🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Japan
✈️ Flying to Japan
Main Airports
Narita International Airport (NRT) - Tokyo's main international gateway, 60km from city center. Most international flights arrive here. Narita Express train takes 60 minutes to Tokyo Station.
Haneda Airport (HND) - Tokyo's city airport, closer to central Tokyo (20km). More domestic flights, but increasing international routes. Faster and more convenient if your flight arrives here.
Other Major International Airports:
- Kansai International Airport (KIX) - Osaka/Kyoto gateway, on artificial island. Express trains to Kyoto (75 min) and Osaka (50 min)
- Chubu Centrair (NGO) - Nagoya area, central Japan access
- New Chitose Airport (CTS) - Sapporo/Hokkaido gateway, 45 min from city
- Fukuoka Airport (FUK) - Kyushu island, southern Japan hub
💡 Insider Tip
Haneda is much more convenient than Narita for Tokyo—closer to the city, faster trains, easier late-night arrival. If you have a choice, choose Haneda. Many flights now route through here.
🚆 From Tokyo Airports to City Center
From Narita Airport (NRT)
Narita Express (N'EX): Fast train to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya. Journey time: 60-90 minutes. Cost: ¥3,070-3,250. Most convenient option.
Keisei Skyliner: Express to Ueno. Journey time: 41 minutes. Cost: ¥2,520. Fastest option to northeast Tokyo.
Airport Limousine Bus: Direct to hotels/areas. Journey time: 90-120 minutes depending on traffic. Cost: ¥3,200. Comfortable with luggage.
Taxi: Fixed-price available. Journey time: 60-90 minutes. Cost: ¥20,000-25,000 to central Tokyo. Only for groups or late arrivals.
From Haneda Airport (HND)
Tokyo Monorail: To Hamamatsucho, then JR Yamanote Line. Journey time: 20-30 minutes total. Cost: ¥500-650.
Keikyu Line: Direct to Shinagawa, Shibuya, Asakusa. Journey time: 15-30 minutes. Cost: ¥400-600. Fast and cheap.
Airport Limousine Bus: Direct to hotels. Journey time: 30-60 minutes. Cost: ¥1,200-1,300.
Taxi: Journey time: 30-40 minutes to central Tokyo. Cost: ¥6,000-8,000. Reasonable for 2-3 people with luggage.
⛴️ Other Ways In
Ferry from South Korea—Busan to Fukuoka (about 3 hours) or Osaka (overnight). Popular with budget travelers. JR Beetle hydrofoil or overnight ferries available.
Ferry from China—Shanghai to Osaka/Kobe (2 days), multiple operators. Cheaper than flying but time-consuming. Popular with Chinese tourists.
Ferry from Russia—Vladivostok to several Japanese ports. Infrequent, more adventure than convenience. Check current status (geopolitics affect routes).
No land borders—Japan is an island nation. All entry is by air or sea. No trains or roads connect to mainland Asia.
Domestic island hopping—Many smaller islands accessible by local ferries. Okinawa, Ishigaki, Miyajima, and more have regular ferry service.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Japan offers visa-free entry for tourism. US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, EU, and 60+ countries can enter visa-free for tourism up to 90 days.
This is NOT part of the Schengen Area—it's a separate 90-day allowance for Japan only. You cannot extend this tourist visa. If you overstay, you face serious consequences including deportation and future entry bans.
Requirements: Valid passport (6 months validity recommended), return/onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds if asked. Immigration may ask about your plans—be honest and prepared.
Check visa requirements for Japan →🚄 Getting Around Japan
Shinkansen (Bullet Trains)
Japan's high-speed train network connects major cities at 300 km/h. Tokyo to Kyoto: 2 hours 15 minutes. Tokyo to Osaka: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Expensive without JR Pass: Tokyo-Kyoto one-way ¥13,320. If you're doing 2-3 long trips, JR Pass saves money.
JR Pass: 7-day ¥29,650, 14-day ¥47,250, 21-day ¥60,450. Must be purchased before arriving in Japan. Covers most JR trains including many Shinkansen routes.
Local Trains (JR, Metro, Private Lines)
Extensive networks in all cities. Tokyo has JR Yamanote Line (loop around city), Tokyo Metro (13 lines), plus private railways.
Osaka Metro, Kyoto buses/subways, regional JR lines. All are clean, punctual, efficient—but complex for first-timers.
Get an IC card (Suica or Pasmo)—rechargeable smart card works on all trains/buses nationwide. Buy at any station, load with cash, tap to enter/exit.
Buses (Long Distance)
Night buses connect major cities much cheaper than trains. Tokyo-Kyoto night bus: ¥3,000-6,000 vs ¥13,000+ for Shinkansen.
Comfortable, safe, but slower. Good for budget travelers. Book online in advance.
Domestic Flights
ANA and JAL operate extensive domestic routes. Tokyo to Sapporo, Tokyo to Okinawa are faster by plane than train.
Budget airlines (Peach, Jetstar Japan) offer cheap flights. Book early for best prices. Haneda and Narita both have domestic terminals.
🎫 JR Pass Tip
JR Pass pays off if you're doing Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Tokyo (or equivalent distance). For Tokyo-only or Kyoto-only trips, it's NOT worth it. Calculate your routes before buying. The pass must be purchased outside Japan before you arrive.
🚇 Local Transportation in Tokyo
Tokyo's train/subway system is massive—13 Tokyo Metro lines, 4 Toei lines, JR lines, plus private railways. It's overwhelming at first but logical once you understand it.
IC Cards (Essential!)
- Suica or Pasmo: Rechargeable smart cards, work nationwide (¥500 deposit, refundable)
- Buy at any station: English option on machines, load with cash
- How it works: Tap on entry, tap on exit—fare automatically calculated and deducted
- Works everywhere: All trains, buses, even some vending machines and convenience stores
Apps You Need
Hyperdia or Google Maps: Both show train routes, times, platform numbers, and costs. Essential for navigation.
Official railway apps: Tokyo Metro, JR East have English apps with real-time info.
Trains run until midnight, restart at 5am. Miss the last train? Night buses, taxis (expensive), or manga cafes for overnight stay.
🚙 Renting a Car
NOT recommended in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto—trains are better, parking is expensive and scarce, traffic is dense.
GOOD for: Hokkaido, rural areas, Mt. Fuji region, Japanese Alps, Okinawa islands, anywhere trains don't reach well.
Requirements
- International Driving Permit (IDP) required for most countries (UK, US, Canada, Australia, etc.). Get it before you leave home—Japan does NOT issue them.
- Drive on the left (same as UK, Australia, Japan)
- Tolls are expensive: Tokyo to Kyoto expressway ¥10,000+. Budget for tolls separately.
- GPS/navigation essential: Rent one with English navigation or use Google Maps offline.
- Parking fees: ¥300-600/hour in cities. Hotels charge extra for parking.
⚠️ Important
You MUST have an International Driving Permit to rent and drive in Japan. Your home country license alone is not valid. Get your IDP from your home country before traveling (AAA in US, post offices in UK, etc.).
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Japan
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- JR Pass ONLY if you're traveling far: Not worth it for Tokyo-only trips
- IC card for local transport: Slightly cheaper than paper tickets, way more convenient
- Night buses instead of Shinkansen: Save 50-70% on long-distance travel
- Budget airlines for long distances: Tokyo-Sapporo, Tokyo-Okinawa cheaper by Peach/Jetstar
- Avoid taxis: Trains are faster and 1/10th the cost in cities
- Convenience stores over airport food: 7-Eleven has cheap, good food—stock up there instead of airport prices