Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and can be bought at any rail station in Japan. You can visit Japan Guide (japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html) to
see the latest school holidays.
Moreover, use the website HyperDia (hyperdia.com/en) to find train times and schedules in English. It's
an invaluable resource.
Buses
Buses are a much cheaper alternative to the bullet train system in Japan. But while the cost is less, the trip
will take considerably more time. For example, the two-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka becomes
a ten-hour bus ride.
Long-distance highway buses service many of the intercity routes covered by trains at significantly lower
prices. Bus journeys around the country begin around $35 USD. There is a multitude of operators, including
Star Express and Willer Express (willerexpress .com/en), Kansai Bus, and the bus company operated by the
JR group (the people who run the trains).
A few overnight buses are women only, such as the Ladies Dream Osaka bus service between Tokyo and
Osaka.
Willer Express offers a Japan Bus Pass (willerexpress.com/x/bus/dynamic/3/en/html/pc/buspass). It is
available to both Japanese and foreigners but must be purchased outside of Japan. The cost of a bus pass is
$100 USD for three days or $150 USD for five days. Travel days are nonconsecutive, but passes must be
used within two months.
If you have a lot of time on your hands, want to visit several major cities in a single trip, and do not
mind the time spent on buses (including sleeping), then the Bus Pass is worth considering. The more trips
you take, the more cost-effective the pass will be. You can potentially ride Willer Express buses for as little
as $14 USD per trip. You'll never be able to ride the train that cheap!
Keep in mind that the bus pass restricts you to buses seating four in a row, can't be used during major
holidays, and often have blackout dates (you need to check with the company for the exact dates). However,
with all that in mind, if you have time in Japan and aren't in a rush, buses are the cheapest (but not the
quickest) way to travel the country.
Taxis
Taxis, especially in Tokyo, are ridiculously expensive and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. A
twenty-minute journey home after a night out in Tokyo cost nearly $60 USD!
Flying
Flying between most cities is not necessary as the bullet trains are pretty fast and prices are comparable
to flights. You get all the speed without the hassle of going through airport security! If you are hopping
between the islands of Japan, you'll need to fly; here are the best airlines to get you there:
JAL Group
(Japan Airlines): jal.com
ANA Group
(Japan Airlines): ana.co.jp
Skymark Airlines:
skymark.jp/en
Peach Aviation:
flypeach.com
Jetstar Japan:
jetstar.com
