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Last Updated 28th August 2026
First time here? Knowing how to get around Japan takes a little planning, but by the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to go.
From bullet trains to navigating Tokyo’s public transport, let’s dig into everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways:
This is your number one travel essential for Japan. An IC card (Integrated Circuit card) is a contactless smart card. You can use it on most public transport, at vending machines and convenience stores, and even at some casual dining spots.
You can use an IC card across almost every big city or public transport network in Japan.
If you’re joining one of our Japan group tours, your group leader may provide you with an IC card. You can find this out in your pre-departure details, or by contacting your personally assigned travel coordinator.
Got an iPhone? You can set this up right away.
Your easiest option is to download the Welcome Suica Mobile App. This is specially designed for tourists and covers you for 180 days. All top-ups can be done directly through your phone.
If you’re staying in Japan for over six months, or already planning your next visit, here’s a long-term alternative. Simply open your Apple Wallet app, then tap on the plus sign (+) in the top right corner. Scroll down to Japan and select your IC card of choice.
Prefer a physical IC card? Your two main options as an international visitor are either TOURIST PASMO or Welcome Suica.
You can pick up a TOURIST PASMO card at Tokyo’s two main international airports. No deposit is required, only cash (Japanese Yen) for your starting balance.
Same goes for a Welcome Suica card. Go over to the counter, or find the nearest ticket machine. You can also find these at major train stations in Tokyo.
Physical IC cards require cash top-ups, which can be easily done at convenience stores and station ticket machines. Digital IC cards, meanwhile, can be reloaded directly using a credit card.
It’s up to you! Nowadays, you’ll find that IC card providers are virtually identical. So it really depends on whether you’d prefer to go digital or use a physical card.
Technically, there are 10 different IC cards in Japan for you to choose from (all mutually compatible). But we generally recommend sticking to Suica and PASMO, as these are by far the most popular and widely accessible.
An IC card covers almost all major public transport in Japan. Your card will work when exploring Tokyo and Kyoto, just not on a continuous journey between them.
As a rule: different regions mean you’ll need to buy a separate ticket. So that Nara day trip from Kyoto? Same region, so you should be fine using your IC card.
Anything that requires a Shinkansen (bullet train)? You’ll need to book a separate ticket.
Famously known as the bullet train, this is the fastest way to travel around Japan. It’s a high-speed network operated by Japan Railways (JR).
The Shinkansen can take you from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two hours with zero changes. For reference: that same journey, using the local trains route, takes 8 to 9 hours with several transfers included.
You may wish to book this in advance, depending on the season and if you’re travelling during any of Japan’s major holidays, such as Golden Week. Deciding when to go? Our guide to the Best Time to Visit Japan has got you covered.
Prices can vary based on the time of year. Generally, the cost of a one-way bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto starts at around £65.
When travelling around Japan’s Golden Route by bullet train, you’ll find three different seating options to choose from. In order of lowest to highest price:
Pro Tip: Want the iconic Mount Fuji window view? Sit on the right-hand side when travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka, and on the left when travelling to Tokyo.
The Japan Rail (JR) Pass is specially designed for international tourists. You’ll have full access to most bullet trains, with the exception being Japan’s two fastest services. The Nozomi and Mizuho services require a small extra fee on top of your JR pass.
Alongside this, you’ll also have access to all nationwide JR train lines and some airport transfers, like the Narita Express and Tokyo Monorail. You’ll even be able to use the JR pass for the JR-West Miyajima Ferry departing from Hiroshima.
You get the idea. It can be a huge time-saver if you’re planning a fully independent trip. Yet if budget, not convenience, is your dealbreaker, you may find it more affordable to book individual journeys.
So is it worth you getting a JR Pass? Honestly, it’s up to you. But if you’re travelling with us on a group tour, you can skip this one.
Trains are the easiest way to get around Japan. But for budget-conscious travellers who aren’t in a hurry, long-distance buses are the way to go.
Through Japan Bus Lines, you can book individual journeys or pick up a JBL Pass. You can also find night bus services.
Travelling outside of Japan’s main island to trending destinations like Okinawa and Hokkaido? You may find air travel to be the fastest and most affordable option.
Most cities in Japan have a domestic airport. Still, for smaller journeys across the main Honshu island, we’re team trains all the way.
Our personal favourite travel style. The only thing you have to do is show up at the starting location (usually Tokyo), then meet your group leader and new travel mates.
From there, all your in-trip transport comes included. You don’t have to check your phone 100 times to check if you’re going the right way either, or navigate language barriers on your own, because your group leader is on it.
We still recommend getting an IC Card, so that you’ve got options to travel around during any free time.
Most Japan tours finish in Osaka or Kyoto. Your group leader can assist you in organising a bullet train journey back to Tokyo at the end of your trip.
Because getting around Japan is so efficient, you can pack a lot of activities into little time. Still, Japan is one of those places that you’ll always wish you had more time in, even if you’re here for a month!
10 to 14 days is the sweet spot, because you can tick off Japan’s biggest cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Our 2 Weeks in Japan guide has got everything you need to plan your dream trip, including trip itineraries to get you inspired.
Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world, so when you see all the different train or subway lines on the map, it can feel a bit overwhelming.
Google Maps makes everything so much easier. Type in your start and end locations, then follow the drop-down instructions. You’ll usually get a few different options, but the top results are the simplest and fastest journeys.
If you’re taking public transport in the morning, it’s best to go before 7am or after 9am, as 7 to 9am is when peak rush hour hits.
The same goes for the evening. 5pm to 7pm is when Japan’s public transport is generally the busiest during weekdays.
Got the Google Translation app on your phone? You can take a photo of a public transport in Japanese, upload it, and then receive a rough translation. It won’t always be 100% accurate, but it’s usually pretty close.
You can also find lots of English transport signs or announcements nowadays whilst navigating the subway or train lines in Tokyo.
GO is the most popular taxi app in Japan. It covers all prefectures, supports foreign mobile numbers, and is easy for English-speakers to use.
You can still use Uber in Japan, but its availability is mostly limited to major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
Exact timings are different in every city, and can change depending on the time of year. But you’ll find that most public transport, including metros, buses and rail services, stop around midnight before restarting in the early morning at 5am.
Ready to start exploring? If you have any more questions about Japan or other destinations high on your bucket list, just let us know. Check out our Free Travel Advice page to book in a friendly chat with our experts.
We’ve also included some FAQs below to help you navigate Japan like a breeze. 🌸
Yay! We’re so excited to have you join us in Japan. Your group leader can get you set up with everything you need, or point you in the right direction.
Yes. It is the law to carry your passport with you when visiting Japan as a tourist.
Yes. Mastercard and Amex are the most effective. Occasionally Visa cards get declined, but if that happens, you can just use cash instead. Tap your phone at a station ticket machine or convenience store, the same way you’d use a physical card.
There’s virtually no difference. You’re better off choosing it based on your preference for a digital or physical IC card, or whichever one is more convenient for you to pick up.
An international debit or credit card, like Wise, is the way to go. You can store multiple foreign currencies, such as Japanese Yen. So every time you use your card, you’re spending the exact amount. No tiny extra fees on top.
Yes. You can withdraw Japanese Yen, which can then be used to top up a physical IC card. Or you can add your international card to your Apple Wallet to top up a digital IC card directly.
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