Getting Around#

Japan Rail Pass#

The overall Rail Pass is no longer a cost-effective option. Just get an IC card, and pay as you go. There may be cost savings in some of the regional passes. Japan Guide has a helpful calculator that can help you figure out if any of them are worth the price: https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/

IC Cards (Suica / PASMO)#

Get a Suica at the airport, unless you’re specifically aiming to get one of the other rail cards for souvenir purposes. They’re all cross compatible these days, so the only reason to choose one over another is because you prefer the look. I’ve chosen to buy a new one each time from the different regions I’ve visited, so I have a small collection.

You can put your Suica on your phone if you’re using an iPhone. Android users are still SOL unless you have one built for the Japanese market.

For physical IC cards, you’ll need to use cash to recharge them, so your order of operations is ATM -> Ticket Machine.

Shinkansen (Bullet Trains)#

The Shinkansen and any Limited Express trains need special ticketing - you can’t just tap your IC card on and off. There are ticket machines at the major stations you can use, and they’ll have English menus. If you’re having trouble using them, or can’t find them, the folks working at the JR “Green Window” ticket counters are very helpful. I’ve found they’re much faster at finding open seats than I am using the machine. Some of them speak English, but not all.

Local Trains & Subway#

This will probably be the bulk of your transportation. Tap your IC card as you enter a station, then again as you leave. The fare will be calculated automatically based on distance, and deducted. It will make an angry sound and flash an error at you if your balance is too low - it’s not a huge deal, just back up and go find a ticket machine to recharge.

Buses#

If the trains don’t get you where you need to go, you’ll probably be able to take a bus. Kyoto is much more reliant on busses than Tokyo - notably you’ll need to use a bus to get to Kinkaku-ji. Most busses you can pay the fare with your IC card (look for the logo near the bus door). The usual pattern is to beep your card as you get on at the rear door, then again as you get off at the front door. It does vary from place to place, so watch what the locals do.

Some places don’t yet have IC card support on their busses. These usually have you take a paper ticket when you get on, then pay in exact change as you get off. Big cities this won’t be a problem, but the farther out you go, the more likely you are to have to figure it out on the fly.

Taxis & Rideshare#

Taxis are clean and safe, and relatively cheap compared to the states. I’ve used them to get to and from the airport in Tokyo, and from Sapporo station to my hotel, mostly because I didn’t want to lug all of my baggage across town. All of the ones I used would take a credit card.