Explore


Despite being formed by a group of main and other secondary islands and a large part of the country being occupied by mountains, super-technological Japan has developed an almost perfect transport network with prices in line with the quality.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

The country is served by internal flights JAL (Japan Airlines), ANA (All Nippon Airways) to almost all major cities which are generally relatively high priced. The low-cost company skymark operates the cheapest flights to and from cities on all the islands of the Japanese archipelago

Japan Air Pass

There is also the Japan Airpass, from the ANA / Star Alliance company, which includes 5 internal flights at a discount and can be purchased by visitors arriving in Japan on an international flight ANA.

TRAIN

The most practical and economical way to travel in Japan is a combination of train and subway (in cities) which are almost always connected to the main airports. In addition to being sophisticated and even luxurious (it even has its own hostesses), the bullet train Shinkansen It is considered faster and more practical than the plane, for trips of less than 600 km, but it is also not exactly cheap and must be booked well in advance, especially during the Japanese holiday periods, when places are sold out in a short time.

There are 4 types of Shinkansen with different services and prices:

Kodama – stops at more stations

Hikari – stops only in major cities

Tsubame – serves the island of Kyushu

Nozomi – The fastest of all and also the most expensive

The most accessible rail journeys are those made by trains that are slower and stop more often. Except for the cases of smaller stations in less developed areas of the country, there are often elevators and escalators that avoid greater efforts with heavy luggage.

Japan Rail Pass

The national railway company JR (Japan Railways) has created a series of rail passes (7,14 or 21 days in 1st or 2nd class) with different characteristics that also include bus and ferry sections. These passes allow you to substantially reduce the cost of train travel and pass through stations without stopping to buy tickets. Just show the passes to employees on tourniquets. If you have bulky luggage, these employees will open a wider door to facilitate your passage. O JR Pass it is not valid on any metro system in the country.

METRO

Japan's largest metro systems are Tokyo, followed by Osaka. Many other cities have their own less comprehensive systems. In the main ones there are signs in English (or, at least, Latin alphabet), also in ticket machines. The organization of the line systems – usually by color – the maps of the stations and exits and the sophistication implemented by the companies that manage them allow most visitors to get away from it without major problems, almost without having to question the station employees. These only very rarely speak English.

Subway trips can be paid for with individual tickets or with electronic charging cards/chips read by turnstiles. There are almost always elevators and escalators that avoid greater efforts with heavy luggage.

Public transport systems interrupt their service around midnight or 1 am and resume at 5 am.

CAR RENTAL

Hiring a car is justified just to visit the attractions in the rural or natural hinterland probably less traveled by train and buses.

The lowest price (eg for a Mazda Demi 1.3 petrol; 5 seats) is around €44 for 12 hours with insurance included. You must add to this expense between €22 to €45 of petrol per day depending on the kilometers you travel. Also note that most cars have automatic gears and right-hand drive. Driving is on the left.

All of this is complex at first, but once you've gotten used to it, driving in Japan is extremely easy and safe.

TRUCK

Long Distance Buses: The Japanese railway system is so extensive and functional that the need to resort to this solution is rare. In any case, the vehicles and service are little different from what exists in the West.

Urban buses: stations are almost always close to train stations and may have different payment systems including depositing coins in a box next to the driver when entering from the front. Or take tickets from a machine. In this case, there must be a number on the ticket, which must be compared with the one on the front panel, together with the number of the station at which you leave to determine the amount you must leave in the same type of box, next to the driver.