Transport is often the biggest Japan expense after accommodation. Understanding exactly what things cost — before you arrive — allows you to budget accurately and choose between options intelligently.
Airport Access
Narita to central Tokyo: N'EX (Narita Express) to Shinjuku ¥3,070 (55 min). Limousine Bus to major hotels ¥3,200 (90–120 min, depending on traffic). Keisei Skyliner to Ueno ¥2,570 (41 min). Budget option: Keisei Access Express to Ueno ¥1,330 (60 min). Taxi: ¥18,000–25,000.
Haneda to central Tokyo: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho ¥500 (25 min). Keikyu Line to Shinagawa ¥300 (13 min). Taxi: ¥7,000–10,000. Kansai Airport to Namba (Osaka): Nankai Rapi:t Express ¥1,450 (38 min). JR Haruka to Kyoto ¥3,600 (75 min, JR Pass applicable).
Shinkansen (Main Routes)
- Tokyo → Kyoto (Hikari): ¥13,850 (2h15m)
- Tokyo → Osaka (Hikari): ¥14,720 (2h30m)
- Tokyo → Hiroshima (Nozomi): ¥18,280 (3h45m)
- Tokyo → Fukuoka/Hakata (Nozomi): ¥22,220 (5h)
- Tokyo → Sapporo (Hokkaido Shinkansen): ¥27,240 (4h45m) from 2031; currently via Hakodate is ¥22,690 + transfer
- Osaka → Hiroshima (Nozomi): ¥10,560 (1h20m)
- Kyoto → Kanazawa (Thunderbird): ¥7,340 (2h)
Local Transport
Tokyo Subway: ¥170–320 per journey (IC card). Day pass ¥800 (Tokyo Metro only), ¥1,000 (combined Tokyo Metro + Toei). Osaka Metro: ¥190–360 per journey. 1-day pass ¥820. Kyoto buses: ¥230 per ride, ¥700 1-day unlimited bus pass. Taxi: Starting fare ¥500, then ¥90–100 per 300m. Late-night surcharge (25% extra) after 10pm. Effectively ¥1,000 for short central-city journeys; ¥3,000–5,000 for 30-minute rides.
IC Card vs JR Pass: The Math
A 7-day JR Pass costs ¥50,000. To justify it on the Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route, you need: Tokyo–Kyoto return (¥27,700) + at least ¥22,300 in additional JR travel (Hiroshima, Hakone area, Nikko, etc.). Without significant side trips, individual tickets are cheaper. The IC card covers all local transport automatically — it's the only essential transit tool for every visitor regardless of JR Pass status.
Money-Saving Tips
Overnight buses (¥3,000–5,000 between Tokyo and Osaka) cut intercity costs while saving one night's accommodation. JR regional passes (JR Kyushu Rail Pass, JR Kansai Area Pass) offer better value than the national JR Pass for focused itineraries. IC card discounts apply on some routes — always use your IC card for local transport rather than individual tickets.