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Whether your travelling by plane or bullet train, this guide will help make your journey smoother
Author of the article:
DINE and Destinations Magazine
Published May 30, 2025 • 3 minute read
Beautiful mountain landscape and Hozu River seen from Sagano Scenic Railway in Arashiyama, Japan. Photo by GETTY IMAGESArticle content
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By Adam Waxman
Canadians are currently enjoying a very favourable exchange rate with the Japanese yen. Travellers of all stripes, from budget to bougie, are taking advantage of this boost in purchasing power to put Japan on their immediate travel radar.
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Travel initiatives, packages and promotions make experiencing Japan more accessible than ever. Riding Japan’s world-famous Shinkansen is a bucket list experience in its own right. Yet it is also the key to going beyond the well-travelled areas of Japan and discovering the wonders of more distant prefectures.
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Whether by plane, train, or automobile, Canadians looking for easy transportation in Japan should read on below, as we dive into the need-to-knows and some exceptional deals for the budget-conscious traveller.
Take to the air
A plane in Japan. PHOTO COURTESY OF JNTO
Canadians are enjoying more airlift into Japan than ever before with direct flights on five carriers departing from four Canadian cities. In addition to grabbing the best deals during airline seat sales, you can also save on airfare domestically with low-cost carriers and special discounts like ANA’s Discover Japan Fare and JAL’s Japan Explorer Pass.
Ride the rails
A train in Japan. PHOTO COURTESY OF JNTO
Train travel in Japan is the most beautiful, immersive and convenient way to see the country and there are many scenic railway journeys which are just as impressive as the destination. The options are endless: city subways, local trains, express trains and high-speed bullet trains criss-cross the country, making rail travel both highly convenient and highly confusing. JNTO’s complete guide explains exactly how to navigate train and bus lines and provides all the information you need to make day trips and regional visits easy.
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For years, the Japan Rail Pass has been the best-known way for overseas travellers to save on train travel. Covering all Japan Railway (JR) lines across the country, the pass is available in 7-, 14-, or 21-day lengths and can be used on all but the top two speeds of Shinkansen bullet trains.
Beyond the all-encompassing countrywide pass, there are a plethora of different railway companies operating in different regions, each with their own discount offerings. Those who prefer a slower, more in-depth look at an area may want to consider the more localized regional passes and city subway passes.
The fact that two of Japan’s largest destinations, Tokyo and Osaka, belong to different regions has always thrown a wrench in the plans of those eyeing regional passes. Enter the Platt-KODAMA, a one-way Shinkansen ticket using the slower-speed Kodama shinkansen and a cost-effective way to travel between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.
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Find your stop
Bus in Japan. PHOTO COURTESY OF JNTO
Bus services are available throughout Japan and can be a very convenient alternative to trains — especially when travelling in more rural areas. Local buses can get you to more out-of-the-way spots, highway buses are an inexpensive way to travel between cities, and regional bus passes offer unlimited travel in their areas. Many major cities offer hop-on-hop-off passes which will get you to the major attractions in the area with minimal fuss. JNTO’s full guide on buses in Japan details the ins-and-outs of this flexible mode of transportation.
Embrace the open road
Driving in Japan. PHOTO COURTESY OF JNTO
For off-the-beaten path destinations like the natural, alpine oasis of Hokkaido or the mountainous region of Shikoku, car rentals are abundant, clean, easy and fun. In major destinations, main roads are equipped with English signage, and some rental companies have cars equipped with foreign-language navigation systems. Make sure to get an international driver’s permit from CAA before you leave. JNTO’s guide to car rentals in Japan lays out what you need to know to get started on your very own road trip in Japan!
Learn more about travelling to (and in) Japan at https://www.japan.travel/en/ca/.
This post appeared first on DINE and Destinations Magazine.
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