• Travel Blog
  • Japan Trip Planning
  • Las Vegas Trip Reports
  • Reviews
  • About
                           hiohio.net

 hiohio.net-   travels. planning. trip reports. food.

Getting Around Japan.

3/15/2016

0 Comments

 

Picture
There's so many ways to discover Japan.  You can get around by train, subways, buses, ferries, and air.
​
​Train travel to me is the trickiest and most overwhelming part of planning since there's
Japan Rail and local subways (owned by different companies).

There's a multitude of regional (discount) passes on offer and information changes all the time.

​
Once you get off the plane, how will you will get from the airport to your accommodation?

Picture
Often overlooked, the official airport pages 
is a wealth of access information.

SAPPORO
​The New Chitose Airport (CTS)  |   CTS Airport Map

TOKYO
Haneda International Airport (HND) |  HND Airport Map
​Narita International Airport (NRT)    |  NRT Airport Map T1  |  T2  |  T3

​
NAGOYA
​
Chubu Centrair International Airport  (NGO)  |  NGO Airport Map

OSAKA
​Kansai International Airport  (KIX)   |  KIX Airport Map
​Osaka (Itami) International Airport (ITM)   |   ITM Airport Map

FUKUOKA
Fukuoka Airport  (FUK)   |   FUK Airport Map

KAGOSHIMA
​
Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)  |  KOJ Airport Map

OKINAWA
​Naha Okinawa Airport (OKA)  |  OKA Airport Map

​Maybe it's just me, but I like to consult the airport maps to get an idea of where everything is located (ATMs, information counter, restrooms, bus ticket counters, train station, etc.).

​Armed with information in-hand, I do a pre-walkthrough in my head prior to landing.

Picture

​To me, one of the most convenient ways of getting from the airport to your hotel is using Limo buses.  

There's no need to worry about getting lost, transfers, or finding a seat. 
​ It's also inexpensive too.  
​ I talked more about it on it's own page. 
​

Picture
  • My newest favorite APP is Navitime Japan (Android/ Apple).  Super user-friendly (as of 2018)! 
  • Use Hyperdia
  • Or the alternative: Jourdan.

  • Compare to see if getting a JR rail pass is beneficial vs. pay as you go on re-loadable IC cards (SUICA/ PASMO/ ICOCA, etc.).  You must purchase a JR pass voucher before arriving in Japan (~ 90 days prior to arriving).
​

Picture
  • Check if there are discount travel passes (some that give you admission + 1 day free use of the city you are traveling in,
              or bundled savings).  
  • There's tons of variations out there, some includes free or discounted admission to popular sights and shops.
Picture
Osaka Aquarium + 1 day Subway/ Train pass.
  • Airport + train bundle passes:
    • N'EX from Narita Airport to Tokyo.
    • ICOCA + Haruka for Osaka.
  • Kyoto Sightseeing passes.
  • Osaka Amazing Pass.
  • Kansai Through Pass. (Non-JR subways/ buses)​    
  • JR Kansai Wide Pass (JR trains only). ​
  • Hokuriku Arch Pass (JR trains only; covers Tokyo-Hokuriku-Osaka)

Picture

Using Hyperdia Example

(Osaka Kansai Airport--> Kyoto, Main train station).
Picture
Click for bigger view.

​(Osaka Kansai Airport--> Kyoto, Main train station).
Picture
Picture
Here's a good explanation of all the different symbols Hyperdia uses.  

If you use Jourdan instead of Hyperdia, that same search would look like:
​
​(KIX Airport --> Kyoto)​
Picture

Picture
​
  • Book Bullet Train (Shinkansen), Limited Express, Ordinary express trains, or ferry tickets in advance if possible (once you arrive in Japan).  
    • [Online]​  For JR East (Tokyo area).
    • [In-person] Visit the nearest Midori-Madoguchi (Ticket Office).
  • Certain passes can be reserved in advance:
    • ​​[Online]:  Haruka+ ICOCA pass reservation. 
      • For Kansai airport to Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka only. ​
  • Taxis in Japan are generally very pricey.  But in Kyoto it is actually really reasonable.
    • If you plan to take Taxis and anticipate language barrier, download a photo of your final destination (of a specific temple for example) to help your driver.
  • You can also utilize apps!
    • Hyperdia has one for Android + Apple devices (free for the first 30-days, then monthly at $2.99).  Though their website version is always free!
​

Picture
  • Ferries. (Routes, frequency, cost).
  • Night/ Highway buses. 
    • ​Economical, but at the expense of time.
  • Planes. 
    • I recommend looking into domestic open-jaw flights!  Faster than taking a bullet train and sometimes cheaper.

Picture
  • JPRail.com is a wonderful resource about everything you would need to know about train travel in Japan (photos, in-depth comparison of trains, subways, comparison of different discount passes, and itinerary ideas). 

  • It looks like many people run their itinerary by the webmaster in the comments area to nail down the transportation passes they should buy. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    intro

    Hi there, I'm Hio. 

    I've had the pleasure of calling Oahu (Hawaii) my home for many years and now live in
    ​Arizona, USA.

    Here you will find mini-recaps of some of my trips and finds.  All opinions
    ​are my own.
    ​
    ​More about me here.

    ​Enjoy your stay!​​

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    FREE planning check-list!
    Japan navigational banner
    Las Vegas navigational banner
    Oahu navigational banner
    Macau navigational banner
    Hong Kong navigational banner
    China navigational banner

    other categories

     Afternoon Tea
    ​Arizona

    ​Beijing
    Japan Trip Planning
    Kyoto
    Las Vegas Brunches
    ​Las Vegas Trip Reports
    Nagano
    ​Nara
    How-To get to Macau from Hong Kong via Ferry (​TurboJET).
    ​How-To Plan your 1st Japan Trip!

    ​

    RSS Feed


    instagram

    #adaywithhio


    archives

    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    September 2012

    disclaimer

    The provided links are solely for the purpose of your convenience, as I am not affiliated with any company mentioned. 

    Please use them at your own discretion as I am not liable for any of the outcomes  (since your  experiences may be different from mines).

    My
    non-professional notes and advice are provided for educational and entertainment purpose only. 

    Should you decide to use them on your own trips, I am really honored.  I try to provide accurate information at the time of posting.  But please be doubly sure and do your own research too! 


Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Travel Blog
  • Japan Trip Planning
  • Las Vegas Trip Reports
  • Reviews
  • About