GETTING AROUND JAPAN

BEST WAY TO TRAVEL

Getting Around Japan: What Is the Best Way to Travel?

Think of your transport in two parts: journeys between destinations and journeys within them. You might take the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto, a subway to reach your hotel and a bus for a sightseeing stop. A rail pass doesn’t replace every ticket on that route.

Your journey	Options to compare	What matters
Between major cities	Shinkansen or other intercity trains	Individual fares versus eligible rail passes
Within a city	Local trains, subways, buses and walking	Station location, operator and IC card acceptance
Longer journeys on a budget	Highway or overnight buses	Total travel time, comfort and baggage allowance
Across distant regions	Domestic flights versus trains	Airport transfers, baggage charges and door-to-door time
Countryside stops	Local trains and buses, or a rental car	Service frequency and access beyond the station

The best way of getting around Japan is usually a mix rather than one system. Pick the option that fits each leg first, and only then check whether a pass or card makes those legs cheaper or simpler.

OUR ROUTE

How We Traveled Around Japan

Cara, Nomus, Noah and I traveled from Tokyo to Karuizawa by Shinkansen, then explored central Japan by car. Our road trip included Saku, the Mount Fuji area, Iiyama, Jigokudani and the Nakasendo post towns, before continuing through Nagoya and Nara to Kyoto. Combining a train journey with a car let us include countryside stops alongside the cities.

For your own trip, start with the places you want to see and check the connections between them. Our route is an example of mixing transport, not a reason to book a car for every Japan vacation. You can see the places we visited in my Mount Fuji Day Trip guide and my Nakasendo Trail guide.

Ticket information checked: October 15, 2026. Prices below are published adult pass prices, not what we paid on our trip. Individual train fares depend on the journey, service, seat and travel date.

IC CARDS

Japan Transport Cards: Suica, PASMO and ICOCA

An IC card is a rechargeable payment card: you add money, then use it to pay for eligible journeys. A rail pass is different, because it covers specified services for a set period. Having an IC card doesn’t mean your rides are free, and having a JR Pass doesn’t cover every metro or bus.

Which IC Card Should You Choose?

Suica, PASMO and ICOCA belong to different regional transport systems, but because they work across each other’s networks you usually don’t need a new card each time you move between major cities. Choose an available card that suits your arrival point and device. Check for the IC symbol on the service you want to use, since some rural transport uses different payment arrangements. The official IC card guide explains where these cards fit into a trip.

Buying and Topping Up a Physical Card

Use the issuer’s listed sales locations, such as participating station machines or counters. Availability, deposits and refund rules depend on the product. To add money, look for a compatible machine marked for charging, and follow its payment instructions.

Keep some cash on hand rather than assuming a foreign bank card can recharge every physical IC card. A visitor card can also have different conditions from a regular card: the physical Welcome Suica, for example, is valid for 28 days and its remaining balance isn’t refundable. Read JR East’s Welcome Suica details before loading more than you expect to spend.

Physical or Mobile IC Card?

A mobile card can save you carrying another ticket, provided your phone and payment method are supported. Check the issuer’s current compatibility instructions before relying on it, especially if your phone was bought outside Japan. Mobile and physical products can have different validity and refund rules, so don’t assume they are interchangeable versions of the same offer.

Using Your Card at the Gate

For a typical local rail journey, tap in and tap out with the same card or device. Keep enough balance for the fare, and ask staff if a gate rejects it. Each traveler normally needs their own ticket or card; one card isn’t a shared group pass.

A standard IC card balance also doesn’t replace a long-distance Shinkansen booking. Some ticketing services let you link a compatible card to a separately purchased reservation, but you still need to buy that journey. For everyday city rides, though, the card does most of the work of getting around Japan for you.

TRAINS AND METRO

How to Use Local Trains and the Metro in Japan

Local trains and the metro do most of the heavy lifting when getting around Japan’s cities. Metro and subway both refer to urban rail systems. JR, metro operators and private railways can all appear in the same route search, but their tickets and passes don’t necessarily cover the same services. Choose the connection that gets you closest to your destination rather than making every journey fit one operator.

