Google Maps to be “for advance research only,”**

and use NAVER Map or Kakao Map for actual navigation.

Recommended Combinations by Traveler Type🌟

🇯🇵 Beginners in Korean

Main: NAVER Map ／ Sub: Google Maps

Use NAVER, which supports Japanese, for navigation, and Google for checking in advance. The most reassuring combination.

🇰🇷 Those Who Can Read Korean

Main: Kakao Map ／ Sub: NAVER Map

The ultimate combination of Kakao’s overwhelming amount of information and NAVER’s traffic guidance.

🎒 First Trip to Korea

NAVER Map alone is enough to start!

The Japanese UI makes it easy to use without getting lost, so there’s no stress.

🍽 Food- and Cafe-Focused Trip

Main: Kakao Map ／ Sub: NAVER Map

Kakao is by far the fastest at reflecting newly opened and trending establishments.

Practical Tips for Making the Most of Them💡

✔ Preparation in Advance

It’s reassuring to take care of these things in Japan.

• Download the NAVER and Kakao apps
• Change NAVER to Japanese settings
• Save the places you want to visit to Favorites
• Download the NAVER offline map
• Create a Kakao account (phone number or email)

You can use it immediately after arriving on the day of your trip.

✔ Convenient Features Available Locally

Common to NAVER & Kakao

• Real-time bus arrival information
• Boarding and alighting alerts
• Location sharing (makes meeting up easier)
• New store tag searches (perfect for discovering trending spots)

✔ Search Tips

NAVER Map

Using Japanese and Korean together is the most accurate (e.g., Myeongdong／ミョンドン).

Kakao Map

Search entirely in Korean.

→ Copy and paste the store name using a translation app for the best results.

Google Maps

Japanese is fine. However, do not rely on it for route guidance.

Things to Note When Using It⚠️

📶 An Internet connection is essential

Real-time traffic information cannot be used offline.

Recommended

• Wi-Fi router
• Korean SIM
• Data roaming (expensive)

🔑 Account Registration

Adding favorites and viewing reviews will become much more convenient.

• NAVER → Register with an email
• Kakao → Register with a phone number or email

🔋 Beware of Battery Consumption

Map apps consume a lot of battery using GPS.

Tips

• Bring a portable charger
• Close apps when not in use
• Make use of Low Power Mode

📊 Data Usage

Displaying maps uses more data than you might expect.

Ways to save

• NAVER offline maps
• Check in advance using your accommodation's Wi-Fi
• Turn off automatic updates

Summary｜Enjoy a More Comfortable Trip to Korea!🎯

If you want to travel around Korea without getting lost,

using each app for the right purpose is the key to success.

• Peace of mind in Japanese → NAVER
• Prioritize local information → Kakao
• Check in advance → Google

By combining these three effectively,

you can get around any area comfortably without getting lost✨

Preparing before your trip will greatly reduce stress at your destination!

Information to help you enjoy Korea with greater peace of mind and a feeling of closeness