Getting around Japan by train (how-to tutorial).

Getting Around Japan.

3/15/2016

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?

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.

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.

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).

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.

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)

Using Hyperdia Example

(Osaka Kansai Airport--> Kyoto, Main train station).

Click for bigger view.

(Osaka Kansai Airport--> Kyoto, Main train station).

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)

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!

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.

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).