East Asia
Getting around Japan
Between cities
Getting around Japan
Shinkansen bullet trains link most cities fast but are pricey; the national JR Pass only pays off on long itineraries. Highway buses and budget flights are cheaper.
Key facts
- Ride-hailing apps: GO, Uber, DiDi.
- Driving: on the left. Bring a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; licences from Germany, France, Switzerland, Taiwan and a few others need a JAF translation.
- Japan Rail Pass (official)
- smartEX Shinkansen booking (Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu)
- Japan National Tourism Organization
Getting around by place
- TokyoGetting around
- KyotoGetting around
- OsakaGetting around
- HiroshimaGetting around
- NaraGetting around
- SapporoGetting around
- OkinawaGetting around
- HakoneGetting around
- FukuokaGetting around
- KawaguchikoGetting around
- NisekoGetting around
- YokohamaGetting around
- KanazawaGetting around
- TakayamaGetting around
- NagoyaGetting around
- NikkoGetting around
Sources
- Japan Rail Pass (official)
- smartEX Shinkansen booking (Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu)
- Japan National Tourism Organization
- US State Department travel advisory
- Immigration Services Agency: Digital Nomad status
- Visit Japan Web (Digital Agency)
- Japan Tourism Agency: tax-free shopping
- Seven Bank: overseas cards at ATMs
- Speedtest Global Index: Japan
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.