Top 5 Meditation Apps Popular Among Japanese Office Workers
In Japan, an increasing number of office workers are experiencing both physical and mental exhaustion due to heavy workloads and constant pressure. Against this backdrop, meditation apps that allow people to reset their minds easily are gaining attention and being widely adopted by many office workers.
These apps offer a rich variety of guided meditations, breathing exercises, and mindfulness programs that even beginners can follow with ease, aiming to promote relaxation and improve concentration in just a short amount of time. Since they can be used during commutes, breaks, or in between tasks, they fit seamlessly into busy schedules, making it easier to maintain the habit. In this article, we will rank and introduce the meditation apps that are especially popular among Japanese office workers. We hope it serves as a valuable reference for stress care and maintaining mental health.
Ranking of Best Meditation Apps
- Cocorus
- BetterSleep
- Calm
- Upmind
- Headspace
1. Cocorus
Source: Cocoros Official Website
Cocorus is a Japanese-made meditation and mindfulness app designed to support mental self-care. Tailored to the lifestyle rhythms and concerns of Japanese users, it offers a wide range of programs designed to reduce stress, manage emotions, and enhance concentration. With audio guides supervised by professional psychologists and mindfulness instructors, beginners can start with confidence and ease. The app also offers abundant content for specific needs, such as aiding sleep or lifting low moods, making it a practical tool for office workers seeking calm amidst their busy days. Its personalization features recommend meditations based on the user’s current mental state, and its convenience for use during commutes or breaks is highly rated.
2. BetterSleep
Source: BetterSleep Official Website
BetterSleep is a meditation and relaxation app focused on improving sleep quality, and it enjoys strong popularity among Japanese office workers. It offers an extensive library of soothing soundscapes, healing music, narrated sleep stories, and guided meditations, all designed to help address issues such as difficulty falling asleep or experiencing light, restless sleep. Used particularly before bed, it helps calm the mind and guide users into deeper rest. Its customization feature, which allows users to mix sounds to match their mood and preference, is also well-loved—creating a personalized relaxation space. For busy workers who struggle to secure long periods of sleep, it serves as a valuable ally for achieving high-quality rest in a short amount of time.
3. Calm
Source: Calm Official Website
Calm is a globally acclaimed meditation and relaxation app that has gained popularity among Japanese business professionals dealing with stress. With a diverse range of content, including meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and music, it can be tailored to various goals such as mental care, concentration improvement, or sleep enhancement. Its guided meditations are designed for easy adoption by beginners, and Japanese users have praised the combination of English audio with subtitles as a way to also practice their listening skills. Calm also features a wealth of quiet music and nature sounds ideal for bedtime relaxation. Its beautifully simple interface makes it a perfect choice for busy workers seeking a daily moment of stillness.
4. Upmind
Source: Upmind Official Website
Upmind is a Japan-based mindfulness and mental care app attracting attention for its locally tailored approach. It offers a range of expert-supervised meditation guides and self-conditioning programs that allow busy office workers to maintain their mental health with ease. A standout feature is its "Mental Score" function, which records levels of stress and anxiety, visualizing the user’s mental state and helping them choose programs accordingly. Many sessions are only around five minutes long, making them easy to incorporate during commutes or lunch breaks. Delivered entirely in Japanese, it feels familiar and approachable, even for beginners. For those wanting to reset their minds after a demanding day, Upmind is a reliable self-care tool.
5. Headspace
Source: Headspace Official Website
Headspace is one of the world’s most popular meditation and mindfulness apps, with a growing following among Japanese office workers. Developed by former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe, this program features scientifically backed meditation techniques aimed at reducing stress, boosting focus, and improving sleep quality. Its guided meditations—starting from just a few minutes—are beginner-friendly and designed for straightforward continuation. The app offers a wide selection of sessions to meet specific needs, such as relaxing during work or calming anxiety. Suitable for various times of day, from commutes to bedtime, it helps users maintain both mental and physical balance. While most content is in English, the clean, intuitive visuals make it easy for Japanese users to navigate.
Conclusion
In the rush of daily work, taking quiet moments to reflect and reconnect with oneself is essential for mental well-being. All of the meditation apps introduced here can be started in just a short time and are easy to maintain, even for busy office workers. Whether your goal is stress relief, improved concentration, or better sleep quality, selecting an app that aligns with your lifestyle and needs can help restore a sense of calm and ease in everyday life. In our digital age, building a mindfulness habit through apps can be a powerful ally. Why not start with just a few minutes each day to listen to your mind and body? Small daily steps can lead to a healthier, more positive life.
