Japan Transportation Guide: Shinkansen, Japan Rail Pass, and the Tokyo Metro
Where can you buy Suica? Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it? Here's everything you need to know.
Japan's transport network is extremely extensive and efficient, as well as known for its incredible punctuality.
The Shinkansen
To travel between major cities, you can use the Shinkansen (bullet train) : fast, comfortable and spectacular, worth trying at least once.
Tickets can be purchased at all JR stations, and unless it's a peak season or a Japanese holiday, it's not necessary to reserve tickets online. Tickets can be purchased at both vending machines (cards and cash) and ticket counters.
For longer journeys involving multiple journeys, purchasing a Japan Rail Pass may be convenient.
This is a ticket that allows unlimited travel on almost all trains on the JR (Japan Railways) line, which is present almost everywhere in Japan.
The Japan Rail Pass must be purchased before traveling to Japan as, being a ticket reserved for tourists only, it can only be shipped to an address that is NOT Japanese.
The pass you receive at home must then be exchanged at JR offices inside some of the major stations for the actual ticket to be used to board the Shinkansen.
Japan Rail Pass prices have recently increased, making it less affordable than it once was. We recommend checking the prices for individual segments of your trip before rushing to purchase a Japan Rail Pass.
In addition to the Japan Rail Pass, there are also other regional passes that may be more convenient depending on your itinerary ( JR East Pass and JR Kansai Wide Area Pass ).
For travel within cities or in surrounding areas, however, there is almost always a widespread network of subways and buses .
All journeys can be paid for using an IC card .
Alternatively, just as there is the Japan Rail Pass for the Shinkansen, there are also multi-day passes for the subways of some cities ( Tokyo , Kyoto , Osaka , Hiroshima , Fukuoka , Nagoya ).
What is an IC Card?
It is a physical or virtual card that can be topped up and used to pay for travel on the metro, buses, overground trains and even for small purchases in convenience stores.
Each area has its own IC card, but the most popular is the SUICA, which can be purchased upon arrival in Japan at the airport and major stations. It works throughout Japan wherever IC cards are accepted.
If you have an iPhone, you can create a virtual one directly through the Wallet app (this feature is not currently supported by iPhone).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you buy Suica?
Suica can be purchased directly at the airport (Welcome Suica for tourists): the card is free but the first top-up must be at least 1000 yen.
Traditional Suica can be purchased at major JR stations in Tokyo.
How to buy Shinkansen tickets?
You can purchase Shinkansen tickets in three ways:
