Getting around
Getting around Japan comes down to a few recurring decisions: which airport link to take on arrival, whether a rail pass earns its price on your route, and where you will need a bus, a rental car or a booking in advance.
For arrival, the Narita to Tokyo guide and the Haneda to Tokyo guide compare trains, buses and taxis by destination. For everyday rides, the IC card comparison helps you pick a card. Before you buy a pass, the Japan Rail Pass review adds up fares on common loops, and the Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen guide covers booking and baggage rules on that route.
If you want to drive, the driving guide explains permits, rental checks and tolls. This page lists many more guides, from regional passes in Hokkaido, Kansai, Hokuriku and Shikoku to bus routes for Shirakawa-go, Churaumi Aquarium and the Iya Valley.
28 articles
Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass 2026: ¥19,800 Worth It?
JR Central's 5-day pass costs ¥19,800. It suits one-way trips between Kansai Airport or Osaka and Nagoya via Shirakawa-go, not round trips from Nagoya.
Churaumi Aquarium Without a Car: ¥2,000 Bus from Naha (2026)
Yanbaru Express runs from Naha Airport to Churaumi Aquarium for 2,000 yen; the last bus back leaves at 17:22. Bus 117, Airport Shuttle and tours compared.
Hokkaido Rail Pass Worth It? ¥22,000 vs Fares (2026)
JR Hokkaido's 5-day pass is ¥22,000 bought ahead; a Sapporo–Hakodate round trip plus both airport trains costs the same. Routes, area passes, exclusions.
Kansai WIDE Area Pass: Worth It at ¥12,000 for 5 Days (2026)
JR West's 5-day pass costs ¥12,000; a Shin-Osaka–Okayama Nozomi round trip on smartEX costs ¥12,520. What it covers, what it does not, how to book.
Nagoya to Takayama (2026): Hida in About 2h20m, or Bus?
The Hida limited express reaches Takayama from Nagoya in about 2 hours 20 minutes, and a 12,370 yen JR ticket covers the round trip. When the bus fits.
Tokyo to Hakodate: Train or Plane? (2026) ¥23,760 Shinkansen
Flying is faster: about 1 h 20 min in the air vs about 4 h 30 min or more by Shinkansen. The ¥40,000 JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass makes the train pay.
Tokyo to Kanazawa Shinkansen (2026): ¥14,400, How to Book
Kagayaki: Tokyo to Kanazawa in 2 hours 27 minutes, all seats reserved. JR West's e-ticket is ¥14,400, and seats go on sale at 10:00 one month ahead.
Hiroshima to Miyajima (2026): JR, ¥240 Tram or Direct Boat
JR from Hiroshima Station takes about 28 minutes to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10-minute ferry. Tram: ¥240 flat. Peace Park boat: ¥2,400. Plus ¥100 tax.
Hiroshima Day Trip from Kyoto or Osaka (2026): ¥17,000 Pass
On the October 14, 2026 timetable, Nozomi 101 left Kyoto at 6:55 for Hiroshima (8:36). The ¥17,000 Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass beats a ¥21,500 round trip.
Hakodate to Sapporo (2026): ¥9,770 Train vs Bus vs Plane
Take the Limited Express Hokuto: about 3 h 30 min and ¥9,770 one way for adults. The highway bus is cheaper but slower, and flying rarely saves time.
Hiraizumi and Geibikei Gorge in One Day Without a Car
Yes, by train from Ichinoseki: Geibikei's 8:30 boat first, Hiraizumi's temples after lunch. Ofunato Line times, boat hours by season and the trains back.
Iya Vine Bridge in Winter: Hours, the 2027 Rebuild and Buses
The Kazurabashi vine bridge is open in winter except during its 2027 rebuild; the Oku-Iya bridges and Kotohira shuttle stop. Hours, buses from Oboke, snow.
Kumano Kodo Day Trip from Osaka or Kyoto: Is It Possible?
Only a short section, and only on the first Kuroshio. Daimonzaka to Nachi fits a same-day return; what works from Kii-Tanabe, and when to stay a night.
Rail Pass for Matsue and Izumo: Which JR West Pass Pays Off?
The San'in-Okayama Area Pass is no longer listed. Compare the Tottori-Matsue, Kansai-San'in and Sanyo-San'in passes for a Matsue and Izumo trip.
Oboke and Iya Valley Rail Pass (2026): 12,000 Yen for 3 Days
The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass, 12,000 yen for 3 days, suits a Shikoku loop via Oboke; for Okayama to Oboke and back, single tickets at 8,540 yen cost less.
Shirakawa-go With Luggage (2026): Lockers Until 17:00
Yes: book each bus leg separately and leave your bag in a terminal locker, 500 yen per box, until 17:00. Bus pairs Kanazawa–Takayama, costs, forwarding.
Hokuriku Arch Pass: Is It Worth It for Tokyo–Kanazawa–Osaka?
The JR West Hokuriku Arch Pass price since March 2026, what it covers, and whether it beats single tickets on three common Tokyo–Kanazawa–Kansai routes.
Kyoto to Kanazawa: Tsuruga Transfer in 8 Minutes (2026)
Thunderbird to Tsuruga, then the Hokuriku Shinkansen: JR West allows 8 minutes to change, floor 1 to floor 3. Tickets, luggage, late trains.
Noto Peninsula Without a Car? Bus, Train, Tour or Rental
Which parts of Noto you can reach by train and bus from Kanazawa, when you need a car or guided bus, where to rent, and road status after the 2024 quake.
Shirakawa-go Day Trip from Kanazawa (2026): 8:40 Bus Plan
Yes, it works as a day trip: the 8:40 bus from Kanazawa Station West Exit and the 13:50 back give 3 h 45 min in the village. Every seat must be booked.
Driving in Japan: IDP, Car Rental and Tolls Explained
Which permit lets you drive in Japan (Geneva IDP or JAF translation), what the rental counter checks, how ETC tolls work, and the road rules that differ.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo: Keikyu, Monorail, Bus or Taxi?
From Haneda to Shinagawa, Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Asakusa: Keikyu, Monorail, Limousine bus or fixed-fare taxi, fastest vs cheapest, with operator fares.
Which IC Card Should Tourists Get in Japan? (2026 Guide)
On iPhone, Welcome Suica Mobile: no deposit, valid 180 days. Otherwise Welcome Suica or TOURIST PASMO, valid 28 days. Refunds, ICOCA and where to buy.
Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It in 2026? ¥50,000 vs Fares
The 7-day JR Pass stays ¥50,000 online; agencies charge ¥53,000 for purchases from October 1, 2026. Fares added up for Kyoto, Hiroshima and Hakata loops.
Kyoto to Osaka by Train: JR, Hankyu, Keihan or Shinkansen?
Fastest and cheapest trains between Kyoto and Osaka by area: JR Special Rapid, Hankyu, Keihan or Shinkansen, with operator fares, times and stations.
Narita Airport to Tokyo (2026): Skyliner from 36 Minutes
Skyliner to Nippori from 36 minutes (¥2,580), Narita Express direct to Tokyo Station and Shinjuku, or a ¥1,500 low-cost bus to Tokyo Station or Ginza.
Okinawa Car Rental: Naha Airport Pick-up, Shuttles and Tolls
Do you need a car in Okinawa? How to book, where the rental shuttles leave at Naha Airport, what to bring, Okinawa Expressway tolls, and returning on time.
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen: fares, trains and booking
Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama from Tokyo to Kyoto: JR Central fares by season, travel times, booking via smartEX or station, and the oversized-baggage rule.
