Japan has one of the most advanced transportation networks in the world, with high-speed bullet trains, affordable buses, extensive metro systems, and unique transport options like ferries and bicycles. Here’s a complete guide to the best ways to travel in Japan, including fun, price, and best routes.
✈️ Plane – Best for Long Distances (North to South)
Fun: 🛫 Medium (Fast, but you miss the scenery)
Price: 💰💰💰 (Expensive last-minute, but budget airlines help)
Best for: Traveling between distant cities like Tokyo → Sapporo or Osaka → Okinawa
- Pros: Fastest way for long distances
- Cons: Trains are often just as fast when considering airport travel time
- Best Airlines: ANA, JAL, Peach, Jetstar Japan, Skymark
✈️ Example: Tokyo → Sapporo (~1.5-hour flight, $50–$200 USD) vs. Shinkansen (~8 hours, $150 USD)
👉 Pro Tip: Use budget airlines like Peach or Jetstar for cheap domestic flights!
🚆 Train – Best for Speed, Comfort & Convenience
Fun: 🚄 Very High (Super fast, smooth, scenic)
Price: 💰💰💰 (Expensive but worth it)
Best for: Traveling between cities and scenic countryside trips
- Pros: Shinkansen (bullet trains) are incredibly fast and comfortable!
- Cons: Expensive, unless you have a JR Pass
- Best Train Routes:
- Tokyo → Kyoto (2.5 hours, amazing Mount Fuji views!)
- Osaka → Hiroshima (1.5 hours, quick & easy!)
- Tokyo → Hokkaido (Scenic northern landscapes!)
🚆 Example: Tokyo → Kyoto Shinkansen (~$120 USD, 2.5 hours)
👉 How to save money?
- Get a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) for unlimited train travel (7-day pass ~$275 USD).
- Use local trains (JR, Metro) for cheaper travel.
🚌 Bus – Cheapest for Budget Travel & Night Trips
Fun: 🏞️ Medium (Scenic but longer than trains)
Price: 💰 (Cheaper than trains, best for budget travelers)
Best for: Traveling between cities & reaching small towns
- Pros: Very cheap, overnight buses save hotel costs
- Cons: Longer travel times, less comfort than trains
- Best Bus Companies: Willer Express, JR Bus, Keio Bus
🚌 Example: Tokyo → Kyoto night bus (~8 hours, $30–$50 USD)
👉 Pro Tip: Use Willer Bus Pass for unlimited rides (3 days ~$100 USD)!
🚗 Car – Best for Rural Areas & Scenic Drives
Fun: 🚙 Very High (Ultimate freedom, stunning countryside)
Price: 💰💰💰 (Rentals, fuel, tolls add up)
Best for: Exploring Hokkaido, Mount Fuji, Kyushu, Okinawa
- Pros: Best for hidden gems & scenic routes
- Cons: Expensive tolls, difficult parking in cities
- Best Road Trips:
- Fuji Five Lakes (Tokyo → Kawaguchiko → Fuji!)
- Hokkaido (Sapporo → Furano → Biei, stunning landscapes!)
- Okinawa Island Drive (Beach paradise!)
🚗 Example: Renting a car in Tokyo (~$50–$100 USD/day + fuel & tolls)
👉 Pro Tip: Japan has left-hand driving! Also, many rural areas require an International Driving Permit (IDP).
🚖 Taxi & Ride-Sharing – Best for Short City Trips
Fun: 🚕 Medium (Comfortable but very expensive)
Price: 💰💰💰💰 (Most expensive option)
Best for: Short trips in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and late-night travel
- Pros: Safe, reliable, clean
- Cons: Very expensive, especially for long trips
- Apps: JapanTaxi, DiDi, Uber (expensive), Go Taxi
🚖 Example: Short taxi ride in Tokyo (~$10–$30 USD)
👉 Pro Tip: Use public transport instead of taxis! If necessary, use a taxi app to avoid misunderstandings.
