Ultimate Guide to Transportation in Japan

Ever heard a story about someone getting lost at Shinjuku Station, the busiest one in the world? Anxious about not being able to figure out transfers and which train to take? In this practical guide, we have compiled the most important things you need to know about transportation in Japan! Read along to find out how to get around in cities like Tokyo with ease, how to book your Shinkansen tickets, and how to confidently navigate Japan.

Suica IC Card: the travel must-have

First things first, we have to address the most important thing: getting a Suica card. Suica is a rechargeable smart card introduced in 2001, and it can be used on public transport as well as in most convenience stores, supermarkets and at vending machines for paying for goods. The main advantage is that travel fares are calculated based on the metro/train line and the distance travelled, so you won’t need to figure out the prices beforehand and buy the correct tickets. There are regional variants of the card like Pasmo, Icoca or Nimoca, but they basically serve the same purpose and are 99% interchangeable.

For visitors, there are three options to get a Suica card:

Option 1: Get a physical Welcome Suica card at the airport, valid for 28 days. The card itself is free but needs an initial top-up of at least ¥1.000 (€5,40/$6,30). It has a unique design and might even make a nice souvenir! Physical cards can be recharged at dedicated machines with cash only – which is a main drawback. There are plenty of machines in- and outside the station gates, so even if your balance is insufficient for the ride, you will have a chance to recharge the missing credit.

Option 2 (recommended): Get a virtual card directly on your phone in Apple or Google Wallet. You can conveniently recharge the virtual card anytime with a credit card saved in your wallet. You can also set it up as an express travel card and pass through station gates or pay for purchases just by tapping your phone on the reader.

Option 3 (only on iOS): Use the Welcome Suica Mobile app to issue yourself a digital welcome card, valid for 180 days. The app can be used to top up the balance and provides some travel information as well. To be frank, we see no practical benefits compared to Option 2; therefore would not recommend going with this app.

Tap-and-go is worth mentioning for the sake of completeness – travelling with credit card is available on many lines, but with some major restrictions. In Tokyo, you cannot use this method on JR lines, and the coverage on other providers’ lines can be limited. Make sure to check out the current coverage on Tokyo Metro and Toei. We would recommend simply using a physical or digital Suica card instead, to save you the hassle.

Transportation in cities

Japanese society is often praised for its organisation and efficiency – the same can be said about the transportation network as well. For example, you would be hard-pressed to find a corner of Tokyo that you cannot reach by public transport. The convenience of trains, metros and buses shows in ridership numbers too – the Tokyo Metro alone (which is just one of the many public transport providers in the city) moves 6.8 million people per day!

Subway & local trains

The entire network of metro, train and bus lines is integrated into Google Maps and Apple Maps, which makes navigating the jungle of train stations quite straightforward. The apps will even show you which carriage of the train you should take for the quickest transfer and the nearest exit at your destination. The exact fare for a journey is also displayed in the app.

In most larger cities, you will see a number of different companies operating metro and train lines. In Tokyo, some examples are Odakyu, Keisei, Keio, Tokyo Metro and JR East; most of the time, the companies are reflected in the actual name and logo of the line as well. The companies, however, do not only operate the lines themselves but also the stations and the shopping centres along the line. A huge part of their revenue comes from real estate, in fact – you can view the train lines as a kind of an anchor bringing people to the companies’ shopping facilities. Often, you will find a complete underground city beneath the station with a maze-like structure and a huge number of entrances.

In bigger cities like Tokyo or Osaka, most of the signage features English names and directions as well.

Keep in mind that the subway does not run all night long. In Tokyo, for example, the last train usually departs around midnight and the first one sets off at 5 am, depending on the line, of course.

Train variations

On many lines, there are multiple types of trains running the same route. These are usually labelled “local”, “express”, “rapid express” and “special express”. This means that the higher the train rank, the more stations the train skips. When planning your route, pay attention to which train you need to take and which train you are boarding.

Themed trains

You might have noticed how obsessed Japan is with trains – there are many special local trains with extraordinary decoration and special trains running only on special occasions. You might have seen the famous Pokémon train with Pikachu theme operating between Ichinoseki and Kesennuma, or the Hello Kitty Shinkansen running on the Sanyo line, or the Disney Resort Line in Tokyo. There is also an easily accessible local train between Osaka and Kyoto with themed carriages based on the four distinctive seasons of Japan.

Public transport etiquette

With Tokyo Metro’s daily ridership of 6 million people, there are certain written and unwritten rules people need to adhere to in order to ensure a smooth ride. Similar rules apply in other metropolitan regions as well, so keep an eye out for floor markings and information boards.

• Line up at the doors according to the markings on the floor. This ensures quick boarding and alighting. Sometimes you will find the name or the symbol of the train (e.g. a small triangle) on the floor marking as well.
• Do not take phone calls during the ride and set mobile devices to silent mode.
• Pay attention to women-only carriages.
• Do not eat or drink on public transport or at stations.
• Manage your luggage as space-efficiently as possible, use the overhead compartments and do not block the aisles.

