Travel Within Japan in Style!

Posted on 11/07/2023 Last updated on 03/30/2024

The moment we arrive in Japan, many of us would have questions of how we get access this place or how long it takes from our starting point. We even ask ourselves on our commute, “Which is easier to use?” “How much does it cost?” Well, there is no need to fear, because there are many ways to get through your destination. In every travel throughout Japan, we get to discover new places and learn unique experiences. Some of the cities we would like to discover are remote, so there may be only one way to get there. But we are there for the experience and learning, so let’s check them out.

Highway Bus

(A highway bus parked at Ebina Service Area. Photo by me, taken on July 30, 2023)

The first method to get to your city destination in by bus. There are different types of buses that you can take while travelling in Japan. One of them includes an overnight highway bus, where its departure is scheduled late at night and the arrival will be early morning the next day. The disadvantage is that travel time takes much longer; one example is from Tokyo to Osaka is about 8 hours travel time.

The advantage of taking buses is that you can save a lot of money when you make reservations ahead of time. Depending on the day you will travel, prices can range from ¥3300 to ¥10000 (www.yoyakutol.com) but there are different days you an choose when you want to travel. One thing to remember is that prices change over time, so it is best to reserve your seat ahead of time.

Trains/Shinkansen

(A Shinkansen leaving Shin-Yokohama station. Photo by me, taken on July 28, 2023)

Travelling by train is another popular method of transportation in Japan. Major stations in Japan have their timetables and destinations posted so you have an idea of what time to catch the next train and where will be your next stop. If you are travelling within neighboring prefectures, the regional lines (example, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line running between Saitama, Tokyo, and Kanagawa, JR Kyoto/Kobe Line running between Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo) will be your best friend along the way when visiting cities within the region.

Various lines will give you more opportunities to explore the neighboring prefectures and other parts of the prefecture. If you are looking to travel the entire country by train, the Shinkansen will be your go-to ride. The Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (running between Tokyo and Hakata) is the most travelled route within the country so whenever you are planning to visit Kyoto, Osaka, or as far as Kagoshima, Shinkansen will be at your service. Remember that when you have the JR Pass with you, there are some restrictions enforced when using the Pass for the Shinkansen.

There are also other Shinkansen lines that you can take whenever you want to explore the Tohoku, Hokuriku, or Kyushu regions. Asie from the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen, the other Shinkansen lines you can take are as follows: Tohoku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen, Hokuriku Shinkansen, Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen. These are the Shinkansen lines that will connect you to different cities within Japan and widen your network. The Shinkansen also comes in a huge competition with domestic air travel in terms of fares so this can open another option for travelling within the country.

Air Travel

Photo by まるう

Another method of travel within Japan is by air, where you can visit some cities that are not accessible by train or may be accessible but takes a longer time. The 2 main carriers of Japan are Japan Airlines (JL, JAL, Nihon-Koku 日本航空), and All Nippon Airways (NH, ANA, Zen Nippon Kuyu or Zenniku全日空), plus other low-cost carriers. For example, when you are planning to visit Hokkaido, there are options to take the Shinkansen or travel by plane all the way to Sapporo.

It also gives you the decision to which one will be faster and more economical in terms of price. Whether you look for the adventure or to save some money, there are viable options to choose when travelling. If you are wanting to visit Okinawa, your only option is by plane, as it is in the southern part of Japan. Travelling by air offers competitive prices and gives you the opportunity to earn some mileage points whenever you sign up for membership.

Conclusion

Travelling within Japan gives you the opportunity to discover new things and give a better understanding of their culture. Whether you are in a budget or looking for an adventure to remember, these are some of the options you can choose for your trip. Buses and trains will keep you grounded and present more opportunities to explore even more; air travel gives you the peace of mind that you will get to your destination faster and can save you some cash. So let’s pack up and plan your getaway trip to Japan! We look forward to seeing you here!

Photo Credits:

Top photo: EIKICHI on PhotoAC

Additional photos provided by the author (used with permission) and まるう