⛴️ Boat – Best for Islands & Scenic Water Travel
Fun: ⛵ Very High (Scenic, relaxing experience)
Price: 💰💰 (Budget ferries available, luxury cruises are expensive)
Best for: Island hopping, Lake Ashi in Hakone, Hiroshima’s Miyajima Island
- Best Routes:
- Hiroshima → Miyajima (Famous floating torii gate!)
- Tokyo → Odaiba (Water bus with city views!)
- Osaka → Shikoku (Great for reaching remote islands!)
🛥 Example: Tokyo → Odaiba ferry (~$10 USD, 30 min ride)
👉 Pro Tip: Japan’s ferries often allow bikes and cars for road trips!
🚲 Bike – Best for Cities & Nature Trails
Fun: 🚴♂️ Very High (Fun, healthy, scenic)
Price: 💰 (Very cheap, often free with hotels)
Best for: Kyoto, Tokyo parks, countryside cycling
- Pros: Great way to explore cities & rural areas
- Cons: Not all cities have bike lanes
- Best Cycling Areas:
- Kyoto (Best city for biking!)
- Nara (Cycle to the deer park!)
- Shimanami Kaido (Famous island-hopping bike route!)
🚴♂️ Example: Renting a bike in Kyoto (~$5–$15 USD per day)
👉 Pro Tip: Use bike-sharing apps like Docomo Bike Share in Tokyo!
🏆 Best Choice Based on Your Travel Style
- Fastest: ✈️ Plane (for long distances) / 🚆 Shinkansen (bullet train)
- Cheapest: 🚌 Bus / 🚲 Bike
- Most scenic: 🚞 Train through Mount Fuji / 🚗 Hokkaido Road Trip / ⛴️ Miyajima Ferry
- Best for city travel: 🚇 Metro / 🚖 Taxi (if necessary) / 🚲 Bike
- Best adventure: 🚗 Countryside Road Trip / 🚲 Shimanami Kaido / ⛴️ Island Hopping
Japan is a dream destination for train lovers, nature explorers, and cultural adventurers! 🚀 What kind of trip are you planning? 😊
🇯🇵 Japan Transportation FAQ ✈️🚆🚗🚌🚖⛴️🚲
Here are the most frequently asked questions about getting around Japan!
✈️ FLIGHTS & AIR TRAVEL
1. Is flying the best way to travel in Japan?
🚫 No, unless traveling long distances (e.g., Tokyo → Sapporo or Osaka → Okinawa).
✅ Yes, if you need to save time between Japan’s northern & southern regions.
2. What are the major airports in Japan?
🛫 The biggest airports are:
- Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Best for domestic flights
- Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Main international hub
- Osaka Kansai (KIX) – Best for western Japan
- Fukuoka (FUK), Sapporo (CTS), Okinawa (OKA) – Regional hubs
3. How long are domestic flights in Japan?
✈️ Tokyo → Sapporo (~1.5 hours)
✈️ Osaka → Okinawa (~2 hours)
✈️ Tokyo → Fukuoka (~2 hours)
4. How much do domestic flights cost?
💰 $50–$200 USD one way, depending on season & booking time.
5. What airlines fly within Japan?
🛫 ANA, JAL, Peach, Jetstar Japan, Skymark, Solaseed Air
👉 Pro Tip: Use budget airlines like Peach or Jetstar for cheap domestic flights!
🚆 TRAINS (FASTEST & MOST POPULAR OPTION)
6. Is the train system in Japan good?
✅ Yes! Japan has one of the best rail networks in the world.
7. How much do train tickets cost?
💰 Tokyo → Kyoto (~$120 USD, 2.5 hours, Shinkansen)
💰 Osaka → Hiroshima (~$90 USD, 1.5 hours, Shinkansen)
8. What are the best train routes in Japan?
🚆 Tokyo → Kyoto (Amazing Mount Fuji views!)
🚆 Osaka → Hiroshima (Quick, comfortable, and scenic!)
🚆 Tokyo → Sapporo (Scenic ride through northern Japan!)
9. Can I buy train tickets online?
✅ Yes! Use JR East, JR West, SmartEX, or Japan Rail Pass websites.
10. Do trains have Wi-Fi and food?
🚄 Shinkansen (bullet trains) have free Wi-Fi & onboard food (bento boxes 🍱!).
