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The 18 Best Ways to Travel Across Japan
Japan, a land where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge technology, offers a vast array of travel experiences that go far beyond the well-known Shinkansen. While the bullet train may be synonymous with speed and efficiency, there are countless other unique and unforgettable ways to explore the islands, from cycling through scenic countryside paths to gliding across serene lakes by boat.
Whether you’re seeking the tranquility of the rural mountains, the hustle of neon-lit cities, or the peacefulness of remote islands, Japan‘s transportation options invite you to embrace the journey itself.
Here guide you to the 18 best ways to travel across Japan.
Japan’s lightning-fast bullet train that turns long-distance travel into a smooth, scenic blur. Fikri Risyid / Unsplash
1. Shinkansen (Bullet Train) – The Speed Demon
The Shinkansen, blazing across the country at speeds up to 320 km/h, is the epitome of Japanese precision, engineering, and hospitality. Inside, you’ll find a world of comfort: spotless interiors, reclining seats with generous legroom, and panoramic windows perfect for glimpses of rural landscapes and even Mount Fuji, especially on the Tokyo–Kyoto route.
But what makes this journey even more memorable is the Ekiben culture—regional, beautifully packed bento boxes sold at train stations. Each one is a culinary love letter to the area you’re passing through, offering seasonal ingredients and traditional flavors that reflect local pride.
Whether it’s Hida beef from Takayama or unagi (eel) from Hamamatsu, enjoying an ekiben as you zip past Japan’s ever-changing scenery turns a train ride into a full-on cultural immersion.
2. Seishun 18 Ticket – Budget Backpacker’s Dream
The Seishun 18 Ticket is a budget-friendly travel pass that, despite its name, is available to people of all ages and grants unlimited rides on JR’s local and rapid trains for any five days within a limited seasonal period.
Whether you’re planning a coast-to-coast odyssey or a deep dive into a single region, this ticket offers unbeatable value and a deeply immersive way to experience Japan beyond the guidebook highlights.
3. Rent a Kei Car – Tiny Cars, Big Adventures
Renting a kei car Japan’s beloved class of small, boxy vehicles is an adventurous and practical way to explore the country’s lesser-known regions. Designed to be compact and fuel-efficient, these pint-sized cars are tailor-made for Japan’s narrow rural roads, steep mountain passes, and charming village lanes where larger vehicles would struggle to maneuver.
Whether you’re winding through the lush hills of Kyushu, chasing waterfalls in Shikoku, or cruising along coastal roads in Hokkaido, a kei car turns your road trip into a personal journey filled with spontaneous detours and hidden gems.
Bicycle touring in Japan is a soul-refreshing ride where every pedal stroke blends peaceful scenery with personal discovery. Stefan Lehner / Unsplash
4. Bicycle Touring – Zen Meets Endurance
Bicycle touring in Japan is a soulful blend of physical challenge and serene discovery, where every pedal stroke brings you closer to the heart of the country’s natural beauty and cultural depth. Iconic routes like the Shimanami Kaido, a 70-kilometer cycling trail connecting the main island of Honshu to Shikoku across a chain of islands and scenic bridges, offer breathtaking sea views and quiet island villages that feel untouched by time.
Take a ride around Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, where temple stops, swan sightings, and peaceful lakefront stretches redefine what it means to slow down. Cyclists can stay in traditional ryokans along the way, soaking in local hospitality, indulging in home-cooked meals, and unwinding in onsen baths after a long day on the road.
5. Domestic Flights – Island Hopping the Japanese Way
Domestic flights in Japan provide an exciting gateway to explore the country’s diverse islands, each offering its own unique charm. While the bustling cities of Tokyo and Osaka may steal the spotlight, Japan’s smaller islands, like Okinawa, Hokkaido, and the tropical Yakushima, offer a different experience, all accessible by quick domestic flights.
Fly to Okinawa Beaches, Okinawa for a taste of subtropical beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and rich Ryukyu culture, where you can escape to a slower-paced island life. In contrast, Hokkaido offers dramatic landscapes ranging from snow-capped mountains in winter to lush flower fields in summer, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers.
Domestic flights allow you to easily hop between these stunning locations, ensuring that you don’t just visit Japan; you experience its many diverse personalities, each uniquely tied to its environment and culture.
magical spring moment where a teal city bus glides gently under a tunnel of blooming cherry blossoms. Ji Seongkwang / Unsplash
6. Highway Buses – Overnight and Ultra-Cheap
Highway buses are Japan’s ultimate budget travel hack. With routes connecting nearly every major city and regional town, these long-distance buses are especially popular for overnight travel, saving you not just on transport but also on a night’s accommodation.
Imagine hopping on a comfy, reclining seat in Tokyo at night and waking up in Kyoto the next morning, all for under 3,000 yen. Most buses come equipped with blankets, charging ports, and even privacy curtains, offering a surprisingly cozy ride. Companies like Willer Express and JR Bus offer a wide range of options, from basic economy to luxurious “premium” seats with extra legroom.
