Travel and Transport in Japan
Trains
The train system in Japan is second to none, clean, on time and efficient. However, it can be confusing! There are a number of different train companies, sometimes at the same station, major stations are huge and there are multiple exits that lead to different parts of town! Ok, so maybe its really confusing…
In Tokyo, there are multiple train companies. The most extensive are the JR or Japan Railway lines and the subway (Tokyo Metro and Toei Transportation), there are also seven private run railway lines.
In Tokyo the most well known of the train lines is the Yamanote or Green Line. This line runs a circle (The Green Circle) around Tokyo and includes many well know stations such as Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Ueno and Tokyo station. These trains have a green stripe on them and if you can find accommodation close to any of these stations, you will find access to many sights much easier.
On occasion different train lines run by different train companies will meet at the same train station. If you are switching from one to the other you tap out of one with your IC card (Suica or Pasmo) and then tap back into the other line. If you are buying paper tickets you will have to purchase another ticket. But never fear, the station staff often know enough English to help you on your way.
The other slightly confusing part is that there are multiple exits from the station that lead you out into different areas of the city, sometimes a long way away from the station. Google or apple maps worked really well for us in Tokyo and these apps will direct you to the correct exit, closest to your destination.
Some trains let you know what carriage you were and on where you were in relation to the exits coming up at the next station!
If you have older kids get them to take over the navigating and count how many times you get lost, it’s a hoot and better than the adults getting cranky at everyone! Although you might want to plan some extra time for getting lost…
Remember that if you have invested in a JR rail pass (see below) you’ll want to make the most of it and choose JR lines otherwise you will need to purchase additional tickets.
Shinkansen – bullet train
Japan’s bullet trains or Shinkansen are world famous. It is an exciting and efficient way to travel around the country. The trains are clean and comfortable. It’s an adventure for the kids and a great way to see the countryside flash by at up to 300km per hour! To complete the experience purchase an Ekiben (Eki= station, Ben = short for bento or lunch) at any major Shinkansen station and enjoy this on the train. You can also purchase some snacks and drinks on the train from the tea trolley that comes through or from vending machines on the train!
Other long distance trains such as the Thunderbird to Western Japan or the Romance car to Hakone, also require pre-booked tickets.
Tickets
Paper tickets can be bought at ticket machines at all stations. IC cards such as PASMO or SUICA cards, allow you to tap in and out of stations and can be topped up at all stations as needed. There are also fare adjustment machines inside the stations (usually yellow coloured machines) to top up from inside the station if you realise there is not enough money on your card to exit the station. PASMO and Suica cards are usually purchased in Japan, and can be used on all major train lines.
The Welcome Suica card is designed for foreign tourists and is a short term card which will last for 28 days. Both adult and child welcome Suica cards can be purchased from machines at the major airports. Welcome Suica cards can be topped up at ticket machines, 7 bank ATMs and convenience stores and can be used for travel on trains and buses as well as on vending machines and luggage lockers.
Some companies (see below) will enable you to pre-purchase your IC card and pick up on arrival in Japan, however, purchase when you arrive in Japan is usually fairly straight forward.
Children’s tickets
Infants – free travel
Free travel unless they occupy a seat in the reserved section or green carriage of a train, then they will need a child ticket.
Young Child 1-5 years old – free travel
Kids up to 5 years old travel free on trains in Japan but are not entitled to a seat if there are no empty seats. Note that two children 1-5years old per adult travel free. If you happen to be travelling as two adults with five children under five then you need help! and one child ticket!
Make sure you have your child’s passport with you (which is a legal requirement when travelling in Japan), in case you need to prove your child’s age. Ok so just to confuse things more… Japan school year starts in April and school age (elementary school) is 6 years old so if your child turns 6 before April 1 they will need a ticket but if they turn 6 after April 1 they may be able to travel free. It is a bit confusing so often for foreigners the age rule is used as it is easier.
Children 6-11 years – child’s fare
Children pay half price of the base fare. Child tickets can be bought at train stations or use the child welcome Suica. This card then ‘chirps’ as you pass through the gates, so make sure you give the right card to your child!
The children’s fare is for children in elementary school so if you have a 12 year old still in primary school you may be able purchase a child ticket. For one of our Shinkansen trips this was the case but not for another. It is confusing so ticket guards often just use the age rule for foreigners.
Children 12 years and older – adult ticket
Once in high school it’s full adult tickets on trains and most entrance fees throughout Japan as well. Traveling with kids under 12 is definitely much cheaper!
JR Pass
This is a pass for foreigners and provides free train travel on JR trains for 7, 14 or 21 days depending on which pass you purchase. This includes both the Shinkansen and the local trains that are owned by Japan Rail (JR). Remember that not all trains are run by JR so even with a JR pass you may still need to purchase some train tickets.