Reading a Route and Finding Your Platform

Check the departure station, operator, line, direction and departure time, then compare the platform display with your route. Local, rapid and express services can have different stopping patterns, so a train on the correct line may still skip your station. At a transfer, follow the signs for the next line and leave enough time to walk between platforms.

A route with one train followed by a metro connection, for example, means checking both legs separately. Look for any ticket gate you need to leave, any extra fare and the exit nearest your destination. The shortest train ride isn’t always the easiest complete journey.

Paper Tickets and Station Exits

If you use a paper ticket, keep it until the end of the journey, because the exit gate may collect it. If you are unsure about a transfer or fare adjustment, ask station staff before leaving. Large stations can have many exits, and choosing the right one can save a considerable walk.

Group nearby sights before planning your transport. My Things to Do in Tokyo and Things to Do in Kyoto guides help you decide which neighborhoods to explore together.

Last Trains, Busy Periods and Step-Free Access

Check the final usable connection for your route and date, especially after an evening out, and don’t plan around a universal closing time for Japan’s trains. Allow more room for busy stations, luggage and unfamiliar transfers. If you need elevators or step-free access, check the station map and the right entrance before traveling.

BUSES

Using Buses in Japan

Buses are an underrated part of getting around Japan, and they come in two very different kinds. Local buses handle short hops around a town or out to a sight, while highway buses cover long distances between cities.

Local Buses: Boarding and Paying

Local buses often cover the final stretch to a sightseeing stop or somewhere beyond the rail network. Check the destination display and the signs for boarding and payment. Door arrangements and fares vary: some services use a flat fare, while others charge by distance.

If the bus uses numbered paper tickets, take one when boarding and match its number to the fare display when you get off. On an IC-compatible service, follow the instructions for when to tap. Keep cash available because not every bus accepts the same card, and the official train and bus guide explains these systems.

Press the stop button as your stop approaches and give yourself time to get ready. For a countryside outing, check the return service before leaving; a short distance on a map can still have infrequent connections.

Highway and Overnight Buses

Highway buses connect destinations over longer distances and usually need their own ticket or reservation. Compare the boarding point, arrival location, seat type and luggage allowance as well as the fare. An overnight service can save a night’s accommodation, but be honest about how well you’ll actually sleep before a full day of plans.

Book with the operator or an authorized service, and read the cancellation and check-in instructions. Don’t assume an IC card or nationwide rail pass covers the journey just because it’s public transport.

SHINKANSEN

Traveling Between Cities: Shinkansen and Limited-Express Trains

The Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed railway network, commonly called the bullet train. It connects major cities on dedicated high-speed routes, while local and limited-express trains take you to many smaller destinations. The first line, the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, opened in 1964, according to JR Central’s introduction to the Shinkansen.

“Shinkansen” describes the network rather than one particular train. Names such as Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama and Asama refer to services running on particular lines, and knowing both the line and the service helps you choose a train that stops where you need it to. For longer distances, it’s the backbone of getting around Japan.

Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka: The Tokaido Shinkansen

The Tokaido Shinkansen is the route many first-time visitors use, connecting Tokyo and Shinagawa with Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. Nozomi makes fewer stops and is generally the fastest option; Hikari stops at more stations, while Kodama stops at every station along its route. Check the actual journey rather than choosing by train name alone.

For Osaka, pay attention to the station name. The Shinkansen arrives at Shin-Osaka, which is different from Osaka Station and the Namba area. Allow time for the onward connection to your hotel or to the places in my Things to Do in Osaka guide.

Tokyo, Karuizawa and Nagano: The Hokuriku Shinkansen

We took the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa, which is a different line from the one heading toward Kyoto. When booking Karuizawa, look for a service that explicitly lists it as a stop, such as an Asama or a suitable Hakutaka departure. The faster Kagayaki services don’t stop there.

A train journey followed by a road trip can work well when you want to explore beyond the main stations. Our onward route included the towns in my Nakasendo Trail guide, where reaching the town and reaching a particular trailhead are separate transport questions.

Limited-Express Trains and Smaller Destinations

A limited-express train isn’t necessarily a bullet train. These services connect places outside the high-speed network and can require a supplement or a reservation, so check the service shown in your route and buy the complete ticket it requires. For Nara, use conventional rail connections; the city doesn’t have a Shinkansen station.

