Public transport in Japan means cleanliness, polite staff (even if they don't always speak English) and modern technology. Japan is a small country, but transport links are very well developed. You can travel around Japan by regular and high-speed trains, and comfortable buses. We will talk briefly about the types of transport in Japan.
All this is great, but there is one “but”: transport in Japan will be one of your most expensive expenses.
Do you need a JR Pass in Japan?
Speaking of Japanese public transport, you will most likely be comfortable in any case. When thinking about the advisability of buying a travel pass in Japan, you need to look at the distance and purpose of the trip, as well as financial capabilities. If your trip to Japan involves visiting several cities, it would be wise to consider purchasing a JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass). This is a one/two/three week subscription for foreign citizens. It applies to public transport in Japan: JR buses, trains and ferries. It is also expensive (you should come to terms with the fact that there was and still is no economical transport in Japan). On the official website you can find out the current prices for the JR pass.
In addition to the JR Group, other carriers operate in Japan. Your JR Pass will not be valid on these lines and trains, as well as at certain stations, etc. It is important to take this into account when planning your trip to Japan.
It is advisable to calculate in advance the need to purchase a JR pass. The following site will help you with this. Here you can see the schedule of all types of transport in Japan, find out how you can get from one point of the country to another and see the cost of such a trip when purchasing a ticket at the box office. We figure out our route, count the expenses and compare it with the cost of the JR pass - voila!
Trains in Japan
Rail transport perhaps the best developed in Japan. Several major railway companies provide connections between Japanese cities. Trains in Japan are comfortable and punctual, you can be sure that the train will arrive and depart exactly on schedule. In Japan, Shinkansen high-speed trains began running for the first time in the world; they reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. In my experience, the maximum we went was 260 km/h. The photo below is just a view of the shinkansen from the outside and inside. Regular trains travel at speeds of up to 130 km/h. Train tickets in Japan can be purchased from special machines at train stations or at ticket offices. You can buy a ticket with or without a seat. Just in case, it is better to find out the route and the desired station in advance. If you consult with the cashier, his/her English may not be enough to discuss the nuances. Japanese people don't speak English very well. Although they will serve you 100% politely and help you in any way they can.
Pay attention to the culture of queuing and boarding transport in Japan. Often on the platforms you can see specially outlined lines to form a queue. The Japanese line up along the line and calmly enter the train, rather than jumping on and jostling with their elbows, as if Judgment Day had arrived, as in the Moscow metro. Trains in Japan are equipped with comfortable seats and garbage bags.
There are express trains from Narita Airport to Tokyo:
The same system for purchasing tickets operates here - at the airport ticket office.
There are also such funny and small trains, inside they resemble a bus or trolleybus, for example, near Kyoto:
We traveled on such a train from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari, and on another day to Nara.
When you get to the city from the airport, you should make yourself a Suica or Pasmo and use it for your health. Essentially, this is an electronic wallet - you put money in and apply it when entering and exiting the metro. Very comfortably!
