Japan is often praised as one of the most pleasant countries to visit in terms of transportation. With a well-developed and highly efficient public transportation network, exploring the country becomes an adventure in itself.
However, while the major cities and their surroundings are well-served, some more remote regions like Kyūshū, Hokkaidō, and Shikoku, as well as rural areas, can pose transportation challenges. Therefore, it's essential to carefully plan your itinerary and be ready to adapt your travels based on the available options.
Transportation costs in Japan will likely be your biggest expense, and it's tough to avoid them. All transportation services are provided by private companies, which are more or less subsidized by the government, with fares depending on the distance traveled.
Getting to the Airport in France
To start your journey, you'll need to reach an international airport, usually Paris-Charles de Gaulle, unless you live nearby. The costs of getting to the airport vary depending on your location. For those traveling from the provinces, a round-trip train ticket to Paris can cost around €150 per person. If you're already in Paris, a round-trip on the RER B will cost about €25.
International Flight Between France and Japan
The flight ticket is usually the largest transportation expense for a trip to Japan. By booking in advance, you can find round-trip flights for around €1,200 per person in economy class with airlines like Air France, All Nippon Airways (ANA), or Japan Airlines (JAL). However, prices can range between €900 and €1,600 depending on the time of year and how early you book.
Long-Distance Travel in Japan
Le Japon étant un archipel étendu, les déplacements entre les différentes régions peuvent peser lourdement sur votre budget. Pour optimiser vos coûts, il peut être judicieux de concentrer vos visites sur une seule région, comme la région de Tôkyô ou du Kansai. Cela permet de limiter les frais de transport et de planifier plusieurs voyages si vous souhaitez découvrir d'autres parties du pays.
Trains and Subways: The Preferred Mode of Transportation
Trains are the primary mode of transportation in Japan. Japan Railways (JR) is the largest railway company, but many other private companies also operate, especially in urban areas. Except for the most remote regions, you can reach almost every tourist attraction by train. Subways, available in major cities, complement this network and offer great flexibility for urban travel.
Long-Distance Buses: An Economical Alternative
Long-distance buses offer an interesting alternative to trains, especially if you're traveling on a budget. Although the trips are longer, the buses are often very comfortable and help reduce costs. Some companies even offer overnight buses, allowing you to save on accommodation while you travel.
A unique aspect of long-distance buses in Japan is the lack of online reservations for most companies, which can make planning a bit challenging. It's generally recommended to purchase your ticket on the day of travel directly at the bus terminal, arriving about 30 minutes before departure. However, companies like Willer allow online reservations, offering a more convenient solution for foreign travelers.
Domestic Flights: A Quick Option for Long Distances
If you're planning to visit regions far from Tokyo, like Kyūshū or Hokkaidō, domestic flights can be a quick and sometimes affordable option, especially with low-cost carriers like Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, and Skymark Airlines. For instance, a flight between Tokyo and Fukuoka takes about 2 hours, compared to over 5 hours by train. Moreover, major airlines like JAL and ANA often offer discounted fares for foreigners who booked their international flights with them.
Driving: A Costly and Sometimes Unnecessary Option
Renting a car in Japan might seem like a good idea, especially for exploring rural areas, but it’s an expensive option. In addition to the rental cost, fuel, tolls, and parking fees in major cities are quite high.
Moreover, driving in Japan can be confusing for foreigners due to different traffic rules. Unless you're traveling in a group or visiting very remote areas, it's generally more economical and convenient to use public transportation.
Hitchhiking in Japan is also very uncommon and not recommended. The concept isn't well ingrained in Japanese culture, and locals are often hesitant to pick up strangers.
Transportation Passes: A Convenient Option for Tourists
To make travel easier for tourists, Japan offers several types of passes that can be very cost-effective.
The Japan Rail Pass National (JR Pass)
The Japan Rail Pass is probably the most well-known pass among tourists. It allows unlimited travel on the entire JR network for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. This pass is particularly useful if you plan to visit multiple major cities, like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. However, the high cost of the JR Pass means it’s only worth it if you plan on doing a lot of long-distance travel.
