Japan boasts one of the world's most efficient and reliable public transportation systems. This guide will help you navigate trains, buses, and other options effortlessly. Japan is a train country and is recognized worldwide for its punctuality. You can generally rely on schedules to the minute. During peak hours, trains and buses can be crowded. It's essential to be prepared for this. Japanese public transportation has specific etiquette. Being mindful of others is crucial. In this Guide, I will go over how to use Japan's Public Transit from Airport Transit to Subways, JR and Shinkansen, what passes and Cards you will need, and what apps you should download to make your travels in Japan easy.
Haneda Airport
Tokyo Haneda Airport, officially known as Tokyo International Airport (HND), is one of two major airports serving Tokyo, Japan, the other being Narita International Airport. Haneda is located closer to central Tokyo, making it a preferred choice for domestic flights and increasingly for international travel. Haneda Airport is located in Ōta, Tokyo, about 14 km south of Tokyo Station, which makes it highly accessible to the city center. Terminal 3, the international terminal, handles flights to and from various global destinations. Haneda is well-connected by public transportation, including: Tokyo Monorail, which provides a direct connection to Hamamatsuchō Station, which is linked to the JR Yamanote Line. The Keikyū Line offers access to central Tokyo and Yokohama and there are also Limousine buses available for easy access to various parts of the city. Haneda has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing number of international flights, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. Whether you're traveling domestically within Japan or arriving internationally, Haneda offers a convenient and efficient gateway to Tokyo and beyond.
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IC Cards
IC cards are prepaid travel cards that you can use on trains, buses, ferries, cable cars, and more. They do not, however, include travel on bullet trains, long-distance trains, or airport transfers, like the Narita Express. Still, it is recommended that you get one to complement your JR Pass, especially if you are going to towns that have other train and bus lines. They are rechargeable—load them with funds, and you’re good to go. They are also accepted in convenience stores, vending machines, and restaurants. While there are many IC card options, the most popular are SUICA, PASMO, AND ICOCA. SUICA (offered by JR East) allows you to access trains, subways, monorails, and buses in the Kanto region such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, etc., Sendai, Niigata, and Okinawa. You can also use it in restaurants, taxis, vending machines, and food stores as long as they have the SUICA logo. You can purchase the card costs starting from JPY 1,000, with JPY 500 as a refundable deposit at a major station via vending machine or at a counter. A minimum down payment is not required if you download SUICA using Apple Wallet apps. PASMO is a great complementary card to the JR Pass. It is available for all non-Japan Rail transportation in Tokyo and easily purchased at Tokyo Metro stations. The basic card costs JPY 1,000, with JPY 500 as credit and the other half as a deposit (refundable when you return the card at the end of your trip). You can also use it in convenience stores and some vending machines.
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Welcome Suica
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Train Travel
Train travel around Japan is simple and convenient. Numbered stations and color-coded train lines make it easy to hop from one train to another. Some trains offer two kinds of tickets—the basic train fare and one that allows you to reserve your tickets ahead of time. You will want to avoid rush hour if you can when the trains are full: 8-9 a.m. and shortly after 5 p.m. Remember to observe the standard etiquette inside the train. Stand behind the yellow line when waiting to board the train. Wait for passengers to exit first. avoid eating, refrain from talking on your mobile phone., avoid putting on make-up, and avoid taking up more room than required.
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Shinkansen (Bullet Trains)
Regional and commuter trains in Japan are the backbone of daily transportation, especially in densely populated urban areas. These trains are essential for short to medium-distance travel within cities and their surrounding suburbs. Regional Trains serve broader areas within a specific region, connecting smaller towns and cities to major urban centers. It is often used for medium-distance travel, such as between cities within the same prefecture or to neighboring prefectures. Notable Regional Lines include JR Tōkaidō Main Line connects Tokyo with Nagoya and Osaka, with local and rapid services. JR Chūō Main Line links Tokyo with Nagano, passing through the scenic Kiso Valley. JR Hokkaido Lines connect major cities in Hokkaido, such as Sapporo, Hakodate, and Asahikawa.
Commuter Trains
Commuter Trains primarily operate within metropolitan areas, catering to daily commuters. Designed for high-frequency, short-distance travel, particularly during rush hours. Often run in and out of city centers, connecting to various subway lines. Local Commuter Trains stop at every station, similar to local regional trains. Rapid/Express Commuter Trains skip certain stations to provide faster service, catering to longer-distance commuters within the city. Semi-Express Trains, a mix between local and express, stop at more stations than an express but fewer than a local.
