Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Japan.

National Trains [新幹線]

• JR Pass for tourists — The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) offers unlimited travel on most JR trains nationwide and is excellent value if you plan multiple intercity journeys. You must purchase it outside Japan and activate it within 30 days; a 7-day pass costs around ¥29,650. Check the JR East, JR West, and JR Central websites to confirm which routes are covered before buying.
• Shinkansen (bullet trains) — Shinkansen trains connect major cities at high speed—Tokyo to Kyoto takes 2 hours 15 minutes. Reserve seats in advance via JR offices, travel agencies, or the Hyperdia app; unreserved cars are available but often crowded during peak times. Food, drinks, and even bento boxes are sold onboard and at stations.
• Delays over 1 hour are rare, but if they occur, JR issues delay certificates (遅延証明書) for your employer—not refunds. Keep your ticket if you need proof.
• Regional trains — Private railways like Kintetsu, Odakyu, and Tobu operate trunk routes outside JR coverage; buy single tickets or day passes at station machines or counters. The Hyperdia app shows all operators and allows you to compare journey times and costs.
• Luggage and etiquette — Large suitcases (over 160 cm in length + width + height) may require a paid luggage reservation on Shinkansen; avoid eating smelly food on crowded trains and keep phone calls silent. Priority seating (usually marked in pink or blue) is reserved for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers.

City Metro & Buses [地下鉄・バス]

• IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) — Prepaid IC cards work on subways, buses, trains, and some shops across Japan. Buy a Suica card at major stations for ¥2,000 (¥1,500 usable credit), reload at convenience stores, and tap at gates—no need to calculate fares. Each city's card (Pasmo in Tokyo/Kanagawa, ICOCA in Kansai) is interchangeable nationwide.
• Metro systems — Tokyo has 13 subway lines (Tokyo Metro and Toei), Osaka has 9 lines, and Kyoto has 2; download the transit app for your city (Goto Transit, Yahoo Transit, or Google Maps). Trains run from around 5:00 AM to midnight, with frequencies every 2–5 minutes during rush hour.
• Rush hours (7–9 AM and 5–7 PM weekdays) can be extremely crowded; groping and harassment occur, so stay alert and use women-only cars if needed. Station staff may push passengers in to make room.
• Bus passes — Many cities offer 1-day or unlimited bus passes; in Kyoto, the ICOCA card includes a ¥2,000 usable balance, and the Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass costs ¥700. Always board at the rear door and exit at the front; pay when exiting or use your IC card.
• Bus and metro conduct — Eating and drinking (except water) are discouraged on trains and buses; loud conversations and phone calls are forbidden. Backpacks should be removed on crowded trains to avoid hitting other passengers.

Taxis & Ride Apps [タクシー]

• When to use taxis — Taxis are expensive (¥610 initial fare, roughly ¥80–100 per km) but useful for late-night journeys when trains stop (around midnight) or from airports to city centers. Hail taxis at ranked stands outside stations or hotels, or use apps for on-demand bookings.
• Ride-sharing apps — Uber and GO (formerly Grab) operate in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto with lower fares than traditional taxis; both apps show drivers' ratings and estimated fares upfront. Payment is handled in-app, and drivers often speak limited English.
• Some taxi drivers may refuse short trips or claim they don't accept IC cards (many do)—ask politely or use Uber/GO instead. Tipping is not expected and may be declined.
• Taxi etiquette — Do not close the taxi door manually; the driver controls it electronically. Sit in the back seat unless invited to sit in front, and buckle up.
• Airport transfers — Fixed-fare airport shuttle buses (Keisei, Limousine Bus) are cheaper and more predictable than taxis; book online or purchase tickets at airport counters. Door-to-door options exist but reserve in advance.

Driving [レンタカー]

• Driving in Japan requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified Japanese translation of your license (provided by your motor club); US, UK, and Australian licenses alone are insufficient. Many car rental companies (Nippon, Times, Toyota) accept IDPs but verify in advance.
• Driving rules — Drive on the left side, speed limits are 40–100 km/h depending on road type, and seatbelts are mandatory. The legal alcohol limit is very low (0.03%); drink-driving fines exceed ¥500,000 and result in license suspension.
• Parking in cities is expensive and hard to find; assume ¥1,000–3,000 per day. Many buildings require a parking certificate before you can register a car, and street parking is rare and often metered.
• Expressway tolls — Toll roads (expressways) use distance-based pricing; rent a car with an ETC card (electronic toll collection) to avoid stopping at toll booths. Costs range from ¥600–6,000 for major intercity routes; factor this into your budget.
• Driving in countryside — Rural areas and mountain roads are best explored by car; use Google Maps offline and carry cash for tolls and small parking fees. Station car rental is convenient for day trips.

