Japan Joy GuideClear help for travelers 🇬🇧 English

Trains, buses and luggage

Transport

Choose tickets and IC cards, understand the Japan Rail Pass and handle transfers, delays, luggage and lost property.

Transport illustrated guide

Start with your situation

What do you need to solve?

First: Save your destination, operator and last workable departure. Check the ticket you already hold before buying another one or boarding a reserved service.

I have landed and need to reach my hotel

Compare the complete journey, including the final transfer and your luggage.

Choose an airport route →

I am at a gate, platform or bus stop

Use the boarding steps or jump to the wrong-train, missed-stop and ticket-error situations.

Find the next travel step →

The last service has gone

Check a marked taxi rank or an available local app, and confirm the destination and full cost.

Arrange a taxi safely →
Before you need help: three things to prepare
  • Keep the hotel address and route details available without mobile data.
  • Check ticket conditions and the final return connection before leaving.
  • Plan suitcase storage or delivery before a crowded journey.
Choose luggage storage or delivery →
Not your situation? Browse all guides in this category ↓
Japan Joy Guide

Guides in this category

Station to airport luggage deliveryCompare verified station and city-counter routes to Haneda and Narita, with drop-off cutoffs, airport collection times, prices and flight-day risks.Read the guide → Tokyo Station meal: a real visitAn editor’s firsthand visit to a set-meal restaurant in Tokyo Station, plus a practical way to check the gate side, floor and current opening hours.Read the guide → Traveler fixing an insufficient IC card balance at a Japan ticket gate IC card balance too low?IC card balance too low at a Japan ticket gate? Move aside, recharge or pay the shortage, use the same card and ask station staff if it still fails.Read the guide → Traveler comparing a central Tokyo garden, a western Tokyo park and Mount Takao for autumn leaves Tokyo autumn leaves: choose today’s planChoose a Tokyo autumn leaves spot by current color, time available, walking, crowds and the final journey back—not by an old peak-date list alone.Read the guide → Traveler comparing still-green trees, fallen leaves and a reachable alternative autumn viewing location in Japan Autumn leaves not at peak?Still green or already fallen? Check live local conditions, compare elevation and travel time, and find a worthwhile same-day alternative.Read the guide → Traveler facing a full Kyoto bus during the autumn foliage season and considering trains, luggage storage and delivery Kyoto autumn bus crowd guideKyoto bus full or delayed during the autumn leaves season? Switch to trains or the subway, travel without large luggage and protect your return route.Read the guide → Traveler checking whether a phone supports Mobile Suica in Japan Mobile Suica: iPhone and AndroidCheck whether your exact phone can use Mobile Suica, add it correctly and switch to a physical IC card or paper ticket if it is not compatible.Read the guide → Traveler with a large suitcase checking bus, luggage and rain problems on the Magome–Tsumago Nakasendo Nakasendo luggage transferNeed Nakasendo luggage transfer? Check the 2026 Magome–Tsumago dates, ¥1,000 fee, 11:30 cutoff, pickup points and no-service backups.Read the guide → Traveler facing sold-out hotels, Shinkansen seats and crowded autumn sightseeing in Japan Autumn crowds and booking problemsFind a workable hotel, train seat and sightseeing plan when Japan’s October–December travel dates are crowded or sold out.Read the guide → Traveler comparing train, airport bus and taxi options after arriving in Japan Airport to city transportChoose the right train or bus from Narita, Haneda or Kansai Airport based on your hotel area, luggage and arrival time.Read the guide → Traveler using a ride-hailing app beside a licensed taxi at night in Japan Taxis and ride-hailing apps in JapanUse taxi stands and apps safely, check late-night charges and payment, avoid unlicensed rides and keep the receipt.Read the guide → Traveler confirming the driving documents required for a rental car in Japan International driving permit in JapanCheck whether Japan accepts your 1949 Geneva Convention permit or requires an original license and approved Japanese translation before booking a rental car.Read the guide → Traveler checking where to place a large suitcase on a Shinkansen Shinkansen oversized baggage rulesMeasure your suitcase, reserve the correct seat when required and avoid the ¥1,000 unreserved baggage fee.Read the guide → Using an IC card at a train station ticket gate in Japan IC card guideChoose a Suica, PASMO, visitor or mobile IC card, charge it, use trains and buses, and fix low balance or ticket-gate errors in Japan.Read the guide → Japan Rail Pass with a Shinkansen and Mount Fuji Japan Rail Pass guideCheck eligibility, current prices, covered trains, seat reservations and when ordinary tickets or a regional pass may cost less.Read the guide → Traveler learning how to ride trains and buses in Japan Train and bus guideLearn tickets, IC cards, gates, platforms, local buses, transfers and what to do after missing a service.Read the guide → Coin lockers and staffed baggage delivery in Japan Luggage delivery and storageChoose between coin lockers, staffed storage and delivery between airports, hotels and stations.Read the guide → Traveler asking station staff about lost luggage Lost or left luggageWho to contact at stations, shops, taxis, hotels, and police boxes.Read the guide →
Official resources

Check current information

Traveler using official train and bus information in Japan Official train and bus basicsRead JNTO’s guide to fares, gates, IC cards and local buses.Open official site → Traveler planning a train route across Japan on a smartphone Japan route plannerCheck operators, platforms, transfers, fares and departure times.Open official site →