Getting Around
Japan’s trains are legendary — punctual to the minute, spotless and reaching almost everywhere. Master the rail system and the whole country opens up.
Shinkansen
Up to 320 km/h
City metro
¥170–320 per ride
Pay with
IC card
Rail pass
JR Pass (regional too)
The Shinkansen
The bullet train links Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond at up to 320 km/h. Reserve seats for peak travel. Weigh the nationwide JR Pass against point-to-point tickets — regional passes are often better value.
City subways
Tokyo, Osaka and other cities have dense, English-signed metros. Just tap your IC card in and out. Google Maps gives exact platforms and the fastest transfers.
Buses & taxis
Rural areas and some cities (like Kyoto) rely on buses — pay with your IC card. Taxis are impeccable but expensive; doors open automatically, so stand back.
Etiquette
Keep phone calls and loud talk off trains, queue neatly on platform markings, and stand on the correct side of escalators (left in Tokyo, right in Osaka).
Useful phrases Phrases
Next up
Visa & Entry