Japanese public transportation is very well organized and accommodating. Rail lines connect most parts of Japan. Buses, taxis and other vehicles are used for transit to remote or less traveled locations, while airplanes link the country for faster commuting over greater distances. There are also ferries that are often the only way to travel to some smaller islands. Traveling by car is convenient for family trips, despite expensive toll charges, with many rental companies existing to serve this and many other needs. Keep reading to learn about various modes of transportation you can use to get around Japan.

How to get around Japan

Finding your way around Japan can be overwhelming at first due to not being able to understand or speak the language. However, there are plenty of transportation options available to help you get wherever you would like to go. You can hail a taxi outside your home, switch trains or catch a bus from a station to your office. You do not have to worry too much about getting stuck anywhere in Japan.

Trains

Trains are perhaps the most straightforward way to get around Japan. All signs at train stations provide the major station names in English with most of the stations having English-language maps available as well. Japanese trains are also very clean. Trains are almost always on time and they run from early in the morning, usually starting before 6 a.m., until a little after midnight. There are also train delay certificates that are issued when the train runs late. To learn more about train delay certificates in Japan, please check this article.

If you would like to travel long distances in Japan, you can ride a Shinkansen (bullet train). The Shinkansen is very fast, smooth and comfortable high-speed train. They run all the way from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

>> Train Etiquette in Japan

Planes

It is sometimes quicker to travel by plane than by train (shinkansen). Japan has many airports and a lot of domestic flights take off and land every day. Below are major airlines in Japan.

・JAL
・ANA
・Jetstar
・Peach
・SKYMARK Airlines
・Solaseed Air
・STARFLYER
・AIRDO

Buses

Bus stops are quite common in Japan. They run up and down every major road and can easily get you from your home to the train station or office and back again. They require a little more preparation than riding the train so make sure you check your route and bus number before you head out. To get off the bus, listen for your stop to be announced over the intercom and press the Disembark button. This will alert the bus driver that someone wishes to get off and he or she will let you off at the appropriate point.

There are also many highway buses that you can use to travel to various destinations in Japan. They are a great affordable alternative to shinkansen trains and airplanes. You can use websites such Willer Travel to search for and book highway buses.

>> How to Use the Bus in Japan Like a Pro

Taxis

Taxis are easy to find in cities. They are usually queuing up at train stations waiting to pick up disembarking train passengers and convey them to their final destinations. You can also hail a taxi by waving your hand near the street. If it is vacant, it will display a red light “空車”(Kûsha=vacant) on the dashboard in the lower corner of the windshield. If it is occupied, it will display a green light “賃走” (occupied). For more details on how to catch a taxi, please read "Catching A Taxi in Japan". Although Uber is not so common yet in Japan, there is an app that lets you call a taxi easily. To learn about taxi apps in Japan, please check this article.

Ferries

Japan is an island country and there are some destinations that can be accessed by a ferry. It can be an interesting alternative to trains and airplanes when traveling between popular destinations such as Osaka and Beppu or it can be even the only mode of transportation, as it is often the case with some smaller islands.

Driving

While Japan has excellent public transportation, driving can give you more freedom of movement, especially outside of major cities. To learn what you need in order to drive in Japan, please check this article.

In Japan, there are many car rental companies you can use when going to various destinations in Japan. If you are interested in renting a car, please check "How to Rent a Car in Japan". For more information on leasing and purchasing a car, please refer to: "Leasing Cars in Japan" and "Buying New / Used Cars in Japan".

Cycling

If you plan to ride a bicycle in Japan, it is important to familiarize yourself with rules and regulations. Foreign residents or visitors should make sure they always have a passport or Japanese government issued ID. The police can, and do, stop cyclists to check ownership and carrying these documents at all times is a legal requirement for non-Japanese, so don't get caught without them. For information on bicycle registration and rules in Japan, please check "Cycling in Japan: Bicycle Rules & Regulations". If you are in Tokyo and would like to rent or purchase a bicycle, please read "How to Share, Rent Bikes in Tokyo" and "Where to Buy New and Used Bicycles in Tokyo".

Travel IC cards (prepaid transportation cards)

If you travel in Japan, it is essential to have a prepaid train card (IC card). It is the easiest way to ride trains/busses across Japan. IC cards can also be used for some taxis, stores, restaurants, vending machines and coin lockers.

You can use your card everywhere in Japan where IC card logo is displayed. IC cards are divided into 10 types by region. However, they can all be used interchangeably allowing you to use one region’s IC card for transport in another region. For instance, you can use a Suica JR card to get around on the subway in Kyoto. You can also shop with Suica in Kyoto and recharge it there.

>> IC Cards in Japan: Traveling with Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and More

>> Turn Your iPhone or Android into a Mobile Suica/PASMO IC Card

>> Tokyo Subway Ticket Options: Suica or PASMO?