Transportation in Japan: trains, buses, flights and cars

Transportation in Japan is famous for punctuality, safety and cleanliness. Trains connect almost every city, buses fill the gaps, and domestic flights or ferries reach the islands. Most visitors never need a car, except in rural Hokkaido, Okinawa or the countryside.

Trains

The rail network combines the Shinkansen bullet trains, JR lines operated by the six Japan Railways companies, private railways and city subways. Bullet trains link Tokyo to Osaka in about two and a half hours, and Tokyo to Hiroshima in about four. In cities, subways and commuter trains run every few minutes. Details are in the trains and IC cards guide.

IC cards

Rechargeable IC cards such as Suica, PASMO and ICOCA work on trains, subways and buses across the main regions, and in many shops. Tapping in and out removes the need to buy individual tickets for local journeys.

Rail passes

The nationwide rail pass covers most JR trains for 7, 14 or 21 days. Since the price increases, regional passes from JR East, JR West, JR Central, JR Kyushu or JR Hokkaido often offer better value for itineraries focused on one area.

Buses

Highway buses connect major cities at a fraction of the train price, including overnight routes between Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Local buses are essential in Kyoto, mountain areas and islands; many accept IC cards. Airport limousine buses link airports to major hotels.

Domestic flights

Flights save time for long distances, such as Tokyo to Sapporo, Fukuoka or Okinawa. Japan Airlines, ANA and low-cost carriers such as Peach and Jetstar Japan offer frequent services, and some sell fares reserved for foreign visitors.

Ferries

Ferries serve islands such as Miyajima, Naoshima and Sado, and long-distance overnight routes connect Honshu with Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu.

Taxis and ride apps

Taxis are clean and safe, with automatic doors that the driver opens and closes. Fares start at around ¥500 in Tokyo and rise with distance and late-night surcharges. Taxi apps work in large cities.

Driving

Car rental requires an International Driving Permit based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. Drivers from countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation of their licence instead. Japan drives on the left, and expressway tolls are high.

Luggage forwarding

Courier services carry suitcases between hotels or to the airport, usually overnight, for a few thousand yen per bag. This makes transportation in Japan by train far more comfortable.

Accessibility

Major stations have lifts, tactile paving and staff who assist wheelchair users with ramps when contacted in advance. Many trains include wheelchair spaces, and accessible taxis are increasingly common in big cities.

Travel times at a glance

Tokyo to Kyoto takes about two hours and fifteen minutes by bullet train, Tokyo to Kanazawa about two and a half hours, Osaka to Hiroshima about one and a half hours, and Tokyo to Sapporo about an hour and a half by plane. These short times make it easy to cover several regions in one trip without long road journeys.

Guides in this section

Official source: Japan Automobile Federation, driving in Japan

Frequently asked questions