Trains, buses, rental cars, and how to get around Japan.
Seven rail lines, the Shinkansen, and the entire city bus network meet at Kyoto Station. Here are 15 destinations you can reach in under 90 minutes — with platform, line, time, and fare.
Visit Japan Web 2026 walkthrough: three QR codes, the new Joint Kiosk at Haneda/Narita/Kansai, common errors, and when paper still works.
Updated April 27, 2026 726,200 Singaporeans visited Japan in 2025, up 5% on the previous year and a record. The yen is the cheapest it’s been against the SGD in over a decade, post-Jetstar Asia Scoot has filled the gap…
Complete 2026 guide to flying from the USA to Japan: 17 direct routes, ZIPAIR/ANA/JAL/United/Delta/American comparison, HND vs NRT, JR Pass math, eSIM setup, and the mistakes American first-timers make every time.
Comparison · 2026 edition JR Pass vs Individual Tickets in 2026 — Honest Math Short answer: for most first-time visitors, the JR Pass stopped being worth it in October 2023. Here’s the long answer — with real numbers for four…
Japan is one of the easiest countries to travel in — once you know the small rules that aren’t in the guidebooks. Since 2024 several practical things have shifted: a tourist card got discontinued, Kyoto closed off private alleys, Mt.…
Kamikochi has no train station. No road open to private cars. Every single visitor arrives by bus — there’s no other way in. The 2026 season runs April 17 through November 15, and outside those dates, everything shuts down. I’ve…
2026 Update: The Ariake Ferry schedule has been adjusted for the spring season. We’ve updated all drive times from Tara Port and added new parking details for Unzen Jigoku based on our latest visit. Forty-five minutes on the Ariake Ferry…
Starts in 6 days Golden Week 2026: Apr 29 – May 6. Trains and ryokan are booking out now. Also see Japan’s next closure window if you’re planning ahead. Golden Week is one of only three periods each year —…
Navigating Japan’s transportation system can seem as complex and intricate as a Tokyo subway map, but it’s also one of the most efficient, punctual, and rewarding travel networks in the world. From the iconic Shinkansen bullet trains to the budget-friendly…
Every image on Hidden Japan Gems was personally photographed on a Sony α7 across five years of walking Japan. Please don't re-use without permission — reach out if you'd like to.
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