Getting around Japan

train in Japan
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Updated 2022-12-21 13:22

When one thinks of transportation in Japan, the first things that come to mind are punctuality, efficiency, modernity, cleanliness and ease of access. Could the perfect transportation system be found in the Land of the Rising Sun? Here is an overview of the different means of transportation available in Japan.

Transportation in Japan

If you live in a big city, then every means of transport is at your disposal, be they bus, subway, train, etc. It's recommended that you use public transport instead of your car. Parking spaces are few and far apart, and the fees are quite high. It is no surprise that transportation is less diversified in small villages and outlying areas, but it is definitely there. For a better experience of your everyday life in Japan, avoid comparing everything to Tokyo (which is not Japan), and find out about the types of transportation in your area.

Hokkaido

You will only realize how huge Hokkaido is when you decide to go on a road trip. The island alone is about the size of Austria. In town, you will find mainly trains, buses and cabs. If you want to connect with other cities at a discounted price, you should consider using buses. If you are in a hurry, opt for the Shinkansen. Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido (the island is also a prefecture), is better served by subway, train, bus and taxis.

Okinawa

The fastest way to travel to Okinawa  is by plane. The trip takes about 2 hours and costs between 14,000 and 44,000 yen (depending on the season, the options chosen, etc.). But the plane is not the only way to go there. You can also choose to go by train and ferry. But this time, the journey will take days: 2, if not more, depending on your departure point. Once you arrive in Okinawa, you can choose between monorail, bus, or cab. You can rent a car or a bicycle. Many people say that it is better to have a driver's license in Okinawa, especially if you want to go far from Naha, the capital. To move around the archipelago and reach the small islands, opt for the ferry.

Japanese countryside

In small countryside towns, it is better to have a driver's license. Of course, there is always the option of a bicycle, bus or cab. You can get to these remote towns by train, but to get around the countryside, you will find very few public transportation options. In these regions, bus services are not always available as they are in medium and large cities.

Useful links:

Transportation in Sapporo 

Getting around Okinawa 

Trains in Japan

Japan has an excellent rail network used by the company Japan Rail and other private rail companies that share an ultra-competitive market. With heated seats in winter, air conditioning in summer, cleanliness, modern infrastructure, everything is done for the passengers' comfort. The Japanese train service is one of the best in the world and one of the preferred modes of transportation of Japanese people.

Train or subway?

Don't be surprised if you get confused between the train and the subway. They look very similar. The same goes for the stations. In big cities, trains and subways are intertwined. You can tell them apart by their names. Trains start with JR for "Japan Railways" and the Metro service ends with "LINE".  

Examples of train lines: the famous JR Yamanote in Tokyo, or the JR Osaka Loop Line.

Examples of subway lines: the Karasuma Line in Kyoto, or the Hakozaki Line in Fukuoka.

The Shinkansen

The Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed train, is the pride of the country. Its 9 lines connect all of Japan. There are, in fact, different types of Shinkansen: fast trains, which only serve the major stations; semi-fast trains, which stop at intermediate stations; and local trains, which serve all stations. 

Ticket prices depend on the type of train (local, fast, limited express, etc.) and the distance traveled. Tickets can be purchased at ticket vending machines (all of which have English translations) or at ticket offices located near the station doors. You can also buy special packages to save money or use a prepaid smart card like the Suica or Pasmo card to save time. 

The Shinkansen is also a way of life. People love it for its comfort, its efficiency... and its "ekiben". The word comes from "eki" (station) and "ben" from "bento", the lunch basket. The ekiben, or ekibento, is a lunch basket that you buy at the station. Moreover, Japanese stations compete with each other to offer the best regional dishes, all presented with utmost care. It is, therefore, impossible to find the same train meal. There would be more than 2000 different ones, as good as beautiful, and very affordable. Enough to turn a simple train trip into a gourmet escapade.

Useful links:

West Japan Railway Company

East Japan Railway Company

Central Japan Railway Company

Hokkaido Railway Company

JR Osaka Loop Line

Tokyo Metro

Kyoto subway

Fukuoka subway

Shinkansen Bullet Trains

Overview of ekiben (link in Japanese)

Buses in Japan

City bus

In the big cities, you can choose between the subway, the train and the bus. You can choose between several means of transportation for a route. Depending on the distance, taking the bus may be more advantageous. In more remote areas, the bus will become your only option along with the bicycle and cab. Schedules are more likely to be less regular than in larger cities. 

For long distances, the bus is also a good alternative (coach, long distance bus). You can find a Tokyo-Osaka trip at around 5000 yen by bus, against more than double by Shinkansen. But the Shinkansen will take you there in nearly two hours and a halfvwhile the bus takes 8 hours.

Long distance bus 

For long-distance trips, you have the choice between day and night buses. Tickets can be purchased on the websites of bus companies or at the ticket office of the station serving your stop (depending on the station). Long-distance buses are very comfortable, even the most discounted ones. The highest quality buses have wider seats, and other comfort options (blankets, etc.)

Useful links:

Highway Buses

Tokyo Bus

Hokkaido Bus Kyokai

Osaka Bus

Kanagawa Bus

Willer Bus

Taxis in Japan

Taxis compete fiercely with other, less expensive means of transportation in large cities. But when the last train/subway has passed, taxis can turn out to be really helpful. In small towns, they make it easier for people who don't have a driver's license to travel. There is even a special service for pregnant women, with drivers trained by midwives. 

Like other modes of transportation, Japanese cabs are known for their punctuality, modernity and cleanliness. The drivers are polite and helpful. Comfort and service are the reasons for the cost of the trip. You can book your cab on the Internet or by phone. Also, consider apps like Japan Taxi and Tokyo Musen, which have English translations (after downloading).

International Taxi

What if you don't speak Japanese? You are always advised to learn some basic words and expressions to facilitate communication with locals, and to write down the address where you want to go. In the same spirit, some Japanese companies are also making a step towards foreigners. The taxi company Hinomaru, for instance, has launched a vast campaign to recruit foreign drivers, to allow a real exchange between all users. Hinomaru now has foreign drivers from 53 different countries, including Brazil, Kenya, France, the United States and China.

Useful links:

Working in Hinomaru 

KM Group

MK Taxi

Taxi Auto Fare

Air travel in Japan

For long domestic trips, air flights can be more convenient and economical than taking a high-speed train. It may be even faster, but it is still less environmentally friendly. But you can still reach remote destinations like Okinawa without by other means of transport such as the train, long-distance bus and ferry. If you are not in a hurry, try the adventure. 

Useful links:

Peach Airlines

Jetstar Airlines

Japan Airlines

All Nippon Airlines

Japan Air Commuter (link in Japanese)

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.