How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets

For the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, SmartEX is an official booking service, useful for journeys such as Tokyo to Kyoto and Tokyo to Shin-Osaka. For eastern Japan, including the Hokuriku route toward Karuizawa and Nagano, use the booking options provided by JR East.

The booking service needs to match the route. SmartEX isn’t the booking system for every bullet train in Japan, and a reservation confirmation isn’t always the document you use at the gate. Follow the instructions for collecting paper tickets or using the supported digital boarding method.

You can also buy tickets at a JR ticket office or a reserved-seat ticket machine. Have your departure station, destination, date and preferred time ready. For a first journey, a ticket office can be helpful if you need seats together or a luggage-space reservation.

Shinkansen fares combine a basic fare and a high-speed service charge. A booking may bundle these, while paper tickets can be issued in more than one part. Keep everything you are given and follow the gate instructions rather than assuming one of the tickets is unnecessary.

Reserved Seats and Travel Classes

A reserved ticket gives you a specified seat on a particular departure. A non-reserved ticket uses designated cars where offered, with no guarantee of a seat, and some services are entirely reserved.

Book ahead if you want seats together, are traveling during a busy holiday period or need an oversized-baggage area. Green Cars offer more space on eligible services, while ordinary class is the standard option.

Boarding the Shinkansen

Arrive with enough time to find the Shinkansen gates, particularly at a large station such as Tokyo. Check the departure board for your train number, departure time and platform, then find the marked boarding position for your car. Line up there and let passengers get off before you board.

Your ticket or reservation tells you the car and seat if you have reserved one. Keep your ticket or pass accessible throughout the journey, including when you leave the destination station. If you are using a digital booking, follow that service’s boarding instructions rather than switching between QR codes, paper tickets and an IC card without checking.

JR PASS

Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It for Your Itinerary?

My advice is to calculate first. Add up the individual fares for the eligible journeys within your proposed pass period, using the same seat class you would otherwise book. Compare that total with the pass price plus any supplements and the transport the pass excludes. If the individual tickets cost less, the pass isn’t saving you money.

Don’t inflate the calculation with journeys you would never take just to make a pass look worthwhile. Likewise, a short local ride and an expensive intercity journey shouldn’t carry the same weight in your decision. A pass can make getting around Japan more convenient, but convenience is a separate benefit from a financial saving.

For a Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Trip

A simple journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, followed by Osaka, isn’t automatically a good reason to buy the nationwide JR Pass. The Kyoto to Osaka connection can often be made on an ordinary train, and your local sightseeing may involve subways or private railways. Price both a one-way itinerary and a return-to-Tokyo itinerary if you haven’t booked your flights yet, because that return journey changes the comparison.

Before choosing a pass for a longer route, put the major travel days into your itinerary. Long gaps between train journeys can make individual tickets more sensible than paying for pass days you barely use.

For a Trip That Includes a Rental Car

Our Tokyo to Karuizawa train journey was followed by several days driving through central Japan. For this kind of route, count only the rail journeys the pass would replace. It doesn’t pay for the rental car, fuel, tolls or parking, and the days spent driving still fall within the pass’s fixed validity period.

I haven’t used our trip as a worked fare calculation here because I don’t have the original ticket totals to compare. The useful lesson is the route itself: mixing trains and a car can make sense, but it makes a nationwide rail pass less useful during the driving portion.

Current JR Pass Prices

Where you buy matters. The official Japan Rail Pass price table currently lists the following adult prices, per person. Ordinary means standard-class travel; Green means the more spacious Green Car on eligible services.

Pass	Official site: Ordinary	Official site: Green	Overseas agency: Ordinary	Overseas agency: Green
7 days	approx. ¥50,000	approx. ¥70,000	approx. ¥53,000	approx. ¥74,000
14 days	approx. ¥80,000	approx. ¥110,000	approx. ¥84,000	approx. ¥116,000
21 days	approx. ¥100,000	approx. ¥140,000	approx. ¥105,000	approx. ¥147,000

Check the final amount before paying, including any seller fees or currency conversion. A three-week vacation doesn’t necessarily require a 21-day pass: the important question is how many consecutive days contain the journeys you want it to cover.

What Does the JR Pass Cover?

