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Transportation
Shinkansen
Traveling at speeds of up to 300km/h, the Shinkansen is one of the fastest trains in the world. It's also the safest, as it boasts a 40 year record without a fatal accident. The Shinkansen can whisk you from Tokyo to Kyoto in as little as 2 hours 20 minutes or Nagoya in 1 hour 40 minutes. Travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima can be completed in as little as 1 hour 40 minutes.
* The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on all types of Shinkansen. Be sure to check conditions and limitations.
Airports & Domestic Airlines
Narita International Airport (NRT) :
Closest Major City: Tokyo
Offers flights to 36 countries, 2 territories, and 97 cities.
Haneda International Airport (HND) :
Closest Major City: Tokyo
Offers flights to 9 countries, 2 territories, and 17 cities.
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Kansai International Airport (KIX) :
Closest Major Cities: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe
Central Japan International Airport (NGO) :
Closest Major City: Nagoya
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have an extensive network of flights throughout Japan that link major urban centers such as Tokyo and Osaka with numerous regional cities. Plane is the most convenient form of travel to places like Sapporo, Okinawa, and Fukuoka.
Public Transportation in major cities
Subway lines crisscross the entire city of Tokyo.
From Ginza to Shinjuku (7 stations) : 15 min. 190 JPY.
JR Yamanote Line:
The Yamanote Line travels in a circle around Tokyo. There are 29 stations along the circuit and a complete trip around takes about 60 minutes.
From Shibuya to Shinjuku (3 stations) : 5 min. 150 JPY.
From Akihabara to Ueno (2 stations) : 4 min. 130 JPY.
Taxi:
Taxis may be boarded at taxi stands or hailed anywhere on the street. The base charge starts at 650 JPY. The basic charge may change depending on company and locality, but all taxis are metered and thus can be used with peace of mind.
Bus:
Bus is a convenient mode of transportation in cities like Kyoto, where several lines pass famous tourist attractions such as Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu Temple, and Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion). Most trips within the city cost 220 JPY.
Chartered bus
For private group tours, chartered buses are recommended.
Buses in Japan are passenger friendly; they are high quality and air-conditioned.
Airport Limousine:
Big-sized Bus: 55-seats
Middle-sized Bus: 27-seats
Jumbo
Sedan
International driver's license and Rent-a- Car
International driver's license
Those issued in accordance with the Geneva Convention 1949(*). (Those based on 1926 Paris Convention, Washington Convention 1943, or 1968 Vienna Convention are not valid in Japan) A license based on the Geneva Convention 1949 is easily distinguished since 1949, 1926, 1943, or 1968 is clearly shown somewhere on the license. An international driver's license is valid for one year from the date of issue. Be sure to confirm the license is valid for driving in Japan.
(*)Geneva Convention 1949!!
Occasionally, tourists arrive in Japan with international driver's license not based on 1949 Geneva Convention and find they are unable to drive. Make certain to obtain an international driver's license based on the Geneva Convention 1949.
Information necessary for JTBGMT to arrange a rental car
- Name of the driver with confirmation of the proper driver's license
- Number of the total passengers including driver
- Time and place of pick-up and return (or drop-off)
- Size or model of car/van preferred
- Number of children under 6 years