Japan's public transport is fast, clean and punctual, but the number of companies, cards and passes can be confusing at first. This guide explains the pieces you actually need — IC cards for everyday travel, Shinkansen tickets for long distances, and how to decide whether a rail pass is worth it for your route. We deliberately do not quote fares here: prices change, so always check the official websites before you buy.
The basics: many companies, one network
In big cities, trains and subways are run by several different companies: JR (Japan Railways), subway operators and private railways. They share stations and connect seamlessly, but tickets and passes do not always cover all of them. That is the main reason IC cards are so useful — they work across almost everything.
IC cards: the one thing everyone should have
IC cards are rechargeable smart cards you tap at ticket gates. The main ones are Suica and PASMO (Tokyo area) and ICOCA (Kansai), but they are interchangeable for most purposes: a Suica works on Osaka's subway and an ICOCA works in Tokyo.
What you can use them for:
- Trains, subways and most city buses in major cities.
- Convenience stores, many vending machines, coin lockers and some shops and restaurants.
How to get one:
- On an iPhone, you can add Suica, PASMO or ICOCA to Apple Wallet and top up with a card. This is often the easiest option.
- On Android, support depends on the phone model; many phones sold outside Japan cannot add Japanese IC cards, so check before you travel.
- Welcome Suica is a physical card designed for short-term visitors, sold at selected stations and airports. It has no deposit, but it expires after a set period and the remaining balance cannot be refunded.
- Standard physical cards have had limited availability in recent years; check the operator's website for the current situation.
IC cards generally cannot be used on their own for the Shinkansen (bullet train) or limited express trains that require a separate seat ticket; you will normally buy those tickets separately.
Shinkansen: how to buy tickets
For long distances — Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond — the Shinkansen is the fastest option. You can buy tickets at ticket machines with English menus, at staffed ticket offices, or online through the official JR booking websites for each region.
- Reserved vs non-reserved seats: reserved seats guarantee you a place; non-reserved cars are cheaper on some routes but can be full at busy times.
- Oversized luggage: on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, bags with total dimensions over 160 cm need a reservation for a seat with an oversized-baggage area. Book this in advance, or consider luggage forwarding.
- Peak periods: during Golden Week, Obon and New Year, reserve early.
The Japan Rail Pass: how to decide
The nationwide Japan Rail Pass covers most JR trains, including most Shinkansen, for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. It was once almost always a good deal, but its price rose significantly in 2023. Now it only pays off if you make several long-distance JR journeys within the validity period.
How to decide in four steps:
- Write down every long-distance train trip you plan, in order (for example: Tokyo → Kyoto, Kyoto → Hiroshima, Hiroshima → Osaka, Osaka → Tokyo).
- Look up the single fare for each trip, including the reserved-seat fee, using an official JR fare search or a reliable route planner.
- Add them up and compare the total with the current pass price on the official Japan Rail Pass website.
- Remember what the pass does not cover: subways and private railways in cities, and — unless you pay an extra supplement — the fastest Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen services.
For many simple routes, such as Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka and back, buying individual tickets often works out cheaper. Longer routes with many JR journeys — for example including Hiroshima, Kanazawa or northern Japan — are where the pass is more likely to pay off.
Regional passes: often the better deal
Japan's regional JR companies sell passes that cover a smaller area for fewer days, often at a much lower price. Examples include passes for the Kansai area (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe), Kansai plus Hiroshima, and various areas of eastern Japan. Some private railways also sell useful passes — for example, the Hakone Freepass covers the train from Shinjuku (with a surcharge on the Romancecar) and the loop of buses, cable cars, ropeway and boats around Hakone.
Use the same method: list your trips, price them individually, then compare with the regional pass.
Getting from the airport
- Narita: Narita Express (JR), Keisei Skyliner (to Ueno/Nippori), cheaper Keisei and airport buses.
- Haneda: Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail, plus limousine buses to major hotels.
- Kansai International: JR Haruka to Kyoto, Nankai trains to Namba (Osaka), and buses.
After a long-haul flight — especially at night, with children or with heavy luggage — a private transfer can be worth the cost. Welcome Pickups lets you book one in advance at a fixed price, with the driver meeting you in the arrivals hall.
Taxis, buses and walking
- Taxis are clean and safe, with automatic rear doors (do not open or close them yourself). They are expensive for long distances but useful for short hops, late nights and groups. Taxi apps work in major cities.
- City buses fill the gaps where trains do not go, for example in parts of Kyoto. Many use a board-at-the-back, pay-when-you-exit system; follow what others do.
- Walking: in Japan's cities you will walk a lot, often more than you expect. Comfortable shoes matter more than any pass.
Useful apps and habits
- Google Maps is very reliable for train routes, platforms and even which carriage to board for the best exit.
- Mobile data makes all of this far easier; see Japan eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi.
- Avoid rush hour with luggage, roughly 7:30–9:30 am on weekdays in Tokyo and Osaka.
- Station exits are numbered — check which exit is closest to your destination before you leave the platform.
Let the plan do the work
Our printable Japan itineraries include an IC card and JR Pass cost comparison for their exact routes, plus the order of travel that minimises backtracking. See the 5-day, 7-day and 10-day itineraries.