Airports [空港]

• Major airports — Japan's main gateways are Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) near Tokyo, Kansai International (KIX) near Osaka/Kyoto, and Fukuoka (FUK) in Kyushu. Haneda is closer to central Tokyo (14 km) and is the preferred international hub; Narita is 60 km east.
• Airport trains and buses — Haneda's Monorail reaches central Tokyo in 14 minutes for ¥500; Narita Express (N'EX) takes 60 minutes for ¥3,000 but includes a JR Pass redemption discount. Airport buses and shared shuttle shuttles are cheaper options if traveling with luggage.
• Customs and immigration — Declare all electronics, large cash sums (over ¥1 million), and restricted items (knives, food) on customs forms. Immigration queues can be long; use e-gates (facial recognition) if eligible to speed up entry.
• Luggage services — Use airport luggage forwarding (takuhai) to have suitcases delivered to your hotel (¥2,500–3,500 per bag, 1–2 days); this avoids carrying heavy bags on trains. Book at airport information desks or Sagawa/Yamato shipping counters.
• Money and SIM — Exchange currency or withdraw yen at airport ATMs (7-Eleven ATMs have fair rates and operate 24/7); buy a SIM card or rent a mobile Wi-Fi router at airport shops. Prices are higher than city shops but available immediately.

Ferries [フェリー]

• When to use ferries — Ferries connect major islands (Honshu to Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu) and serve scenic routes like the Seto Inland Sea. Journeys range from 1–20 hours; overnight ferries include sleeping cabins and meals.
• Major ferry operators — Japan Ferries (NYK Line), Taiko Ferry, and Shikoku Ferry operate long-distance routes; regional operators handle shorter crossings. Book online via Hyperdia, ferry operators' websites, or travel agencies.
• Ferry conduct — Smoking is restricted to designated areas; noise is discouraged in communal sleeping areas (especially at night). Life jackets are provided and announcements are made in Japanese and English.
• Budget alternative — High-speed ferries (hydrofoils) are 1.5–2× pricier than conventional ferries but halve journey time; use them for day trips to nearby islands. Regular ferries are cheaper and allow vehicle transport.
• Ferries are occasionally canceled due to rough seas or typhoons (June–September); book with flexible dates if traveling during the rainy or typhoon season. Refunds are available if canceled, but rescheduling may be difficult during peak travel.

Tickets & Passes [乗車券]

• Single tickets — Buy individual tickets at station machines (English-language option available) or ticket windows; fares depend on distance. Most stations have English signage and touchscreen machines, but staff at windows speak more English.
• Day passes and rail passes — Many cities offer 1-day unlimited passes (Tokyo Metro: ¥900, Kyoto Bus: ¥700, Osaka: ¥800) that pay for themselves after 3–4 trips. The JR Pass is ideal for multiple intercity trains over 1–3 weeks.
• Tourist passes are valid for consecutive days only; starting a 1-day pass in the evening wastes most of its value. Plan passes to align with your travel itinerary.
• Pocket WiFi and tourist SIM — Tourist passes often bundle data; standalone data SIM cards (AEON, Sakura, IIJ) cost ¥1,000–3,000 for 1–2 GB and are sold at convenience stores. Pocket WiFi rental (¥1,000/day) shares one device among multiple users.
• Ticket validation — Always keep your ticket or IC card until you exit the station; fare evasion fines are steep (¥50,000+). If your IC card balance is insufficient, staff will ask you to pay the difference at an office before exiting.
• Lost and found — If you lose a ticket or IC card, report it immediately at the station office (駅事務室); IC cards can often be reissued with remaining balance intact if registered with your details.

Connectivity & SIM [SIM・WiFi]

• Data SIM and eSIM — Buy a prepaid data SIM card at airports, convenience stores, or electronics shops (Bic Camera, Yodobashi); providers include Sakura Mobile, AEON, and Rakuten. eSIMs are available from Sakura and Rakuten; activate before arrival if possible.
• Mobile WiFi rental — Rent a portable WiFi router (pocket WiFi) from airport counters or delivery services; costs ¥1,000–1,500/day and shares connection across devices. Return it at the airport to avoid late fees; damage charges can be ¥10,000+.
• Free WiFi is unreliable outside major cities and tourist areas; passwords are often required and coverage is spotty. Paid plans (SIM or pocket WiFi) are more dependable for navigation and emergencies.
• Data plans and cost — 1 GB is sufficient for maps and messaging (¥500–1,000); 3–5 GB is safer if streaming or video calling (¥1,500–3,000). Most SIMs are valid for 30 days; buy multiple if staying longer.
• Emergency calls — Dial 110 for police and 119 for ambulance/fire; both are free even without credit or SIM. Tourist information hotlines (050 numbers) offer English assistance; keep a list of key numbers.
• Phone plans for long stays — If staying 1–3 months, consider switching to a local postpaid plan (Docomo, Softbank, au) with an apartment address; tourist SIMs don't allow postpaid registration. Prepaid SIMs are faster for short visits.