How To Get Around Japan: Basic Guide To Transport

Intro

Travelling around Japan is an absolute pleasure. Let’s look at the reasons why. Japan’s public transport and infrastructure is arguably the best in the world. As a result, exploring the length and breadth of this spectacular country is easy and enjoyable. The country’s public transport in particular is second to none. From its fast, safe, incredibly punctual trains to its modern, clean, and reliable city metros and subways, to the country’s buses and ferries to more rural destinations and islands, it is simply a joy to get around in Japan. Of course, Japan has other means of travel available alongside its brilliant public transportation, including domestic flights, car rentals, taxis, and more. Let’s take a closer look at how to get around in Japan in our quick start guide to public transport.

Types of Transport

When it comes to transport, Japan has it all. The country excels at making travel quick, relaxing, and stress-free. Japan takes great pride in its exceptional public transport and also offers a wealth of private options, covering almost every mode of travel, and possible preference. Travel in Japan is incredibly well-organised, efficient, reliable, and comprehensive. If there’s somewhere you want to go in Japan, you can rest assured the country will have the best possible method already in place. Here are the main transport types you’ll encounter:   

• Railways

We had to start with trains! From high-speed shinkansen ‘bullet trains’ to quaint local services, Japan’s rail network is arguably the best in the world and is generally considered the easiest way to get around the country. The rail network is extensive, connecting Japan’s four main islands, and effectively acts as a gateway to any area of the country you’d like to explore, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. As well as being comprehensive, it’s also fast, safe, clean, efficient, and enjoyable to use. Japan has many different types of trains, including the shinkansen, limited express, express, rapid, and local, but they all have these qualities in common. Japan’s Railways are operated by the JR (Japan Railways) Group. The JR Group consists of six independent train operators (JR Hokkaido, JR Central, JR East, JR West, JR Shikoku and JR Kyushu). Together, these regional rail companies connect Japan’s main islands. There are also smaller private companies who run additional services. 

The shinkansen runs the length of Japan from the city of Sapporo in the north to Kagoshima in the south. In between those two stops, these incredible high-speed trains visit almost all of Japan’s major cities - Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and many more. The shinkansen are only operated by the JR Group and have separate ticket gates and platforms. On Japanese trains, you’ll find ordinary seats and green car seats, which are the equivalent of first class. There’s also reserved and non-reserved seating. 

The Japan Rail Pass provides unlimited travel on the entire national JR network, including the high-speed bullet train lines and transport to and from the country’s airports. Whether you’re planning to explore the whole country or just travel from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka and back again (for example), a JR Pass can offer much better value than purchasing individual tickets - and it’s only available for international visitors. It also has a number of bonus perks such as free travel on the Tokyo monorail, which runs from Haneda Airport to the Tokyo Bay area, free travel on the bus network in Hiroshima and also on the JR-operated Ferry in Hiroshima, which takes passengers to the iconic Miyajima island. 

Passes are valid for 7, 14, or 21 days once activated and give you access to all Japan Railways Group (JR) trains, buses, and ferry services across Japan. This includes the shinkansen bullet trains. One of the many benefits of the JR Pass - alongside unlimited travel on JR trains and the shinkansen - is free reservations and seat selection. Having a pass means you’ll also be able to hop on and off trains as needed without having to buy a ticket, which gives you a huge amount of extra flexibility as a traveller. You can even upgrade your JR Pass to a Green Class JR Pass, for unlimited first class travel. 

Japan Rail Passes can be bought up to three months in advance and need to be activated on your arrival in Japan. Regional JR passes are also available if you’re definitely only visiting one area of Japan. Finally, you can also purchase individual tickets for single and return journeys from self-service ticket machines or ticket counters at stations, although it’s worth noting even if you’re only planning on using the train once or twice during your stay, it might still be better value to use a JR Pass. 

• Metros and Subways

Japan’s major cities each have dedicated metro and subway systems. They’re generally considered to be the best way to get around Japanese cities due to their speed, regularity, efficiency, and cleanliness. They can also be a very affordable option when paired with an IC card. These are prepaid contactless smartcards, like London’s Oyster card, which can be bought and used to get around on Japan’s public transportation, specifically its metros and subways. 

