Getting Around Japan
Trains, passes, IC cards, airport transfers, luggage, eSIMs and private drivers: every transport guide in one place, with a suggested order.
Transport is the part of a Japan trip that worries people most, and it is easier than it looks. Trains run on time, signs are in English, and a few decisions made early (airport transfer, pass or no pass, how you will pay) remove most of the stress. Here are our guides in the order you will probably need them.
Not sure where to begin? Start with the JR Pass maths, then use the itinerary maker: it shows train fares and a private car option for every leg.
Before you fly
- Flights from Dubai to Japan: Routes, Times and Tips
Which Japanese airport to fly into from Dubai, how long it takes, the time difference, and how to plan your arrival and departure. - Japan Visa for UAE Residents and Gulf Passport Holders (2026)
Do you need a visa for Japan if you hold a UAE or Gulf passport, or live in the UAE on another passport? What Japan’s foreign ministry says. - Entering Japan in 2026: Visas, Visit Japan Web and Customs
What you need to enter Japan in 2026: visa-free rules, how to fill in Visit Japan Web, customs allowances, medicines, the new tax-free refund system and what JESTA will mean later. - Best eSIM and Pocket WiFi for Japan: How to Stay Online
eSIM, pocket WiFi or a SIM card? How to choose the best way to get mobile data in Japan, what it costs, how much data you need and what to check before you fly. - Is the JR Pass Still Worth It? Prices and Maths for 2026
The Japan Rail Pass went up in price on 1 October 2026. Here are the new prices, the routes where it pays off, the Nozomi rules and the cheaper alternatives.
On arrival
- Narita and Haneda Airport Transfers: How to Get to Tokyo
Every way to get from Narita and Haneda airports into Tokyo, with 2026 fares, journey times and the best option for your hotel, your luggage and a late arrival. - Cash, Cards and IC Cards in Japan: How to Pay in 2026
How money works in Japan for visitors: when you still need cash, which ATMs take foreign cards, Suica and other IC cards, paying by phone and the new tax-free rules.
Moving between cities
- Luggage in Japan: Forwarding, Lockers and Shinkansen Baggage Rules
How to send your suitcase ahead with takkyubin luggage forwarding, what it costs, coin lockers, and the Shinkansen oversized baggage reservation rule. - Private Tour Guides and Drivers in Japan: Costs, When to Hire and How
How to hire a private guide or a car with driver in Japan: typical day rates, licensed vs unlicensed guides, when it beats trains and taxis, and the best places to use one. - Accessible Travel in Japan: Wheelchairs, Strollers and Step-Free Routes
How to travel Japan with a wheelchair, limited mobility or a stroller: station help, Shinkansen wheelchair spaces, accessible taxis, hotels, toilets and which sights are step-free.
Putting it together
- Japan Itinerary Maker: Plan Your Trip in Minutes
Tell us how many days you have, when you are going, where you want to go and who is travelling. Get a free day-by-day Japan itinerary with nights per city, where to stay, trains and a budget. - Japan Itineraries: 7, 10 and 14 Days for a First Trip
Three tried and tested Japan itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days, with day-by-day plans, where to sleep, travel times between cities and whether a JR Pass makes sense.
Keep planning
New to all this? Follow our trip planning checklist in booking order. See all of our Plan Your Trip guides, or build a day-by-day route with the free itinerary maker. Every guide is checked against official sources and says when it was last updated. Something missing? Tell us.