The nationwide pass covers many JR local trains, limited-express trains and eligible Shinkansen services. It generally doesn’t cover municipal subways or private railway journeys, so don’t assume that every train shown in a route planner is included. The official coverage guide explains the exceptions and additional charges.

Can You Use Nozomi and Mizuho With the JR Pass?

You can, but only with a separate special ticket bought before boarding and used alongside a valid pass, so they aren’t included at no extra cost. To avoid that supplement on the Tokaido route, look at eligible Hikari or Kodama services instead.

The published adult special-ticket price between Tokyo and Kyoto or Shin-Osaka, for example, is approx. ¥4,960 per journey. Check the segment and conditions in the official Nozomi and Mizuho ticket guide before adding it to your budget.

Does the Pass Cover Mount Fuji and Kawaguchiko?

Not the whole journey to Kawaguchiko. The Fuji Excursion is a limited-express train, not a Shinkansen, and the Fujikyu Railway section between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko is outside the nationwide JR Pass coverage. You need to account for the additional fare and charges.

Also, Shin-Fuji Station isn’t the station for Lake Kawaguchiko. Choose the side of the mountain you want to visit before choosing your transport; my Mount Fuji Day Trip guide covers the viewpoints around the lake area.

Regional Rail Passes

A regional pass is worth checking when your journeys stay within one part of Japan. It can have a lower price and different coverage from the nationwide pass, but the boundary, included trains and validity rules vary. Read the map rather than deciding from the pass’s name.

For travel around Nagano and eastern Japan, compare the options in JR East’s pass finder. For a trip based around Kyoto and Osaka with travel farther west, look at JR West’s regional passes. Some regional passes have different Nozomi rules, so don’t apply the nationwide pass restrictions to every product.

The Hokuriku Arch Pass is another option for a route between Tokyo and Kyoto or Osaka through the Hokuriku region. It is designed around that northern route and doesn’t include the direct Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto. Choose it because the covered route matches your trip, not because it looks like a discounted version of the nationwide pass.

Check pass eligibility before paying. Choose the start date around eligible travel, remember that validity runs on consecutive days and keep your passport with you. Reservations for included services are normally free, but the pass itself doesn’t guarantee a seat; the official reservation guide explains the process.

TAXIS AND AIRPORTS

Taxis and Airport Transfers in Japan

A taxi is rarely the cheapest way of getting around Japan, but it can be useful for the final stretch from a station, for traveling with luggage or for reaching somewhere with limited public transport. Compare the full journey cost with the available train or bus connection, especially over longer distances. For an airport arrival, choose your transfer around your accommodation and arrival time rather than assuming the fastest train is always the easiest option.

Check the last departure if your flight lands late, and allow time for immigration and collecting luggage. An airport bus that stops near your hotel may be more convenient than a rail journey with several changes. Private transfers are another option if you value a direct journey; confirm the pickup arrangements and final price before booking.

Arranging a Taxi

Use a taxi stand, ask your accommodation to help or check a booking app. JNTO lists English-language options including GO, Uber, DiDi and S.RIDE, although availability varies by location. Have the destination address ready and check payment options before setting off; the official taxi guide covers the practical details.

CARS, FLIGHTS AND FERRIES

Rental Cars, Flights, Ferries and Bicycles

Most of getting around Japan happens on rails, but not all of it. These are the options worth comparing when trains don’t reach where you’re going or the distances get long.

Renting a Car for the Countryside

A car can be useful when your stops are spread out and local connections are infrequent. That’s how we explored central Japan after arriving in Karuizawa by train. Compare the shared rental cost, fuel, tolls and parking with public transport for your group, rather than treating the rental rate as the full cost.

Check the driving documents required for your license before booking, because requirements depend on where it was issued. Japan accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, while licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead. The official car rental guidance explains what to check.

Domestic Flights

For destinations far apart, compare flying with the full train journey. Include airport transfers, check-in time, baggage charges and the location of the arrival airport, because a short flight doesn’t necessarily mean a shorter door-to-door trip. Book around the places you actually want to visit rather than choosing a flight just because the headline fare looks cheap.

