Spread across 7,000 islands and dotted with megacities, mountain ranges and mighty national parks, Japan can be a little overwhelming to first-time visitors keen to pack their vacation with major attractions.
But look a little closer, and you’ll find this Asian powerhouse is a delight to travel around, whether by train, ferry or using a hired set of wheels. Here’s everything you need to know about getting around Japan.
Trains are the most popular way for travelers to explore Japan, and arguably the best. They are fast, efficient and extremely reliable, and though they are not the cheapest form of transport available (the first price hike in decades happened in October 2023), they can get you just about anywhere in the country with minimal stress.
The main operator is Japan Railways, commonly known as "JR," which is several distinct rail systems providing one linked service throughout the country. JR runs the famous Shinkansen (bullet train) routes, which reach nearly 320km/h (200mph) speeds as they whizz between Japan’s major cities. In addition to JR services, there is a huge network of private railways, with each large city usually having at least one private train line that services it and the surrounding area. There are a couple of sleeper train services still in operation.
Major stations are signposted in English, and stops on long-haul trains are announced in English. The most challenging aspect of riding trains in Japan is navigating the sometimes enormous stations with their multiple routes. Allow plenty of time to find your way to the platform you need.
Tickets can be purchased from either touch screen vending machines in major train stations (most have an English function, and those for Shinkansen journeys accept credit cards), from midori-no-madoguchi, which functions as JR’s in-house travel agency and can be found at major JR stations, or from travel agencies in Japan, which can also often be found within train stations. Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) also has branches everywhere. Ticket prices are comparable with train fares in Western Europe, with faster services costing more than slow trains.
Seat reservations can only be made for Shinkansen (bullet train) services and certain tokkyū (limited express) lines (in which case they are required). Reserved-seat tickets can be bought anytime from a month in advance to the day of departure. Otherwise, tickets are unreserved, meaning no allocated seat; these tickets won’t sell out, but you might find yourself standing if all seats are occupied.
Many visitors to Japan take the option of buying rail passes, which can make train travel in the country cheaper if you plan to undertake numerous rail trips during your visit. The Japan Rail Pass is a popular
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In a tragic accident on Tuesday, a Japan Airlines plane and Japanese coast guard aircraft collided on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The crash killed five coast guard crew members who were on their way to deliver aid to victims of a deadly earthquake that hit Western Japan on Monday.
“We regret to inform you that on the evening of January 2, JL516 was involved in a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft during its landing at Haneda Airport, resulting in a fire on the runway. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased members of the Japan Coast Guard,” Japan Airlines wrote in a memo about a Tuesday evening runway collision that resulted in the Japan Airlines flight 516 erupting into flames.
A Japan Airlines Airbus plane burst into flames after colliding with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on the ground at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on Tuesday. All 378 passengers and crew members on board the Airbus A350 widebody plane survived, but five people aboard the coast guard plane have died.
Flights are again departing from Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) following a runway disaster that left at least five Japanese service members dead and two aircraft destroyed.
Passports could become a thing of the past for those arriving in the UK under new Home Office plans to create ‘frictionless travel’ at Britain’s borders. New hi-tech e-gates will be fitted at airports which will be so advanced they will allow arrivals into the country using only advanced facial recognition.
With its pulsing, modern cities, beautiful rural landscapes and world-renowned cuisine, Japan is one of the top stops for travelers seeking a fully immersive Asian experience. And there's good news: travelers dreaming of a long-awaited trip to Japan need wait no longer – after establishing some of the world’s strictest border control policies during COVID-19, Japan has opened visa-free travel for visitors from most countries.
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The most festive time of year is now and with just under two weeks left before the end of 2023, time is running out to explore some of the world's very best Christmas markets.
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Hop a plane across several time zones, and you may end up with what scientists call circadian dysrhythmia (aka jet lag). It’s a temporary sleep disorder where your body’s internal clock isn’t in sync with the time cues in your destination—daylight, dark of night, mealtimes.
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