Notable Commuter Lines is JR Yamanote Line (Tokyo): A circular line that loops around central Tokyo, connecting major districts like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ueno. It's one of the busiest and most convenient lines for getting around Tokyo. JR Chūō-Sōbu Line (Tokyo): Connects the western suburbs with the city center, passing through areas like Akihabara and Shinjuku. Keihin-Tōhoku Line (Tokyo): Runs parallel to the Yamanote Line for part of its route, extending further to Yokohama. Osaka Loop Line (Osaka): Encircles central Osaka, linking key areas such as Osaka Station and Namba. Hankyu and Hanshin Lines (Kansai): Connect Osaka with Kyoto and Kobe, respectively, offering frequent and reliable services.
Subway
The subway systems in Japan are a crucial part of the urban transportation network, particularly in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. They offer fast, efficient, and reliable transportation within city centers and to surrounding areas. Signs, maps, and announcements in subway stations and on trains are typically available in English, and often in other languages as well. Many subway operators provide apps that offer route planning, fare calculation, and real-time train schedules. Popular apps include "Tokyo Subway Navigation," "Osaka Metro," and "Japan Travel by Navitime."
Tokyo has one of the most extensive and busiest subway systems in the world, serving millions of passengers daily. The subway system is divided between two main operators: Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Tokyo Metro Operates 9 lines, including the Ginza Line (Tokyo’s oldest subway line), the Marunouchi Line, and the Hibiya Line. Tokyo Metro Covers key areas of central Tokyo, including popular districts like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa. Toei Subway Operates 4 lines, including the Asakusa Line and the Oedo Line, which is Japan's longest circular line. The Toei lines complement Tokyo Metro lines, offering extensive coverage of less central areas and connections to other public transport.
Osaka’s subway system is the second-largest in Japan and is an integral part of the city's transport infrastructure. Operated by Osaka Metro, the system provides coverage across Osaka and links to nearby cities like Sakai. The Midosuji Line (Osaka's busiest line), the Chūō Line, and the Tanimachi Line. Some subway lines extend into suburban areas, integrating with other rail networks. The subway system connects seamlessly with JR lines, private railways, and the Osaka Loop Line, allowing easy travel across the Kansai region.
Kyoto's subway system is smaller but crucial for navigating the city, especially for tourists visiting Kyoto's cultural and historical sites. Karasuma Line: Runs north to south, connecting central Kyoto with key destinations like Kyoto Station and the business district. Tōzai Line: Runs east to west, linking Kyoto's eastern and western districts. The subway is an excellent way to reach famous sites such as Nijo Castle, the Imperial Palace, and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Other Transportation Options
Bus
Bus schedules and routes are posted at bus stops so you can easily see when the bus will arrive and how long you will have to wait. Enter the bus from the rear door as the front door is often used by exiting passengers (note: it’s the other way around for city buses). You can tap your IC card or pick up a paper ticket from the small machine by the door if you intend to pay with cash. The bus will announce each stop. When you hear your destination, press the button found along the side of the bus to let the driver know you will be getting off.
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Taxis
Taxis are safe and trustworthy, though they can be a bit pricey. Nevertheless, they are the only means of getting around when the trains and buses stop operating at midnight. In smaller places, like Kyoto, where public transportation is less convenient, taking a taxi to your next destination can be a good alternative to walking. You can hop on a taxi in one of the various taxi stands around the city or flag one down. Remember the Japanese character for occupied (賃走) and vacant (空車), so you don’t need to wave at taxis that will zip past you anyway.
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Other ride-hailing services
Japan has other ride-hailing services that make it easy to call a cab or car. For example, JapanTaxi is available in all 47 prefectures to select your pick-up spot and destination. Uber is another popular app available in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and more. However, Uber is pricier than regular taxis, with the minimum fare being approximately JPY 823. If you are looking for an alternative to JapanTaxi and Uber, you can check out DiDi, MOV, and Grab.
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Conclusion
It's easy to get around once you have a solid grasp of how Japan’s public transportation works. Whether by bus, taxi, or train, you’ll discover how convenient it is to get from one destination to another as you tour the city. I'd advise you to watch some videos on transport in the cities you are visiting, so you get an overall feel of what to expect.
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