For backpackers, solo travelers, or anyone looking to travel Japan affordably while soaking in the scenery between stops, highway buses offer a flexible, eco-friendly, and wallet-friendly way to move across the country.
7. Ferries – The Sea Route Nobody Talks About
Ferries in Japan offer a peaceful, often overlooked way to travel between the country’s main islands, providing a scenic and slower-paced alternative to trains or planes. Routes like Osaka to Kyushu or Tokyo to Hokkaido invite you to trade speed for serenity as you glide across the sea with panoramic views of the coastline, sunrises over the Pacific, and even the occasional dolphin sighting.
Modern Japanese ferries are surprisingly well-equipped, with clean cabins, lounges, onsens, vending machines, and even karaoke rooms onboard. For overnight journeys, you can book anything from a cozy dorm-style bunk to a private room with ocean views.
This sea route is not only budget-friendly, especially if you’re carrying a bicycle or motorbike, but also a great way to experience Japan’s maritime culture and enjoy a rare sense of stillness in transit.
8. Trams – Old School Charm in Local Cities
Trams in Japan are more than just a means of getting around; they’re a nostalgic ride through time, offering a charming glimpse into the local life of cities where tradition still hums beneath modernity. In places like Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Hakodate, trams have been rattling along the streets for decades, becoming an endearing part of the cityscape.
These streetcars glide through narrow alleys, past old shops, temples, and quiet neighborhoods, creating an atmosphere that’s both historic and heartwarming. In Hiroshima, the trams are symbolic; they’ve been running since before the war and were some of the first things restored after the atomic bombing, making them a moving part of the city’s resilient spirit.
Nagasaki’s trams roll past scenic hills and waterfronts, while Hakodate’s vintage-style streetcars weave through snowy streets in winter, adding to the city’s old-world appeal. For travelers seeking slow, soulful experiences, hopping on a tram is like riding through a living postcard of Japan’s past and present blending together.
9. Scenic Ropeways – For the Views Alone
Scenic ropeways in Japan are more than just a way to reach a summit; they’re floating gateways to some of the country’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. Suspended high above lush forests, mountain ridges, and steaming volcanic valleys, these aerial cable cars offer sweeping, cinematic views that turn any ride into a visual adventure.
Popular routes like the Mt. Takao Ropeway, just outside Tokyo, whisk you up through thick cedar forests toward serene temples and hiking trails with city views. In Mt. Rokko, near Kobe, the ropeway ascends into cool alpine air, revealing panoramic views of Osaka Bay and glittering city lights at sunset. And for a truly surreal experience, the Zao Ropeway in winter unveils the famous “snow monsters,” frost-covered trees sculpted by fierce Siberian winds into otherworldly shapes.
Whether you’re chasing autumn leaves, snowy landscapes, or summer breezes, Japan’s scenic ropeways transform the journey itself into a moment of awe, perfect for travelers who believe the best views are earned… or in this case, ridden.
10. Charter a Campervan – Japan’s Hidden Vanlife Culture
Exploring Japan by campervan offers a unique and often overlooked way to discover the country’s quieter, more intimate side. While most travelers follow the rails to big cities and tourist hotspots, a campervan lets you chart your course, leading to hidden beaches, peaceful mountain hamlets, and rural backroads that reveal a more personal, untouched Japan.
Japan’s network of Michi-no-Eki (roadside rest stations) makes this lifestyle surprisingly easy and safe; these well-maintained stops offer free parking, clean restrooms, local food markets, and sometimes even hot springs.
Renting a campervan gives you the freedom to wake up to a sunrise by the sea, brew tea in the shadow of Mt. Fuji, or fall asleep beside a quiet forest shrine.
11. Walking Pilgrimages – Spiritual Slow Travel
Embarking on a walking pilgrimage in Japan is a deeply enriching way to experience the country’s spiritual and cultural soul. Iconic routes like the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, which weaves through remote villages and sacred temples, or the Kumano Kodo, an ancient network of trails shrouded in forest and legend, invite travelers to embrace a slower, more intentional pace.
These pilgrimages aren’t just physical journeys; they’re introspective experiences that allow you to reflect, reset, and reconnect with nature, culture, and yourself. Along the way, you’ll stay in cozy minshuku or ryokans, share meals with locals, and encounter breathtaking natural beauty, from misty cedar forests to mountain waterfalls.
Whether you walk the entire route or just a portion, every step becomes part of a deeper journey. In a world that’s always rushing, Japan’s pilgrim paths remind you that sometimes the most meaningful destinations are found through slow, mindful travel.
12. Boats & River Cruises – Tokyo to Kyoto by Water
Boats and river cruises in Japan offer a tranquil and visually rich way to explore the country, unveiling landscapes and cityscapes from a whole new perspective. Imagine gliding along the Sumida River in Tokyo, with views of the futuristic Tokyo Skytree on one side and centuries-old temples tucked into the cityscape on the other.