Luggage storage

Taking the bus

Riding the bus in Japan is a whole experience in itself! While you might not need to do so, we would definitely recommend taking the bus for a couple of stops at least. Drivers usually make non-stop announcements in Japanese during the entire ride, saying things like “We are departing, hold on tight now!” or “Right curve coming up, be careful!” You have to pay a flat fee (e.g. ¥210 in Tokyo and Osaka, ¥230 in Kyoto), regardless how many stops you travel.

There are some small regional differences in operations. In Tokyo, for example, you board the bus in the front and immediately pay for the ride. In the Kansai region, you have to board at the rear door and pay while getting off at the front.

Airport transfer

Chances are you will land at one of Tokyo’s two airports or the one near Osaka, so we think this topic deserves its own chapter.

Tokyo Haneda (HND)

Haneda is served by the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu Airport Line, both connecting to major train stations near the downtown area. The travel time is approximately 40-50 minutes and you will most probably have to change once. You do not need to purchase a separate ticket; you can simply use your Suica card. A typical fare to Shinjuku Station is ¥710 (€3,80/$4,50).

Alternatively, you can opt for the limousine bus service, which directly takes you to major transportation hubs across the city. Prices are higher compared to the train; a ticket to Shinjuku Station costs ¥1.400 (€7,50/$8,80).

Conveniently, all the options are available in Google Maps in real time, including fares, so there is no need to plan your transfer in advance.

Taxis operate on a fixed fare based on the distance to the ward you are travelling to. Prices range between ¥8.000 (€43/$50) and ¥15.000 (€80/$94). You can check the exact pricing here.

Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Narita is the more distant aiport in the Tokyo area, so reaching downtown can take up to 1,5 hours. The two main lines serving the airport are the Narita Express and the Keisei Skyliner. Prices are a bit higher due to the distance; our sample trip to Shinjuku costs between ¥1.500 and ¥1.900.

The aforementioned limousine bus service is also available here; a single journey costs ¥3.600.

Taxis operate on a fixed fare here too, with prices between ¥23.500 and ¥38.500 for the furthest destination. You can check the exact pricing here.

Kansai International (KIX)

KIX serves the greater Osaka area, including the cities of Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama. The most convenient way to reach Osaka downtown is by taking the Nankai line (approximately 1 hour; ¥1.200).

If your journey in Japan starts or ends in Kobe, we recommend taking the airport bus from Kobe Sannomiya Station, which conveniently takes you to the airport in about 1 hour for ¥2.200.

Taxis

The definitive taxi app in Japan is called GO Taxi, which is available on both iOS and Android. Uber is available, but it only acts as a middleman between riders and licensed local taxi provider companies, rather than operating with its own registered drivers.

In larger cities, taxis are abundant – you won’t need to wait long before you can flag one down on any major road. Taxi doors in Japan open and close automatically, and some drivers get a bit grumpy if you try to operate the doors manually.

Bike sharing & e-scooters

The most widespread bike-sharing network is operated by Docomo Cycle. They cover many regions, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo and even Okinawa. You have to download the app (available on both iOS and Android), connect your credit card, and you are ready to ride. You pay in 30-minute increments, or you can purchase a daily unlimited pass.

Another popular option is the e-scooter provider Luup. It is available in most larger cities and works in a similar way to Docomo Cycle.

Driving in cities

Unless you want to visit more remote locations, you probably won’t need to think about renting a car. Especially for first-time visitors, all the popular attractions can be reached by public transport. If you decide to go off the “tracked path” (no pun intended), there are a number of companies offering rental cars. Popular ones include Nippon Rent-a-Car, Toyota Rent a Car, Orix Rent-a-Car, and Ekiren, a subsidiary of Japan Rail.

Keep in mind that you will need an International Driving Permit, which can only be obtained in your home country through the responsible authority.

As large Japanese cities are very densely populated, they had to come up with interesting ideas to tackle traffic challenges. In Tokyo, for example, parking on the streets is not allowed, which contributes to a very unique cityscape and opens up many city planning possibilities. Parking is only possible at designated paid spots, which do not come cheap. If you want to own a car in the city, you have to prove that you have enough space on a private piece of land to park your car. The police actually inspect this before issuing your permit.

This does not mean that cities are car-free – on the contrary, large cities are often criss-crossed by old-school highways and large roads. It is just so that driving in cities is more of a luxury than a common thing to do.

Transportation between cities

Shinkansen bullet train

The most convenient way – and usually the fastest at the same time – for intercity travel is taking Japan’s famous Shinkansen trains. While not cheap, trains are fast, reliable, clean and comfortable, and seeing the world swoosh by at 320 km/h (200 mph) is surely an experience in itself!

How to book tickets for the Shinkansen

With Japan’s slow arrival in the digital age, tickets can now be purchased online on three different portals, depending on the line you wish to book. The best approach is to find the name of the line you need here and choose the ticketing provider accordingly.

