Travel · Trains, buses and passes
Getting around Japan
Japan has some of the best public transport in the world, and it can look confusing on day one. These guides cover what to buy, how to ride and what to avoid, from your first tap on an IC card to the shinkansen across the country.
Fares and rules checked in November 2026. They change, so confirm current prices with the operator before you buy.
If you remember six things
These cover most of what visitors need to know on the first day.
- Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card, or add one to your phone. It works on nearly every train, subway and bus in the cities. IC cards: Suica, Pasmo and ICOCA →
- Plan each trip in an app that shows the platform and the fare, and check which train type you are boarding. Apps and navigation →
- Work out the cost before you buy a Japan Rail Pass. For many trips it no longer pays for itself. Japan Rail Pass and regional passes →
- Reserve a seat on the shinkansen, and book a special seat if your suitcase is larger than 160 cm in total. The shinkansen and buying tickets →
- Send big suitcases ahead by courier, and use a coin locker for the rest. Luggage, lockers and sending bags ahead →
- Check the last train before a night out, and avoid the morning rush hour with luggage. Last trains and rush hour →
The guides
In the city
Paying, riding and reading the signs on trains, subways, buses and taxis.
- IC cards: Suica, Pasmo and ICOCA The prepaid card that works on trains, subways, buses and in shops, and how to get one.
- Trains and subways Train types, line colours and station numbers, transfers, and how to read the signs.
- Buses and taxis How to board, pay and get off a bus, and how to use a taxi, an app or a ride service.
Between cities
The shinkansen, rail passes and getting from the airport.
- The shinkansen and buying tickets Train types, reserved and non-reserved seats, how tickets work, and the luggage rule.
- Japan Rail Pass and regional passes What the passes cover, what they cost, and how to tell whether one is worth buying.
- From the airport to the city The main ways from Narita, Haneda, Kansai and other airports into town.
Practical tips
Apps, luggage, rush hour and the last train.
- Apps and navigation The route planners, maps and taxi apps that make trains easy, and how to stay online.
- Luggage, lockers and sending bags ahead Coin lockers, luggage forwarding by courier, and travelling light on crowded trains.
- Last trains and rush hour When the trains stop at night, what to do if you miss one, and how to avoid the crush.
Learn Japanese
Learn the Japanese you need on the road
Readers, books and study bundles from The Japan Shop.
-
Beginning Japanese Phrases and Stories
Everyday phrases and short stories for beginners (JLPT N5 level).
See at The Japan Shop →
-
Sightseeing in Japan Bundle
A three-book, self-paced Japanese study guide for travellers.
See at The Japan Shop →
-
Complete Beginner Bundle
Hiragana, katakana and a first kanji book, for starting Japanese from zero.
See at The Japan Shop →
Sponsored links. We may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Words and signs worth knowing
- 駅 eki
- Station.
- 出口 deguchi
- Exit. Big stations have dozens, so check the number.
- 乗り換え norikae
- Transfer.
- 切符 kippu
- Ticket.
- 各駅停車 kakueki-teisha
- Local train that stops at every station.
- 特急 tokkyū
- Limited express. Often needs an extra ticket.
- 指定席 / 自由席 shiteiseki / jiyūseki
- Reserved seat / non-reserved seat.
- 終電 shūden
- The last train of the night.
Related on e2japan
Common questions
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass?
Probably not. The nationwide pass costs roughly ¥50,000 for seven days, so it only pays off if you travel long distances several times. For a single Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka trip, individual tickets or a regional pass usually cost less. Work out the total before you buy.
Can one IC card be used all over Japan?
In most cities, yes. Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA and the other major cards work with each other on trains, subways and buses in the big urban areas, and in shops and vending machines. Some rural lines and buses still do not accept them, so keep some cash.
Can I tap an IC card on the shinkansen?
Not on its own. The shinkansen needs a ticket for the journey and a seat ticket (or a pass). You can use an IC card for the rest of your trip on either end.
Are taxis expensive, and do they take cards?
They are metered, safe and clean, and a short ride costs a few thousand yen at most. Most taxis in cities take cards and IC cards, but some rural ones are cash only. There is no tipping.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. Stations in cities show signs in English, with line colours and station numbers. A translation app and a map app are enough for most trips.
Further reading
Books to read next
Books on Japanese customs and society. Manners vary by place and family, so treat them as background reading.
- Culture Smart! Japan Paul Norbury A short guide to Japanese customs, manners and values for visitors and newcomers. See on Amazon ↗
- The Japanese Today Edwin O. Reischauer A well-known overview of Japanese society, family life and values. See on Amazon ↗
Sponsored links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices are rounded and given in yen. Rules differ between railway companies and regions.