Travelling around Japan effectively will require you to be flexible and adapt to the many modes of transport available, including your feet!
Japan is a country with 792 cities spread across 47 prefectures. With a highly dense population on such a small island, it’s no surprise that there are countless options for people to travel between cities. Buses, trains, and taxis are the most commonly used forms of public transport, but there are also plenty of opportunities to get nice and physical with a bicycle ride or an on-foot trek!
Trekking in Tokyo
Tokyo is a huge prefecture, but it’s also very compact and dense. This means cities are pretty walkable as they are closely neighbored with very few highways or remote areas to move through. For instance, you could easily walk from Shibuya to Harajuku and enjoy every step along the way! It’s super enjoyable to walk from city to city in Tokyo, particularly with how clean and beautiful the streets are, and the endless vending machines and convenience stores that’ll keep you going!
City Cycling
Just about everyone in Japan owns a bicycle. The country has lax laws about cycling (unlike Australia), allowing you to cycle without a helmet and share the roads and footpaths with cars and pedestrians (unless “no bicycle” signs are present). There are plenty of bicycle rental shops in the local towns, so there’s sure to be one near your accommodation! Cycling not only saves you the hassle of standing in crowded trains, but can also provide a scenic journey that’ll build up your appetite!
What about Trains & Buses?
Well, trains and buses aren’t that bad, after all, they are still Japan’s most popular forms of transport. Whether you’re travelling from city to city or between prefectures, there are countless train and bus services that can accommodate you. For instance, when travelling from Osaka to Tokyo, you have the choice of taking an expensive but fast bullet train or an affordable but slow overnight bus. Local trains and buses are pretty handy too, especially if you’re travelling a few cities over, for example, from Kyoto station to Arashiyama.
Taxi Please!
This one is for the wealthy, because I’m not going to sugarcoat it, taxis in Japan are expensive! If you do have the funds, though, they can be super convenient because they are absolutely everywhere! It’s very easy to book using the local taxi app of the area, and if you have heavy luggage you’re pulling around, it’s that much more of a relief. If you really want to take the Japanese taxi experience to the next level, there are plenty of private taxi tours you can book with English-speaking guides that’ll give you a real local city exploration experience!
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!