👉 Pro Tip: Get a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) for unlimited train travel (7-day pass ~$275 USD).
🚌 BUSES (CHEAPEST TRANSPORT OPTION)
11. Are buses a good way to travel in Japan?
✅ Yes, for budget travelers or reaching remote areas.
12. How much do bus tickets cost?
💰 Tokyo → Kyoto night bus (~$30–$50 USD, 8 hours)
13. What are the best bus companies?
🚌 Willer Express, JR Bus, Keio Bus, Kintetsu Bus
14. Do long-distance buses have Wi-Fi and bathrooms?
🚽 Yes, but Wi-Fi can be slow.
👉 Pro Tip: Use a Willer Bus Pass for unlimited rides (3-day pass ~$100 USD)!
🚗 RENTING A CAR & DRIVING
15. Should I rent a car in Japan?
🚫 No, if staying in big cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto).
✅ Yes, if exploring rural areas (Hokkaido, Mount Fuji, Okinawa, Kyushu).
16. How much does renting a car cost?
💰 $50–$100 USD/day + fuel (~$1.50 USD per liter)
17. Do I need an international driver’s license?
🔹 Yes! Foreigners need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
18. Is driving in Japan safe?
⚠️ Yes, but remember:
- Driving is on the LEFT side.
- Highway tolls are expensive (~$10–$50 per trip).
- Some areas require snow tires in winter (Hokkaido).
19. What are the best road trips in Japan?
🚗 Fuji Five Lakes (Tokyo → Kawaguchiko → Fuji!)
🚗 Hokkaido Drive (Sapporo → Furano → Biei!)
🚗 Okinawa Coastal Drive (Perfect for beaches!)
🚖 TAXIS & RIDESHARING
20. Is Uber available in Japan?
✅ Yes, but only for taxis. No private Uber drivers!
21. How much do taxis cost?
💰 Short ride (~$10–$30 USD)
💰 Tokyo Airport → City (~$50–$100 USD)
22. How do I avoid taxi scams?
✅ Use taxi apps like Go Taxi, JapanTaxi, or DiDi instead of hailing taxis.
⛴️ BOATS & FERRIES (BEST FOR ISLANDS & SCENIC TRAVEL)
23. Can I take a ferry in Japan?
✅ Yes! Ferries are great for islands & scenic travel.
24. How much do ferry tickets cost?
💰 Tokyo → Odaiba (~$10 USD, 30 min)
💰 Hiroshima → Miyajima (~$2 USD, 10 min)
25. What are the best ferry routes?
🚢 Tokyo → Odaiba (Water bus with city views!)
🚢 Hiroshima → Miyajima (Famous floating torii gate!)
🚢 Osaka → Shikoku (Scenic island route!)
26. Can I take my car on a ferry?
✅ Yes, but it’s expensive (~$50–$150 extra).
🚲 BIKES & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
27. Is Japan bike-friendly?
🚴♂️ Yes! Many cities have bike lanes & rentals.
28. Can I rent a bike in Japan?
✅ Yes! Bike-sharing & rental services are available everywhere.
🚲 Best bike rental services:
- Tokyo & Osaka: Docomo Bike Share 🚲
- Kyoto & Nara: Best cycling cities!
- Shimanami Kaido: Most famous island-hopping bike route!
29. What’s the best way to use public transport in Japan?
🚇 Get an IC Card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) for easy metro, train & bus travel!
🏆 BEST TRANSPORT FOR YOUR TRIP
- Fastest: ✈️ Plane (for long distances) / 🚆 Shinkansen (bullet train)
- Cheapest: 🚌 Bus / 🚲 Bike
- Most scenic: 🚞 Train through Mount Fuji / 🚗 Hokkaido Road Trip / ⛴️ Miyajima Ferry
- Best for city travel: 🚇 Metro / 🚖 Taxi (if necessary) / 🚲 Bike
- Best adventure: 🚗 Countryside Road Trip / 🚲 Shimanami Kaido / ⛴️ Island Hopping
Japan is a dream destination for train lovers, nature explorers, and cultural adventurers! 🚀 What kind of trip are you planning? 😊