IC cards are the easiest and most cost-effective way to get around Japanese cities thanks to the speed, cleanliness, and frequency of its public transport. As such, you’ll definitely want to invest in a prepaid travel card such as an ICOCA, PASMO or Suica card. IC cards like these can be topped up and refunded as needed and they work by tapping or waving them over the card reader as you pass through the ticket gates. It’s also worth noting that the metro and subway systems do not run 24/7 in Japan and stop for the night between 11.30pm and 1am depending on your location, so be sure to keep an eye on the time and be aware when the last train leaves if you’re out late at night.

• Buses

Japan’s buses, like all of the country’s public transport, are clean, efficient, and reliable. The two main types to be aware of are local buses and highway buses. The former cover the entire country and can often be a helpful way of reaching more off-the-beaten path locations. 

While travelling on local buses in major cities, you’ll be able to pay using an IC card like those described in the section above about metros and subways. However, in more rural areas, you’ll need to take a ticket when you board using the centre door on the bus. Before you get off, you will need to put the fare in a box next to the driver. As such, it’s important to have Japanese yen on you at all times while travelling in Japan, especially outside of many cities. Highway buses travel from city to city as well as to and from landmarks and attractions. While typically slower than taking the train, buses can also be a good budget option if you’re not in a hurry, especially long-distance buses and night buses. All long-distance buses have toilets onboard and an overnight stay on a bus can save you the cost of a night’s accommodation. Premium coaches with more legroom and more luxurious are also available at a higher price. Japan’s bus networks include companies such as Willer Express and Japan Bus Lines service. 

• Ferries

As you might expect from an archipelago consisting of more than 6,000 islands, there are some destinations in Japan which require a ferry or boat crossing. The country’s main islands - Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu - are linked by bridges and tunnels, but for the smaller islands and some of the subtropical islands in the south, ferries and car ferries can be very useful. For example, for travelling to destinations like Okinawa in the south on the ferry from Kagoshima to Naha. 

Ferries can also be an enjoyable, slow-paced way to explore Japan’s stunning coastlines from the vantage point of the sea, whether you’re travelling north to Hokkaido from Tokyo or the Sea of Japan on the opposite side of the country. There are also short ferry journeys to specific landmarks and attractions, boat rides across Japan’s many lakes, and cruise ships operating from the country’s coastal cities such as Tokyo and Kobe.  

• Flights

Japan has around 90 airports across the country, including several major international airports such as Narita Airport and Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Kansai Airport in Osaka. Airports operate express train services directly into the cities they are close to, such as the Narita Express into Tokyo, as well as other transport options, making it easy to get your holiday started. The JR Pass, which we mentioned above, includes unlimited travel on the Narita Express. Within Japan, you’ll find two main airlines offering domestic flights to visitors. These are Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA Experience Japan Fare / Nippon Airways (ANA). Both offer special discount fares for overseas visitors.

Alongside these, there are a number of low-cost carriers, such as Peach Aviation and Jetstar Japan, and domestic airlines that connect smaller regional airports. With domestic flights, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible for the best price and avoid peak travel periods in Japan such as New Year (late December to early or Golden Week (late April to early May).

• Taxi

Like all transport in Japan, the country’s taxis are clean, safe, and reliable. While not the cheapest option on the list, they do have their uses in certain situations. For example, if you’re out late at night and miss the last metro or subway back to your accommodation, or you’re struggling to find a particular street address (which can be tricky in Japan). 

It’s worth noting that many taxis may only take cash so it’s advisable to have a good amount of Japanese yen on you at any given time while out and about. Alongside traditional taxis, there are also ride-hailing services available in Japan via apps such as JapanTaxi and Uber, as well as DiDi, MOV, and Grab.

• Car

While Japan’s public transport is hard to beat, renting a car does have its benefits. It can be particularly appealing if you’re travelling with young children or elderly relatives for instance. The country’s roads are also very well maintained as you’d expect and Japanese motorists are known for their respectful and sensible driving. A rental car can also give you the flexibility to plan journeys to more remote, off the beaten path destinations, although Japan’s public transport does cover the vast majority of places. If you do want to rent a car and drive in Japan, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you travel. This is a legal requirement in Japan and must be obtained in your home country. Once you have an IDP, you can drive in another country for up to one year before needing to reapply. 

