Japan Transport Guide 2026: How to Get Around Like a Local

Getting around Japan sounds intimidating before you arrive. A rail network that covers the entire country, multiple train operators, different ticket types, and signage that is not always in English. It looks complicated from the outside.

In practice, it is one of the smoothest transport experiences in the world. Once you understand how the system fits together, moving between cities and around neighbourhoods becomes second nature within a day or two.

Here is what you need to know.

The Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

The Shinkansen is the backbone of long-distance travel in Japan and it is genuinely one of the great travel experiences. Trains run at speeds of up to 320km/h, they depart and arrive within seconds of schedule, and the ride itself is smooth and comfortable.

The main Tokaido Shinkansen line connects Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka, which covers most of what first-time visitors want to see. From there, lines extend further west toward Hiroshima and south to Fukuoka, and north toward Sendai, Akita, and Hokkaido.

If you are planning to travel between multiple cities, the Japan Rail Pass is almost certainly worth buying. It covers unlimited travel on most Shinkansen services and a large portion of the wider JR network for a fixed price. Critically, it must be purchased outside Japan before you travel, so factor this into your planning.

City Transport

Within cities, trains and subways are the way to move. Tokyo alone has one of the most extensive metro systems in the world, covering virtually every corner of the city with trains running from early morning until just after midnight.

Kyoto is an exception. It has limited subway coverage and relies more heavily on buses, which run frequently and connect all the major tourist sites. A day bus pass is good value if you are planning to visit multiple spots.

Osaka has an excellent subway system that is easy to navigate and covers the city well.

IC Cards

An IC card is a prepaid transport card that works across trains, subways, and buses in most major cities, and can also be used to pay at convenience stores, vending machines, and some restaurants.

Suica and Pasmo are the two most common cards and both work nationwide. You can now add a Suica card directly to your iPhone wallet, which is genuinely convenient and means one less physical card to carry.

Load some credit onto your IC card when you arrive and tap in and out at every gate. It takes the mental load out of figuring out individual fares each time you travel.

Buses

Long-distance overnight buses connect major cities at a fraction of the Shinkansen price. They take significantly longer but if you are on a tighter budget and travelling overnight, they are a practical option. The quality is generally good, with reclining seats and reasonable comfort for the price.

Local buses fill the gaps in areas where the rail network does not reach, particularly in rural areas and smaller towns. They usually require exact change or IC card payment.

Taxis and Ride Sharing

Taxis in Japan are clean, reliable, and expensive. They are fine for short trips when nothing else is convenient but not practical for regular use. Ride-sharing apps like Uber have limited availability outside of certain cities and are not the go-to option they might be at home.

Getting Around Without Getting Lost

Japan's train stations can be enormous and disorienting at first. Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station in particular are genuinely complex. Give yourself extra time when navigating a new station for the first few times.

Google Maps works extremely well in Japan for public transport navigation. It gives accurate train times, platform numbers, and step-by-step directions through even the larger stations. Having reliable mobile data makes this the single most useful tool you will carry.

This is where an Ozly eSIM earns its keep. Rather than hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots every time you need to check a route or platform, you have your own connection on demand. Trains, rural towns, underground stations. Wherever you are, your navigation works. Plans start from $1.60 and install in one tap before you leave home.

Good To Know

The Japan Rail Pass must be bought before you travel and covers most Shinkansen routes. An IC card handles all city transport and small purchases. Google Maps is your best navigation tool. Have some cash on hand for buses and smaller operators. And get your data sorted before you land so the directions work the moment you step off the plane.

Japan's transport system rewards a small amount of upfront research with an incredibly smooth experience on the ground. Once you understand the basics, getting around becomes one of the genuine pleasures of travelling there rather than a source of stress. Plan ahead, get your rail pass sorted, load your IC card, and make sure your phone is connected from the moment you arrive.