Picture yourself aboard a pirate-themed boat across Lake Ashi in Hakone, where mist rolls over the water and Mount Fuji occasionally peeks through the clouds. While not the fastest way to travel between places like Tokyo and Kyoto, these water routes offer a peaceful escape from the bustle, ideal for unwinding and soaking in Japan’s harmony between nature and architecture.
The best ways to travel across Japan are a short canal ride in Kurashiki or a serene ferry through historic Matsushima Bay. Japan’s waterways turn travel into a poetic experience, proving that sometimes, the most memorable journeys flow gently with the current.
13. Cycling Rickshaws – Touristy, But Fun
Cycling rickshaws, or jinrikisha, may seem like a novelty at first glance, but hopping into one is actually a delightful way to experience Japan’s historical districts with a personal touch. Especially popular in places like Asakusa in Tokyo, Kyoto’s Gion district, and the picturesque streets of Kurashiki, these traditional two-wheeled carts are pulled by friendly, athletic guides who double as storytellers.
Dressed in traditional attire, they share fascinating local history, hidden spots, and cultural trivia you won’t find in any guidebook, all while navigating narrow alleys and scenic lanes at a relaxed, comfortable pace. The experience is both playful and immersive, offering travelers a rare blend of old-world charm and personalized insight.
14. Cable Cars & Cog Railways – Mountain Majesty
Cable cars and cog railways in Japan provide a thrilling and scenic ascent into the heart of the country’s most majestic mountain landscapes. These unique transport systems are engineering marvels, designed to conquer steep slopes and rugged terrain while offering passengers jaw-dropping views along the way.
Take the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, for instance, a spectacular journey across the Northern Japan Alps that combines cable cars, buses, and ropeways to traverse dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and the awe-inspiring snow corridor in spring. Or ride the cog railway up to Mt. Koya, the spiritual mountaintop retreat home to ancient temples and moss-covered cemeteries, where the journey itself feels like a peaceful pilgrimage into another world.
These rides are not just about reaching the summit; they’re part of the adventure, revealing Japan’s raw natural beauty in slow, cinematic motion. For travelers seeking elevation in both scenery and soul, cable cars and cog railways offer a lofty and unforgettable way to explore Japan’s mountainous wonders.
15. Hitchhiking in Rural Japan – Rare but Real
Hitchhiking in rural Japan is a rare but surprisingly rewarding way to travel for the bold and open-hearted. It becomes a cultural exchange on wheels.
Many Japanese drivers, often curious and kind, are glad to offer a lift to travelers, viewing it as a chance to share stories, local tips, or simply a warm conversation. Language barriers can lead to laughter, translation apps, or even shared snacks, making each ride a little adventure of its own.
15. Motorbike Rental – Feel the Freedom
Imagine cruising the winding roads of the Izu Peninsula, with ocean cliffs on one side and lush green hills on the other, or exploring the Noto Peninsula, where peaceful fishing villages, wild coastlines, and hidden shrines line your path.
A motorbike gives you the power to pause wherever the view takes your breath away, be it a seaside café, a hidden beach, or a quiet shrine tucked into the forest. Japan’s roads are well-maintained, drivers are courteous, and many regions offer dedicated biker-friendly services, from rental stations to biker inns.
16. Helicopter Tours – Sky’s the Limit
Helicopter tours in Japan offer a truly next-level perspective, turning travel into an exhilarating, cinematic experience that’s impossible to forget. Soaring above the neon-lit skyline on a Tokyo nightscape flight, you’ll witness the city like never before: the glowing lattice of Shibuya’s scramble crossing, the serene stretch of the Sumida River, and the iconic Tokyo Tower sparkling below.
These aerial adventures aren’t just for Tokyo either; you can take helicopter rides over Kyoto’s temple-dotted hills, Mt. Fuji’s majestic slopes, or the glittering bays of Yokohama. The best ways to travel across Japan Whether it’s a romantic evening ride or a luxury splurge to mark a special occasion, helicopter tours transform Japan’s vast urban sprawl and breathtaking natural beauty into a mesmerizing light show.
17. Traditional Boats (Yakatabune) – Edo-Era Feels
Traditional Yakatabune boats offer one of the most atmospheric and nostalgic ways to experience Japan, blending Edo-era charm with modern-day comfort as you glide through the waters of Tokyo Bay or along peaceful rivers.
As the city skyline twinkles in the distance, indulge in a multi-course kaiseki meal, fresh sashimi platters, and warm sake, all served with a side of stunning waterfront views. Some cruises feature live shamisen music or karaoke, turning the journey into a lively cultural event.
18. Sleeper Trains – Romantic Rail Journeys
Sleeper trains in Japan, like the iconic Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo, offer a beautifully nostalgic and romantic way to journey across the country. These overnight trains blend the elegance of old-world travel with the efficiency of modern Japan, whisking passengers from Tokyo to destinations like Takamatsu or Izumo.
As the train hums through quiet towns and along coastlines under starlit skies, there’s a soothing rhythm that makes sleep come easy. Wake early, and you’ll be rewarded with a magical moment: the sun rising over the Seto Inland Sea, casting golden reflections on the water as the train glides by.
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