Ferries and Island Travel

For an island visit, a ferry may be part of the route rather than an alternative to the train. Check the departure port, sailing times and onward transport at your destination. Allow flexibility where a sailing is essential to your itinerary, and check if your ticket covers a passenger only or a vehicle too. Japan’s official transportation overview is a good starting point for comparing the options.

Bicycles and Walking

Walking is useful for exploring a compact neighborhood without repeated short rides. A rental bicycle can suit a larger area if the route and local conditions work for you. Check the rental provider’s rules, designated parking and return arrangements before setting out, and follow local cycling guidance rather than treating every sidewalk as a bike lane.

APPS AND LUGGAGE

Apps, Luggage and Practical Transport Planning

The last part of getting around Japan is everything that never makes it onto a ticket: apps, bags, seat choices and traveling with a child. None of it is complicated, but each one is easier to sort out before you reach the platform.

Route-Planning Apps

Google Maps, Japan Travel by NAVITIME and Japan Transit Planner by Jorudan are all useful for looking up connections. Enter your actual date and departure time, then check the operator, transfers and total fare. NAVITIME’s visitor app also offers planning features designed for travelers.

A route result isn’t proof that your pass covers every leg. Check any pass filter and confirm exclusions with the issuer. For an essential rural connection, compare the result with the operator’s timetable, and recheck before traveling if weather or disruption could affect the service.

Luggage Storage and Forwarding

Traveling with fewer bags makes transfers easier. Check station lockers or staffed storage if you want to explore before checking in, since availability and size limits vary.

If you use luggage forwarding, confirm collection and delivery dates with the provider and your accommodation, and keep essentials with you until it arrives. Don’t assume every destination can receive a bag the same day.

Shinkansen Luggage Rules

Measure your suitcase by adding its height, width and depth. On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, baggage totaling more than 160 cm and up to 250 cm requires a seat with an oversized-baggage area, and that reservation doesn’t add a luggage charge to the reserved-seat fare. Bring a bag that size aboard without one and you pay a fee of approx. ¥1,000, while anything over 250 cm can’t come aboard at all.

Smaller bags can go in the overhead racks or at your feet without blocking the aisle. Some trains also have shared storage near the doors, but this doesn’t remove the reservation requirement for oversized suitcases. Don’t put a bag in the reserved space behind another passenger’s seat without the matching booking.

The official luggage guide also explains the arrangements for strollers and other bulky equipment. Check with the operator for other routes, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, rather than assuming every line uses the same system.

Food and Transport Etiquette

Eating a boxed meal on a long-distance Shinkansen is a normal part of the journey. Station ekiben are a lovely way to try regional food while you travel, and my What to Eat in Japan guide has more ideas for what to look for.

Keep conversations quiet, use headphones and avoid phone calls at your seat. Take trash to the right bin or keep it with you, and be considerate when reclining. My Japan Dos and Don’ts guide covers the wider everyday habits that help when traveling.

Which Side Should You Sit On to See Mount Fuji?

On the Tokaido Shinkansen, choose the Mount Fuji side of the train if the view matters to you. In the usual ordinary-car layout, the E window seat is the one to look for, and traveling from Tokyo toward Kyoto and Osaka it’s on the right-hand side. Check the seat map when booking.

The view depends on cloud cover, and the mountain is only visible for part of the journey. It is a bonus rather than a replacement for spending time around Fuji. Our Hokuriku journey to Karuizawa followed a different route, so this seat advice doesn’t apply to that trip.

Child Tickets

Child fares generally apply to ages six to eleven. On SmartEX, up to two children under six can travel free with each adult when they don’t use their own seat, but a child ticket is needed once they have their own reserved seat. Check the child ticket rules for your journey before booking.

If you want a young child to have a seat, include that in the booking from the beginning. For families, seats together and a manageable luggage plan are often more useful priorities than choosing the most expensive class.

Getting around Japan rewards a little planning more than a lot of tickets. Work out each leg, choose the card, pass or booking that fits it, and leave room for the countryside connections that don’t run every ten minutes.

KEEP EXPLORING

More Japan Guides

Now that getting around Japan is sorted, here’s where to go. These guides cover the stops along our route, from Mount Fuji and the Nakasendo to Tokyo and everything we ate on the way, and the full route lives in my Japan Travel Guide.