Getting Around Japan
Getting Around Japan
Getting around Japan can be confusing, and I admit I was totally overwhelmed when researching methods of how to get around Japan. Some of these methods include the JR Pass, Shinkansen, Ordinary Trains, Private Trains, and various subway lines. To make it even more confusing, each one of the above methods uses a different pass or combination of passes.
I think it is essential to begin this section by explaining that there are many more economical ways of getting around Japan than the methods I chose. Being 6 foot 5, and sometimes feeling sick on bumpy trains due to feeling claustrophobic, undoubtedly played a role in my transportation choices.
I visited Japan in August of 2018. I have tried to update this page but some information might be outdated.
Getting Around Japan - Table of Contents
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Getting Around Japan Using The JR Rail Pass
I highly recommend buying the JR Rail Pass before arriving in Japan as there are limited options for purchasing the JR Pass in Japan. Japan Railways, the company that offers the JR Pass made the pass available for purchase inside the country on a trial basis from March 2017 to March 2024.
The trial period has since been extended until March 2024. When purchasing the JR Pass in Japan, expect the cost to be higher than purchasing it outside of the country.
Due to some uncertainty about the long term availability of purchasing the JR Pass inside Japan, and the higher cost, I suggest purchasing the JR Pass either online or in-person, ahead of time. I purchased my JR Pass at a certified travel office in Suburban Chicago. The entire process took around two hours, and I left with my JR pass in my hand.
For those interested in purchasing online, I have linked a banner below. Once you click on the link you should be able to choose between an Ordinary or Green Car Pass. As an affiliate of JR Pass, I earn a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. You can also use this LINK to purchase your JR Pass. If you are interested in buying your JR Pass online I would appreciate it if you would use my link.
The rail pass covers all JR trains including the Shinkansen (High-Speed Bullet Trains). The only exception is the two fastest Shinkansen trains: the Nozomi and the Mizuho. In 2020, the newest Shinkansen, the N700s will be used on the Tokaido and Sanyo Lines. According to JR’s website, it appears that the JR pass will be accepted on these new trains. You can read more on the JR Rail Pass site about the new trains by clicking HERE. The JR pass also does not include the Tokyo Metro, other city metros, or privately owned lines. The rail pass is a money saver for any traveler wanting to take the Shinkansen as the cost of purchasing individual round trip tickets from Tokyo to Hiroshima is almost as expensive as the rail pass.
Years later, I would use what I learned from traveling with the JR Rail Pass to explore Switzerland using the Swiss Rail Pass.
Getting Around Japan Using The Narita Express
I immediately put my new JR Pass to work when I requested a ticket from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station. The ticket was for a green car on the Narita Express which was virtually empty. There was free WIFI on the train and a place to secure my luggage.
Most people traveling on the Japanese Rails purchase tickets from a kiosk with a QR code on them. The JR Pass tickets have to be requested from an actual person. It can be confusing when approaching the gates because instead of inserting a ticket into the reader, JR Pass holders must go to the far side of the gates and present their pass to a security agent. I was confused for a few moments, but figured out the process after observing others. The same process is repeated during arrivals. At the arrival station instead of scanning the ticket, it merely needs to be presented to the security agent. Presenting the ticket allows the traveler to exit the secured gate area.
Shinkansen Tickets
Upon arriving at Tokyo Station, I found the JR Rail Main Ticket Counter and took out my itinerary. I already had selected all of my Shinkansen dates and times, and because I had the rail pass, I could prebook seats in the green car for free. The ticket agent spoke English reasonably well, and was very happy that I had the train name, date, time, and route number on my itinerary. The agent was able to reserve all my tickets quickly, and only had to ask me if I wanted a window seat or an aisle seat in the 2×2 configuration. About 10 minutes after arriving, I had all my Shinkansen tickets in hand.
Getting Around Japan Using Ordinary Trains and the Tokyo Subway
Getting around Tokyo can be very confusing. The main rail lines that serve the Tokyo Area are the JR Shinkansen, the JR Ordinary Trains (Regular Trains), the Tokyo Metro (Subway), and other private train lines. My JR Pass only covered the Shinkansen and the JR Rail Trains. To get around using the pass, I could take the Yamanote which makes a loop around the Tokyo Area.
