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Getting around

Transportation

Trains, passes, and routes between cities.

Ticketing overview

JR-West All Area Pass (¥26,000 pp) — buy before you fly

  • Purchase via the official JR-West online site (lets you reserve seats online in advance) or a reseller like Klook. You receive an e-voucher/eMCO.
  • Exchange and activate in Japan at a JR-West station with your e-voucher + passport. Valid 7 consecutive days from the activation date.
  • Covers Sanyo Shinkansen, JR-West Miyajima Ferry, and all JR-West conventional lines.
  • Reservations are free; first six can be made at ticket machines, the rest at ticket offices (or online in advance if bought via the official site). Reserve every inter-city Shinkansen leg for luggage/seating together.

JR-Central legs (e.g. Kyoto→Nagoya, Nagoya→Tokyo) — buy point-to-point

  • No pass needed. Buy at any JR ticket machine/office a day or two ahead, or online via SmartEX before traveling.
  • Approx fares: Kyoto→Nagoya ~¥6,000; Nagoya→Tokyo ~¥11,300 (reserved). Reserve for luggage.

IC card (Suica / ICOCA / Welcome Suica) — get on arrival

  • For subways, Hiroden trams, Kotoden in Takamatsu, the Keio Line in Tokyo, and any local transit not covered by a pass. Tap and go; reload at any station.

The JR-West pass covers Sanyo Shinkansen trains with free reservations. The Naoshima ferry is not a JR service — separate ticket, not on the pass.

Reservation bottom line: strictly required only on all-reserved trains, but reserve every inter-city Shinkansen leg for luggage. Free under the JR-West pass; small fee on JR-Central legs. Book at a green machine the day before each travel day, or online ahead.

Getting around Tokyo (subway and metro)

  • Read station numbers to confirm direction — every line has a letter + number code, and on both Google Maps and real signage each station icon shows the line color (outer ring), line letter (middle), and station number (below). To check you're going the right way, confirm the numbers climb toward your destination (e.g., from A11 to A18, you should pass A12, A13…). Use Google Maps set to the train icon — it shows the lines, time, cost, which entrance to use, and your platform. (Instagram)
  • Ginza Line — the easy first-timer line — Tokyo Metro's oldest line runs Shibuya to Asakusa in ~30 min with no transfers, hitting Omotesando, Ginza (high-end shopping), Ueno (Ameyoko market), and Asakusa (Kaminarimon Gate). One train between major spots. (Instagram)
  • Check the exit-information board on the platform — it shows which train car lines up with which station exit. At big, confusing stations (Shinjuku, Tokyo) check before boarding and ride in the right car so you come out facing your destination. (Instagram)
  • Once onboard, keep matching that station number — the same number from the platform sign reappears on the display above the train doors as you ride; when your destination's number shows up, get off. Watch for express trains, which skip stations — before boarding, check the train type on the platform against the timetable so you don't end up on one that blows past your stop. One extra cue: birds chirping or wind chimes over the station speakers mean your train is about to leave. (Instagram)

Shinkansen tips

  • Mt. Fuji seat side — direction matters — Fuji is on the north side of the Tokaido line, so the view flips by direction. Tokyo to Kyoto (westbound): sit on the right, seats D/E. Kyoto/Osaka to Tokyo (eastbound): sit on the left. (Instagram)
  • Eat onboard, but buy first — you can eat on the Shinkansen (and Limited Express trains); grab a bento before boarding, since not every route has a food cart. (Instagram)
  • Luggage — most large suitcases fit the overhead rack; oversized bags (total dimensions over 160 cm) need either a reserved seat with the back-row luggage space or a ~¥1,000 storage spot by the washrooms. (Instagram) There are only 6 oversized-baggage seats per car (Instagram), so they sell out days in advance — book early rather than at the station on your travel day. If you don't board at the line's origin the overhead space may already be full — reserve a seat with the oversized-luggage spot behind you, or forward your bags. Board an oversized bag without that reservation and you pay the ¥1,000 as an on-the-spot fine onboard. (Instagram) There's also a storage compartment in the middle of each car for oversized luggage, but it's unmonitored and unlocked (Instagram) — you can't keep an eye on your bag there.
  • Book ahead — reserving early (e.g., via Klook) lets you pick Mt. Fuji-view seats, lock in luggage spots, and ride on a phone QR code instead of a paper ticket. (Instagram)
  • Onboard — power outlet at the tip of the armrest, jacket hook behind the seat, and check the seat map for bathrooms, vending machines, and trash. It's a quiet ride — keep noise down. (Instagram)