• Smart-Ex: Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen
• JR West: Kyushu, Sanyo and Hokuriku Shinkansen
• Eki-net: Hokuriku, Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen

You can buy your tickets one year in advance. It is highly recommended to buy them once your travel plans are finalised, as tickets can sell out quickly, especially around bank holidays!

Ticket prices for popular routes

For your orientation, here are some examples of one-way ticket prices with reserved seats in economy class on the fastest train:

From	To	Price in JPY	Price in EUR/USD
Tokyo	Osaka	¥14.720	€80/$92
Tokyo	Kanazawa	¥14.600	€79/$91
Tokyo	Yamagata	¥11.670	€63/$73
Osaka	Kyoto	¥2.470	€13/$15
Osaka	Hiroshima	¥10.550	€57/$66
Hiroshima	Hakata	¥8.900	€48/$55

As a rule of thumb, the cheapest tickets can be obtained by booking

• online in advance
• ordinary car
• no reserved seat
• slowest train type (if multiple trains run on the same line)

Shinkansen carriage classes

• Ordinary Car: the standard economy carriage type with a 3×2 seating configuration. Seats are lined with plush material and can be rotated so they always face the direction of travel. Each seat can also recline and features a power socket, as well as a tray table and a storage net in front of you.
• Green Car: marked with a green four-leaf clover, these are the first-class carriages. Equipped with a spacious 2×2 wider seating arrangement, they offer all the amenities of the ordinary car, plus a leg rest. Tickets tend to be around 35% more expensive compared to the ordinary car.
• Gran Class: the ultra-luxury travel experience, only available on JR East lines. The premium leather seats are are arranged in a 2×1 setup for even more comfort. Your reservation comes with dedicated attendants and a complimentary meal and beverages. Tickets are around 60%-100% more expensive compared to economy class.

If you are travelling in economy class, you can choose to book either a reserved or a non-reserved seat. Tickets without a reserved seat are cheaper, and passengers can pick any seat they want in dedicated carriages.

Luggage needs to be placed either on the overhead shelves or on the luggage racks located between compartments. You can also choose to reserve seats with an oversized luggage compartment, which is basically some extra space for large suitcases behind your seat.

What to eat during the ride

The food service on the Shinkansen is limited to one or two on-board vending machines, unless you are riding in Gran Class. People usually buy an ekiben at the departure station, which is esentially a bento box designed for long train rides. The turnover of these boxes is extremely high, and each box is prepared fresh in the morning. While you cannot expect a Michelin-star meal, it is definitely an upgrade from the sad & dry sandwiches from your childhood.

Highway buses

If you don’t mind spending more time on the road in exchange for some substantial savings, then highway buses are a great option for you! There are even overnight buses, so you save the hotel costs for one night – you can just drop off your luggage at a locker at your destination, and you are good to go and explore the city until check-in time at your hotel.

Prices vary by level of comfort and amenities offered on the bus, which range from basic 2×2 seaters through “canopy” seats to private sleeping cabins. In many cases, passengers are required to take off their shoes and put on the provided slippers, which alone is a testament to the cleanliness of these buses.

Here is a quick price and travel time comparison:

From	To	Train price	Train travel time	Bus price	Bus travel time
Tokyo	Osaka	¥14.720	2h 30m	¥5.000	9h
Tokyo	Kanazawa	¥14.600	2h 50m	¥4.600	10h
Osaka	Kyoto	¥2.470	24m	¥1.700	2h 30m
Osaka	Hiroshima	¥10.550	1h 25m	¥3.300	5h 50m

You can book tickets online with multiple companies; popular providers include Willer Travel, Kosoku Bus and KANTO Bus (offering DreamSleeper overnight buses).

The Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is a popular ticket that allows you to take almost all JR trains for a flat fee. It is specifically tailored for tourists and is not available to Japanese citizens. The pass is valid for either 7, 14 or 21 days, and you can pick one of the three train classes when purchasing.

You can purchase a pass either in person or online in advance. If you pre-purchase online, you still need to pick up a physical pass at any JR ticket office (available at larger train stations as well as at most airports, including Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita and Kansai International).

You can find the current prices as well as the online booking portal on the official Japan Rail Pass website.

Is the JR Pass worth it?

This is a very frequent question, and rightly so. If your trip includes multiple locations that can be reached by bullet train, then getting a JR Pass is definitely a worthwhile consideration. In essence, the JR Pass allows you to take (almost) any JR train in and between cities for free. The main caveat: the pass is not valid on any other train companys’ lines, meaning that you still have to purchase a ticket for riding the Tokyo Metro, for example.

Also keep in mind that the pass is not valid on the Nozomi and Mizuho trains, which are the fastest and most frequent options on the respective lines. Here, you will have to either take a slower train or purchase an add-on ticket.

As a general rule of thumb, if you only take the Shinkansen once or twice during your visit, it is most probably not worth getting a JR Pass. If you travel more frequently and/or do not mind only using JR trains in bigger cities, then definitely check the ticket prices on the aforementioned booking sites and do a quick calculation.