If a traveler doesn’t mind some additional walking, they could probably get by without taking the metro. I was dealing with a limited amount of time, so I decided to use the metro. To do this, it is easiest to purchase a Suica Card. This card can be loaded with money, and could purchase train tickets by merely tapping it against the entry gate. When leaving the subway, touch it to the exit gate, and it will deduct the proper fare.
I put ¥10,000 ($95) on my card and reloaded it once with ¥1,000 more. The card is also accepted on the private rails, as well as at 7/11, other convenience stores, vending machines, and some restaurants. There is a ¥500 deposit that is refundable upon returning the card. Also, any leftover money can be returned minus a ¥250 fee.
If you look at my Japan Itinerary (Linked Here), you can see that I laid out all of my metro routes. Having the metro routes ahead of time was extremely helpful in finding the right trains. Also, the iPhone Maps App has all the Tokyo trains programmed in. It will tell you the most direct route including how to walk to the station, what transfers are needed, and how to walk from the station to your destination. The Tokyo train system is so complex that some planning will make the journey much more manageable.
Getting Around Japan Using The Shinkansen
All of my trips on the Shinkansen were less than two hours. The Shinkansen travels between 150 and 200 mph depending on the route. If the train falls behind schedule, higher speeds are possible until the train is back on schedule. I tracked the speed on my phone using the “Speed Box” App, and 173 mph was the fastest speed I witnessed. I did not have the app open the entire trip so it is possible that the train may have gone faster.
The Shinkansen is easy to find as the signs switch back and forth from Japanese to English. I made the mistake of arriving almost an hour early for my first Shinkansen trip. Arriving anymore than 10 minutes early is not necessary provided you know how to find the track. While it is easy to find the track’s location at the smaller stations, Tokyo Station is huge, and it can be difficult to find the correct track. Be sure to give yourself extra time at the larger train stations unless you are sure how to find the track.
The boarding process takes less than a minute and is very simple. The doors open, people get out, people board, and the train starts moving often before the new passengers reach their seats.
My tickets were all in the Green Car which features a 2 x 2 layout. There was plenty of legroom, an outlet for charging, a footrest, and a tray table. I found the seat to be comparable to an airliner’s domestic first-class seat.
Once on the train, food is available for purchase, and the attendant had picture menus for non-English speakers.
Years later, I would travel on a Moroccan first class ticket from Casablanca to Marrakech. That travel experience made me long for the Shinkansen Green Car more than ever.
I never went into the ordinary cars, but I know from my research that they have a layout of 3×2. They also have an option to prebook seats just like green cars. There are usually two cars that are non-reserved. These cars are “first come, first serve” and sometimes even have passengers standing.
As a traveler who usually flies around countries using domestic flights, I found the Shinkansen to be much easier than flying. There is no checking in, no security screening, and no baggage claim. Just show up a few minutes early and wait at the platform.
I really enjoyed the green car. The seats were slightly more comfortable than a typical domestic first-class airplane seat. The lack of people in the cars also ensured there was plenty of space for my luggage.
Additional Information
Another benefit of the green rail pass is that many of the ordinary trains have green cars. When I traveled to Yokohama on the JR Shinjuku Line, the ordinary cars were packed with people standing. The green cars were virtually empty. It appears that to ride on an ordinary train’s green car that a traveler would have to scan their Suica Card and pay an additional fee. Once the card is scanned, the light above the seat changes from red to green. Scanning your Suica Card is not needed with a JR pass. Instead, show the green pass to the attendant, and they will manually change the light to green. Below are pictures of the regular car and the green car. These pictures show a typical Japanese ordinary train.
When I was in Osaka taking their metro, I became introduced to the metro “pushers.” These are employees that push people into the car in hopes that they can squeeze everyone in so the doors will close. These people were only needed during peak times. I noticed that because the metro can get so crammed that the Osaka Metro has cars just for women.
Getting Around Japan Using Kansai Airport Express
My trip ended with a flight out of Osaka Kansai Airport. I read that a taxi ride would have been almost ¥20,000 ($190) due to the distance from the city and the tolls to get across the bridges. The Kansai Airport Express was once again operated by JR and covered by my pass. This car was the nicest of all the green cars. It was in a 2×1 layout, and I was one of two people in the car.
The Japanese rail system is extraordinary. It is on time, clean, safe, and cost-efficient. The trains are much cheaper than taxis and often quicker. If any of my readers ever visit Japan, I highly recommend using the rail system.
Getting around Japan can be confusing. I hope this guide was helpful. If you have any specific questions feel free to email me or message me on one of my social media platforms.
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