Public Transportation in Japan: How to Get Around

Our Recommendation: Trains as Public Transportation in Japan

The train is the best and most popular way to get around on a trip through Japan. We — and everyone on our team who has been to Japan — spent most of our time getting around exclusively by train, and we can’t recommend it enough.

The rail network is extremely well developed, and trains are always right on time, clean, comfortable, and generally the fastest way to travel in Japan. What more could you ask for?

Here are the types of trains available:

• Shinkansen: travel at speeds of up to 320 km/h and run between the largest cities on their own dedicated tracks
• JR Limited Express: the second-fastest trains, stopping only at major stations
• Local JR Trains: commuter trains that stop at every station
• Private Railways: independent of the national rail network, often regional or local
• Subways: in cities

Make sure to keep Google Maps handy throughout your trip. You can plan all your journeys on the go with ease, as long as you have it open and an internet connection. The best way to stay connected is with an eSIM for Japan.

Train Tickets

You have two options for train tickets:

• The Japan Rail Pass
• Individual tickets

The Japan Rail Pass is a tourist pass that lets you ride almost all trains in Japan. However, it’s gotten quite expensive and is only worth it if you’re taking the Shinkansen very frequently over long distances. We break down exactly when it makes sense in our Japan Rail Pass guide.

For most trips, we recommend buying individual tickets for the Shinkansen and JR Limited Express instead. You can book them a few days in advance through Klook.

For local trains, the Suica Card is the way to go. It’s a prepaid card that makes paying for rides effortless — it’s free to get, and the fare is deducted automatically every time. We seriously recommend picking one up before you start exploring.

No matter which ticket option you go with, you always scan your ticket when entering and exiting through the gate.

What You Need to Know When Taking the Train

• Punctuality: Trains run to the minute.
• Reservations: You can reserve seats on the Shinkansen and Limited Express — and sometimes you’re required to. Usually there are cars with reserved seats and cars with unreserved seating if you don’t book ahead.
• Car numbers: Marked on the platform floor. Just line up at the correct number.
• Large luggage: Standard-sized suitcases fit in the overhead compartments. For larger bags (when the combined length, width, and height exceed 160 centimeters), you’ll need to reserve a seat.
• Eating: Allowed on the Shinkansen, but not on other trains. For longer rides, grab a bento box at the platform — it’s all part of the experience. ALWAYS take your trash with you.
• Rotating seats: On most trains, you can rotate the seats 180 degrees using a foot pedal or button.

Buses as Public Transportation in Japan

Buses are a great complement to trains in Japan. They’re usually slower, but they reach areas that trains simply don’t.

Overnight buses are also the cheapest option for longer distances.

Here are the types of buses available:

• City buses
• Long-distance buses
• Overnight buses

When Is Taking the Bus in Japan Better Than Taking the Train?

Buses are especially useful in mountain regions, small towns, and Kyoto, where many places are only accessible by bus, taxi, or Uber.

You can also take the bus if you want to reach the most beautiful sights in Japan as cheaply as possible. That said, the price difference usually isn’t that huge.

Otherwise, trains are always significantly faster and more comfortable than buses. When we have the choice, we’d always go with the train.

Bus Tickets

In cities, fares are always flat rates. You pay them easily with your Suica Card — just scan it when you board, not when you exit.

Long-distance and overnight buses are booked online. We recommend Klook for this. When you book online, a seat reservation is always included.

Book long-distance and overnight buses on Klook

What You Need to Know When Taking the Bus in Japan

• Boarding: Depending on the region, you board at the front or the back.
• Long-distance buses: Suitcases go in the luggage compartment; carry-on bags come with you on board.
• Restrooms: Long-distance buses often (but not always!) have an onboard restroom.
• Punctuality: Buses are reliable, but can take longer than trains when there’s traffic.

Flights for Getting Around Japan

There are plenty of domestic flights between Japan’s larger cities (e.g., Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima). These are often cheaper than the Shinkansen — but they’re generally not faster, since airports are usually located a bit outside the city.

The largest airlines for domestic flights are All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.

When Is Flying in Japan Better Than Taking the Train?

Flying makes the most sense for longer distances — for example, if you want to travel from the main island to Hokkaidō in the north or to the Ryūkyū Islands in the south.

For shorter hops on the main island, we’d stick with trains as your go-to public transportation in Japan.

Flight Tickets

We always compare flights on Skyscanner.

Keep in mind that prices shown typically include carry-on luggage only. You’ll pay an extra fee for checked baggage.

Compare domestic flights in Japan on Skyscanner

What You Need to Know When Flying in Japan

• Bad weather: Keep an eye on the weather in Hokkaidō (snowstorms in winter) and Okinawa (typhoon season in summer).
• Airport transfers: You’ll need to factor these in separately — account for both the time and the cost.

Ferries as Public Transportation in Japan

Japan is made up of a very, very large number of islands. So naturally, ferries play an important role in how to travel around Japan.

Ferries here are often very affordable and relaxed. Depending on the route, you’ll find everything from small speedboats to large overnight ferries.

When Are Ferries in Japan Better Than Trains?

Ferries are especially worth it when you’re island hopping, or heading to destinations that aren’t easily reachable by train.

On a classic trip around Japan, for example, you’ll take the ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima.

Ferry Tickets

Short routes like the Hiroshima–Miyajima ferry can be bought on-site at the ticket counter. That route is also one of the few ferries included in the Japan Rail Pass. For most others, you’ll need individual tickets.

Longer routes should be booked in advance online through Klook.

Book ferries online on Klook

What You Need to Know About Ferries in Japan

• Departure times: Ferries also run very punctually. Arrive at the terminal 15–25 minutes before departure.
• Bad weather: In strong winds or during winter around Hokkaidō, trips can sometimes be canceled on short notice.
• Luggage: Large suitcases are no problem. Most ferries have luggage storage areas.

Rental Cars for Getting Around Japan

Honestly, a rental car isn’t worth it for a classic round trip. Cities and all the major highlights are easily accessible by train, bus, and ferry. And the Shinkansen is often twice as fast as driving.

There’s also a lot to keep in mind: you’ll need a Japanese translation of your driver’s license (an international driver’s license isn’t enough), traffic drives on the left side of the road, cities can be really chaotic for drivers, and renting a car can push your Japan travel costs well above what public transportation would.

So when it comes to the rental car vs. train question, we only recommend renting a car if you’re heading to truly remote areas.

Getting Around in Cities

City transit in Japan is also extremely well developed. Trains, subways, and buses often come every few minutes.

For navigation, just rely on Google Maps. That’s what we did, and it worked perfectly every time.

Do try to avoid rush hour if you can, though. Especially in Tokyo, public transportation gets absolutely packed. During cherry blossom season, it gets even more crowded than usual.

Our tip: For getting around Japan’s cities, make sure to grab the Suica Card. You can use it to pay for most rides in the city — super convenient.