Getting Around in Japan - A guide to transportation
As someone from small town USA I am always stunned by how well public transportation is in Japan. To help you take advantage of this well-running infrastructure, here are some tips from my time as a resident:
Bullet Trains
Traveling at high speeds across several routes in Japan the Shinkanesen, or Bullet Train, is a the ultimate travel experience.
Here’s what you need to know:
Luggage:
Reservations must be made for large luggage over (50 cm wide + 80 cm H + 30 cm D) 3. Reserve a luggage compartment between cars if your baggage is 80 x 60 x 50 cm Tip: Luggage courier services like Yamato Transport can ship your luggage at a very reasonable rate.
I’ve used for Yamato Transport business and personal travel and have been satisfied each time! It can also be very freeing to be relieved of clunky baggage while you dash through train stations and settle in for a cross-country ride.
Cars and seating:
Seating can be divided two ways: Reserved & Unreserved
Shinkansen typically have 3 unreserved cars with the remaining cars requiring reservation and being offered from ordinary car to the Green car (first class). Unreserved cars are first come first serve.
Ticket prices vary based on distance traveled and class reserved.
JR Passes
One of my favorite tools for a trip to Japan is the Japan Rail (JR) pass. The JR pass allows you to access rail travel across Japan. 2. Used on all JR lines and the Miyajima ferry 3. Not for use on private subway lines 4. Prices are set in increments of days at 7, 14, and 21. Find them on Klook!
While I love the JR pass, it’s important to price out tickets a la carte to compare. Unless you are taking several rail shinkansen trips it is not necessarily the best option for you. Additionally, there are other regional passes available that may suite your needs more affordably so be sure to do the math on that before you go.
Trains & Subways, Busses, and Street Cars
Use an IC card on trains, subways, busses, and street cars Trains in larger cities have women only cars Google Maps works, just be mindful of the station exit that it recommends as busy stations in places like Tokyo can have several exits (looking at you, Harajuku Station) English signs and voiceovers indicate stops. Not all signs will be digitized and updated through the ride to indicate progress, so monitor signage for upcoming stops.
If exiting a train car, it’s important to be ready and waiting at the door before the train comes to a stop. Efficient transportation systems like this require participation from everyone to continue running smoothly.
Buses will typically have buttons to push to request the driver stop at the next stop. Be sure that button is pressed or the driver will pass the stop if they don't see there is someone to pick up. These buttons are usually red-ish and are mounted on walls and grip poles all over the bus for easy access.
**Accessibility note: Priority seats are available on public transportation for those with limited mobility or impairments. They are typically located nearest the door and marked with signage and sometimes distinguishing seat colors.
Overnight Buses
If you want to save money on accommodations and get to your next city affordably, consider the overnight bus! Busses like the Willer Express will give you a comfortable seat with charging space and periodic stops throughout the evening to stretch your legs or use the restroom. In the morning you’ll arrive at your destination ready to start your day in a new city. I highly recommend this for budget travelers! If you don’t want to deal with clunky luggage all day, consider using Yamato transport or a coin locker conveniently located at the train or bus station.
Flying & Low Cost Carriers
While the Shinkansen is certainly a romantic way to traverse the county, it’s not exactly convenient if you’re going from Hokkaido to Fukuoka or similar.
Walking Despite how amazing public transportation can be in Japan, you'll still be doing a fair amount of walking.
Here's what you need to know:
Choose footwear wisely! Choose something comfortable that you can put some miles on, and be sure to break in new shoes before you go
You will be walking A LOT. Usually 20+ Thousand steps each day if you like to stay busy. While public transportation is robust, you can't always reach the exact A to B point using public transportation without a few steps in between.
You will need to remove your shoes when entering a home or temple. There are always either shoe cubbies or bags to store your shoes while you are inside of a temple. Even in your hotel room you may find a pair of single-use room slippers.
Accessibility Note: There are not always escalators or even elevators available in train stations which can be very limiting for those that need these things to get around.
No matter which combination of ways you choose to get around — I hope you have a delightful time.