JR Pass must be bought in Australia (or the country you live in) before you leave. Make sure you order them in advance so the exchange voucher can be sent to you then exchange that in Japan and choose the date to activate your pass. When activating the pass, you can choose the day you want your pass to commence, it doesn’t have to be the day you activate it and you don’t have to activate it as soon as you arrive. The green ticket is like first class tickets and so more expensive.
JR rail pass is not valid for train companies other than JR, so you cannot use it on the Tokyo metro (keep that in mind when you look at accommodation and stations close by) for that you will need a PASMO or SUICA card or buy individual tickets.
The JR pass does include travel on the Shinkansen and this is where it is most likely to save you money. However, the JR pass will not let you ride on the fastest bullets trains such as the Nozomi.
If you want a reserved seat on the Shinkansen you will need to go to a ticket counter and book the tickets with the pass. This can be done weeks in advance. There are unreserved cars but when travelling with kids it is much easier and less stressful to book seats so you know you will be sitting together.
Note that kids up to 5 years old travel for free on trains. You don’t need tickets even when travelling on the Shinkansen. However, children riding free are not entitled to a seat so if there are no spare seats they will need to sit on your lap. If you want to guarantee they have a seat on a long Shinkansen trip, you will need to buy them a child’s ticket.
Use the hyperdia calculator if you are not sure if buying the JR rail pass will save you money with your travel itinerary.
NOTE the costs for the JR Pass increased on the 1st October 2023. So check the pricing before you buy. Generally, if you have a number of Shinkansen trips the JR pass is cost effective. However, if you are just based in Tokyo then it it liely that it will not be worth the cost.
There are many other local or regional passes. These may provide you with savings and can be bought when you are in Japan.
More info about train passes in Japan;
Pre purchase JR rail pass and regional rail passes through Japan Rail Pass or JTB travel Australia
Brilliant guide about regional rail passes by Japan Guide
Domestic flights for foreign travelers
Japan has previously had cheap local airfares for tourists. However, with the pandemic, many of these low cost flights ceased, however more budget carriers are offering cheap domestic flights for tourists. Check out the Japan Guide website for more details.
Flying can be a quick and sometime more cost effective way to travel, of course take into account whether your kids are good flyers. If you are planning to include Okinawa, flights are the best option. The ferries are much slower and will eat into days of your travel time.
Driving in Japan
If you are planning to travel to some of the more remote areas of Japan it could be worthwhile considering driving. Japan roads are generally good, however, they can be really narrow in small towns. Not many Japanese people drive mostly because the public transport system is so good but also because of the limited places to park your car. Make sure your accommodation has a car space or there is somewhere close to park.
Japan drives on the same side of the road as Australia, all you need is an international license from the NRMA. You can apply online or in person. We have done a few drives on our trips, one around the Kumamoto and Mount Aso area from Nagasaki (beautiful countryside), some driving in Okinawa which makes it much easier to get around (although be aware there are many Americans there that start driving on the wrong side of the road!) and some driving in the snow from Nozawa Onsen to Yamagata area – very scary driving in the snowy conditions! The navigation systems in hire cars are fantastic and most will be able to navigate in English. The navigation systems or ‘Navi’ work best if you can input the phone number of your destination.
Be aware that on the main roads everyone drives faster than the speed limits, and we felt pressure to keep up with the traffic speed.
There are a number of English websites where you can book hire cars while you are in Australia and there are a few cars that can accommodate 6 with all the bags, like we needed! I like ToCoo as it looks up a few centres and gives the best deals. It also shows on a map where the car yards are located so you can easily see how close the outlet is to the train station or airport. Car seats can be booked at the same time and is required for children under 6 years of age. More details here.
Some companies will allow you to pay a one way fee so that you can leave your car at another office and they will drive it back for you. This has been really useful when we are driving from one destination to the next.
If you plan to sample the local sake or umeshu, make sure that you have a designated driver, as the allowed blood alcohol level in in Japan when driving is ZERO!
Taxi
There are taxi stands at all major stations and shopping centres. They are clean and reliable and have automatic opening back doors, crocheted covers on the seats and the drivers wear white gloves, it is really like you have gone back in time a little. If you have your address written down or a map, or on your phone with the location they can usually get you where you need to go. We only occasionally used Taxis, because as a family of 5 we needed two! However, when we do they have been fantastic. If we can we will order a maxi taxi. If you are staying in a hotel they will be able to organise this for you. You don’t need a baby car seat in a taxi even in they are under 6 years old.
Limousine
This is not a limousine as we know it in Australia but more like a shuttle bus. You will see a ‘limousine’ service from the airport to Tokyo or from hotels to the airport or to popular spots such as Disneyland.