Motorists drive on the left in Japan, which is the same as the UK, but the opposite to the US and many European countries, so it’s worth being aware of this and bearing it in mind before you arrive. Japan’s four main islands are covered by an expressway network that stretches over 10,000km with major signs written in both Japanese and English. Be mindful of speed limits and look out for manual and electronic toll gates where you will need to pay. If you’re hiring a car, you might be able to get an ETC (electronic toll collection) card from the rental company. Expressway passes for unlimited travel can also be purchased. 

• Bikes

Cycling is a popular form of transport in Japan and a great way to get around. In Japan, a common style of bike is called a mamachari or ‘mom’s bicycle’ and comes in a classic design with a basket at the front, optional child-seat, one gear, and kickstand. Many other types of bikes are available too including electric bikes and mountain bikes for outdoor activities, but mamachari are the most common.

Japan is a bike-friendly nation with designated cycle lanes, parking areas (often next to train stations and shopping malls in cities), and bike rental shops across the country. Bikes can be used in Japanese cities as well as to explore more rural areas. The country is home to several famous cycle routes too, such as the famous Shimanami Kaido, a 60km route crossing islands and bridges that connect the island of Honshu with Shikoku with beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea. There are bike rental outlets along the route in both directions and the entire route is extremely well-maintained. As well as dedicated cycle routes such as this, Kyoto has also become a popular city to explore using a rental bike thanks to its largely flat city centre and the layout of its street network.

While cycling is mainly used for shorter journeys and leisure activities, it’s a beautiful way to see the country first-hand, particularly Japan’s national parks, coastlines, and other rural areas, while also being a convenient way of getting around city centres like Kyoto. Naturally, for longer journeys, you may want to utilise other options such as Japan’s rail network and outstanding public transport instead. This is very easy to do though and all part of the experience.  

• Other

You’ll find other alternative and lesser known forms of travel in Japan too including the likes of the previously mentioned Tokyo monorail (which is included in the JR Pass making it free to use for holders), as well as monorails in other cities such as Osaka, mountain ropeways (such as the Hakone ropeway pictured below), and there are trams (also known as streetcars) still operating in several cities (the largest tram network is in Hiroshima), and more.

Luggage Services in Japan

If you’re planning to travel to more than one destination during your stay in Japan then you might want to consider the country’s luggage storage and forwarding services. Japan’s brilliant public transport makes it easy to travel from city to city as well as exploring more remote destinations off the beaten path and we always recommend you travel as light as possible. If it’s impossible to avoid bringing large, oversized luggage with you, for whatever reason, then it might be worth looking into the country’s luggage forwarding services. Commonly known as Takuhaibin, these reliable and efficient services offer next day delivery and can send your suitcases on to your next destination within Japan, allowing you to travel footloose and baggage-free. There are also some useful apps available, such as Ecbo Cloak, which can help you find and reserve the nearest luggage storage spaces in Japanese cities.

Useful Links 

Here at JapanDen, we take a holistic approach to helping you plan the perfect trip to this incredible country. As well as providing guidance on where to stay, you’ll find expert travel advice, 24/7 support, portable WiFi devices, essential information, and in-depth articles on key topics such as our Top Travel Tips, Japanese Cuisine, What To Pack For Japan, and more. At JapanDen, our mission is to bring together everything you could possibly want or need to know about Japan in one place to ensure the best possible travel experience. Find out more below: 

• For the perfect place to stay, visit our Hotels page and choose from more than 2,800 hotels and 1,800 traditional ryokans.

• Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about Japan’s regions and prefectures so you can decide the best area to visit, you should check out our Destinations page. 

• Want to use Google Translate to support your language skills? Or Google Maps for live train updates? What about posting photos to social media or keeping in touch with home? For all this and more, you’ll need a PocketWifi device like those from Ninja Wifi. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your Wifi with your travel companions, and more, renting a PocketWifi is highly recommended. Our Pocket WiFi guide has everything you need to know. 

• If you’re looking for information about Japan and want to speak with fellow travellers who have been there and done that, then you should join our Community. This welcoming and friendly forum is the place to go to share stories, knowledge, and experiences about Japan, ask questions, make new connections, and find travel inspiration.