Regional Japan Rail Passes
If you’re focusing on just one region, the Regional JR Passes can be a more economical alternative. For example, the Kansai Pass is perfect for exploring cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. These regional passes offer the same freedom as the national JR Pass but at a lower cost, usually for shorter periods, like 3 to 5 days.
The Japan Bus Pass
The Japan Bus Pass is a lesser-known but extremely economical option for long-distance bus travel. This pass offers 3, 5, or 7 non-consecutive days of travel, providing great flexibility. The buses are comfortable, and for some routes, it’s possible to travel overnight.
However, it’s worth noting that very few companies offer online reservations, which can be a drawback for those who prefer to plan ahead. Willer is one of the few companies that offer an online reservation service.
Getting Around Japanese Cities
Getting around Japanese cities can be optimized with good planning. The daily passes offered in most major cities can be worthwhile, but they only pay off if you plan to make many trips in one day. Sometimes, walking is the best way to discover picturesque neighborhoods and lesser-known attractions.
Understanding Japan's Transportation Payment System
In Japan, transportation fares are generally based on the distance traveled, unlike in France, where the fare is often fixed for a given duration.
On buses, for example, you take a ticket when you board, and the price you pay is displayed on a screen as you progress through your journey. For 1 or 2 stops, you’ll pay 120 yen (~0,85 €), pour 3 ou 4 arrêts 150 yen (~1 €); for 10 stops, the fare quickly reaches 400 yen (~€2.85).
For trains and subways, you need to buy your ticket before entering the platform, referring to a board that shows fares based on your destination.
To simplify travel, it’s recommended to use an IC Card (like the Welcome Suica), a prepaid card that allows you to pay for trips on most public transportation. This card is easy to recharge, and you only need to tap it when entering and exiting, avoiding the need to calculate fares for each trip.
Daily Passes
Daily passes are available in most major Japanese cities. While some one-day passes offer great value, others require you to make many trips before they become cost-effective. It’s always a good idea to do a quick comparison between single tickets and a pass to see which is the better deal.
To learn about the available passes, visit the websites of the tourist offices for the cities you plan to visit.
Bicycle
Renting a bike is an excellent option for exploring small and medium-sized cities or specific neighborhoods in larger cities. Bike rentals are available near train stations, and rates are generally affordable, around 1,000 yen per day. However, it’s important to note that bicycle parking is strictly regulated in Japan, with dedicated and often paid parking areas.
Walking
Finally, walking remains the most economical and enjoyable way to discover Japanese cities. Even though the distances can be significant in some metropolises, walking allows you to discover hidden gems and immerse yourself more deeply in the local culture.
What Budget Should You Plan for Transportation in Japan?
Considering all these factors, the transportation budget in Japan can represent between 60% and 70% of your total travel budget. How you choose to get around will greatly influence this figure, but one thing is certain: transportation will be one of the most significant expenses of your trip.
For a two-week trip, we estimate that a complete budget (transportation/food/accommodation/entertainment) will be around €2,500 per person.
Here are two examples of transportation budgets, the first with optimistic assumptions:
- Travel within France: 100 € per person
- Flight to Japan: 1,000 € per person
- Round-trip Tokyo-Kyoto without JR Pass: 180 € per person
- Various other trips (trains, subway, bus): 200 € per person
- TOTAL: 1,500 € per person, or ~60% of a 2,500 € trip budget
And a second with more average assumptions:
- Travel within France: 130 € per person
- Flight to Japan: 1,200 € per person
- 7-day JR Pass: 350 € per person
- Various other trips outside the JR Pass: 100 € per person
- TOTAL: 1,800 € per person, or ~70% of a 2,500 € trip budget
As you can see, it's important to carefully study your routes if you want to avoid overspending on transportation.
Check out our other articles on the budget for a trip to Japan: