How to Pay at the Restaurant Cashier

Most commonly, you are supposed to pay the bill at the cashier. Firstly, you need to ask for the bill while still at your table and the waiter will bring you the bill. Even though you would expect to pay at your table as well, this is usually not how it works in Japan. You need to bring your bill to the cashier and pay it there. Japanese people normally make payments just before leaving the restaurant so that they don’t need to go back to the table after their payment, and the waiters can start clearing the table as soon as they get to the cashier.

One of the biggest mysteries that can happen is that the bill may not indicate the total amount. It may just indicate what you ordered in Japanese, so you may not think it is the bill. If you are skeptical, when you pay at the cashier, you can ask for the receipt and you can check the itemized prices of all the items that you ordered. It may not be easy, however, because the receipt is normally written only in Japanese.

Otoshi (Appetizer)

At some restaurants, especially at Izakaya (居酒屋), a Japanese style pub or bar, an appetizer called otoshi (お通し), or table charge, may be served automatically without you having ordered it. This appetizer is not free of charge, and it will appear on your bill at the end. You can regard this as a kind of cover charge.

It sometimes causes trouble between the restaurant and foreign visitors, because they don’t expect this. The waiter normally doesn’t explain this when you enter a restaurant, and it is usually not written on the menu. This is just a traditional custom of Japanese bars that you should know about before visiting any bar or restaurant in Japan. The price of otoshi is about 500 yen per person. Otoshi is a chance for the restaurant to serve something original to entertain their customers. From the customers’ point of view, they can relieve their hunger without waiting a long time for the food that they ordered.

You may be able to refuse otoshi at some restaurants. But in that case, you should ask the staff at the beginning before you even sit down. We recommend you to try it though. As it may be something you would have otherwise not tried even though these appetizers are often tasty. Plus, some restaurants may indeed not serve you the otoshi appetizer, but still charge you the table charge.

Tax, Charges, and Tipping in a Restuarant

There are other things that may make the final total on your bill higher than you expected besides otoshi. As the price listed on the menu may not include the sales tax. As of 2020, the percentage of the consumption tax is 10%. You need to ask the restaurant staff if the tax is included or not, and if it is not, you have to add 10% to the prices so that you will not be surprised at the cashier.

Another mystery charge that can get added to your bill is the service charge. It is especially the expensive restaurants or hotel restaurants that charge this extra fee. It is similar to a tip, even though Japan doesn’t have a tipping culture. The percentage is usually between 10 to 15 percent, and it should be mentioned (in small letters) on the menu that this charge will be added to your bill.

The good news for more budget-conscious customers, though, is the non-tipping custom that generally prevails in Japan. You only pay the exact amount that appears on the bill, and you don’t need to add a tip. If you try to give a tip, the staff may actually get embarrassed. In Japanese restaurants, there is not one person in charge of a specific table, as all the waiters take care of all the tables. This means they will not expect a tip from certain customers.

How to Pay with a Ticket Vending Machine

At some restaurants, you need to pay right when you come in and before you sit down. In this case, you need to buy a ticket at the vending machine that will be placed at the entrance. Most restaurant chains and newer restaurants have pictures to go with the dishes’ names, but in some smaller places, all you will see is a bunch of buttons with Japanese characters on them. In this case, you can try to use Google Translate, or ask a staff member for help. You will mostly find this system in Japanese-style fast-food restaurants such as ramen joints and beef bowl restaurants (牛丼).

The advantages of this system are that you don’t need to worry about otoshi, consumption tax, and service charges. The prices that are mentioned on the button or on the screen are all-inclusive. You can also just get up and leave once you are done without having to ask for the bill first.

Methods of Payment in a Restaurant

Japan used to be a cash society; customers preferred to pay by cash rather than by credit card, and restaurants preferred to receive payment by cash. Many shops and restaurants were not willing to introduce the machines that were necessary to accept card payments. Adding to that, the shops need to pay a fee if the customers pay by card.

The switch from cash to electronic payments was already happening before the COVID-19 crisis hit, but the crisis has sped things up considerably, and now many shops and restaurants are accepting cards and other ways of electronic payment. Before that, when the Japanese government raised the percentage of consumption tax from 8% to 10%, they promoted the introduction of electronic payments to shops and restaurants that didn’t have the option yet. If the customers used the cards, they got a return of 5% to their account. To cooperate with this promotion, many shops and restaurants introduced electronic payment methods.

It is, however, good to keep in mind that if you go to a small restaurant in Japan they may still only accept cash. So it is always smart to have a bit of cash in your wallet just in case.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including guides who can explain everything about Japanese customs. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Joanna Lumley’s Japan (tour through Japan)

This lovely 3-part series shows a curious Joanna Lumley who travels all the way from Hokkaido to Okinawa in an amazing journey past many of Japan’s most beautiful sights and cultural curiosities. Japan’s unspoiled nature features heavily in the series, and you are going to want to get off the beaten path to immerse yourself in the natural bounty the country has to offer to find your inner peace.

We organize tours that include pristine nature as seen in the series in Hokkaido and Kyushu.

You can watch Joanna Lumley’s Japan here.

Netflix Shows : Midnight Diner

In this cute, somewhat nostalgic series you will be told somebody’s private story in each episode while they are eating at a place called Meshiya which simply means ‘meal shop’ in Japanese. It is the humanity in the stories that make the series interesting, and the typical Japanese vistas and cultural elements you will see will make you want to dive deeper.

The very Japanese dishes that are cooked during the story will definitely induce your appetite, each episode focuses on the dish that is requested by the person whose story you will hear. Most of the dishes are typical home-cooked meals that you won’t find in an average Japanese restaurant abroad, so be prepared to learn a lot more about Japanese cooking while watching this heart-warming series.

We organize tours that include Shinjuku, the area where the story takes place.

You can watch Midnight Diner on Netflix.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

In season 2, episode 7 the late Anthony Bourdain takes you to the underbelly of Tokyo in his famous series where gourmet food plays a central role. Tokyo’s most interesting and extreme subcultures also play a prominent part in the episode, and Mr. Bourdain makes his viewers wonder whether what antics you see displayed in the underworld of Tokyo are really that different from what goes on behind closed doors and in the back of our minds in other parts of the world. The connection with the perfectionism of high-end Japanese sushi chefs is also made, as nowhere in the world are chefs so serious about the tiniest detail and the honing of a skill until it is nothing but perfect.

We organize tours that include off-beat locations in Tokyo like in the Parts Unknown Tokyo episode.

You can watch Parts Unknown, Tokyo here.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including destinations you have seen in TV series or movies. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

The official currency of Japan is the Yen (currency symbol: ¥). Japanese money consists of 6 coins of ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500. There are also 4 banknotes of ¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000, and ¥10000 respectively. As in many countries, Japan’s money is illustrated with historically significant people and cultural symbols. Learn more about the people and places that are depicted on the money in Japan!

Japanese Coins

1 Yen aluminum coin

The design of the 1 yen coin was made in 1955, making it the oldest among Japanese coins. For the first time, the design of a coin had been decided by a public contest. The Wakagi tree that is drawn on the coin’s face is an imaginary tree and symbolizes the growth of Japan.

5 Yen brass coin

The current shape of the 5 yen coin has a hole in the center. It was designed in 1949 and the writing was renewed in 1959. The design of this coin represents the main Japanese industries of the time: the ear of rice = agriculture, water = fishery, the wheel = industry. In addition, the strand on the side of the coin symbolizes Japan’s parliamentary democracy following the defeat in WW2.

10 Yen bronze coin

The 10 yen coin was issued in 1959. The temple drawn on the coin is the Byodo-in Houou-do in Kyoto, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by the clan of Fujiwara no Yorimichi, regent of the Heian period, in 1052. He had this temple built to create a paradise in this world. It has never been 100% destroyed despite the civil wars and two world wars. Therefore, it represents longevity and cultural richness.

50 Yen white copper coin

The first 50 yen coin was designed in 1955 and was made of silver. Its design had been decided with a public contest as for the 1 yen coin. The first version of the coin was undrilled and looked very similar to the 100 yen coin. Its design was modified in 1977 to be pierced when the 100 yen coin was renewed. On the front side, we can see chrysanthemums, a symbol of imperial power in Japan.

100 yen white copper coin

The first silver 100 yen coin came into circulation in 1957 with a phoenix in its design, and it was replaced in 1959 by the design of an ear of rice. As silver became more and more expensive, it was replaced by white copper in 1977 and at the same time, the design of the cherry blossom.

500 Yen brass and nickel coin

The 500 yen coin was introduced as the most recent and the most valuable coin. It was introduced in 1982 to be used in vending machines for drinks or subway tickets because they were developing very quickly and the prices were starting to rise. On the front side, there is a drawing of a paulownia, a sacred tree because the phoenix comes to rest on it. On the backside, there is a bamboo at the top and bottom and a tachibana, a Japanese citrus fruit, on the left and right. In 2000, its material was replaced by nickel and brass in order to fight against counterfeiting while keeping the same design.

Japanese Banknotes

If you look at Japanese paper money, you will see that historical figures are depicted on the bills. These faces should be familiar to Japanese people of any age because of their cultural value and not political value.

Bill of 1000 Yen

The current model was introduced in 2004. On the front is a portrait of Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), a bacteriologist who devoted himself to the study of yellow fever. On the back, Mount Fuji and the cherry blossom, both symbols of Japan, are drawn.

Bill of 2000 Yen

This quite rare bill was issued in 2000 to celebrate the G8 summit held on Okinawa Main Island in July of the same year. It is the only bill where no character portrait appears: on the front is drawn the Shurei-mon portal of Shuri Castle in Naha (Okinawa) and on the back, Murasaki Shikibu and his famous novel “The Tale of Genji”, written in the 11th century and considered as the first psychological novel in the world.

Bill of 5000 Yen

The current model was put into circulation in 2004 and this is the second time a woman appears on a banknote (the first being Empress Jingu in 1881). This woman is Ichiyo Higuchi (1872-1896), a poet of the Meiji era. On the reverse side, there is a painting of Iris by Korin Ogata (1658-1716).

Bill of 10000 Yen

The current model was put into circulation in 2004 along with the 1000 and 5000 yen banknotes. On the front, it shows the portrait of Yukichi Fukuzawa (1835-1901), a thinker, writer, teacher, translator who founded Keio University, and on the back, the phoenix of Byodo-in Hououdou Temple (sometimes referred to as the phoenix of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto).

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including guides that can tell you all about Japanese money, symbolism, and history. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Airport Transfers Japan

No matter at which airport in Japan you arrive, we have got you covered. Whether you arrive in Narita, Haneda, Kansai International Airport, or any other airport in Japan, we can get you the most reliable and best-priced airport transfers. A driver will be waiting for you and your family or group at the arrival gate of the airport with a sign with your name on it, and you will be smoothly transported to your hotel with all your luggage.

We can arrange sedan cars for solo travelers, couples or small groups, minivans for mid-sized groups, and large buses for larger groups. Just let us know when you arrive, where you arrive, to which hotel you need to go to, how many people there are in your group, and how many pieces of luggage you expect to bring, and we can give you a quote.

Private Transportation Vehicles Japan Tour (Day Tours)

We can also arrange your private charter sedans, minivans, or buses with (English speaking) private drivers for private day tours at a good price. Whether you want to do a Tokyo city tour, Kyoto city tour, any other city tour in Japan, or a day trip to a destination outside of the major cities, we have got you covered.

We would need to know where you would like to be picked up and dropped off, how many people there are, whether you would like a budget car/mid-range car/luxury car, and what the tour destination is to give you a quote.

Private Vehicles Japan Tour (Multi-day Tours)

Finally, we can arrange private transportation for multi-day tours in Japan as well. Even if you are traveling all over Japan, we can get the best (English speaking) driver for your Japan tour. Also for multi-day tours, sedans, minivans or larger buses are all possible. If you would like to get a personalized quote for private transportation a multi-day Japan tour, we need your rough itinerary, the number of people, expected number of suitcases, and vehicle preference.

If you are not sure of your itinerary yet and are still in the initial stages of planning your Japan trip, we can still give you a rough quote for the number of days and type of vehicle you need.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including your private transportation needs for parts of your trip or your whole trip. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

National Holidays in Japan (Q1)

• January 1 (national holiday)
  New Year (shogatsu)
  This is the most important holiday in Japan. While only January 1st is designated as a national holiday, many businesses remain closed through January 3.  People in Japan go to the shrine and pray for our prosperity in the new year during this time.
• Second Monday of January (national holiday)
  Coming of Age (seijin no hi)
  This is coming of age day, a day during which 20-year-old men and women are celebrated.

• February 3
  Beginning of spring (setsubun)
  Setsubun is not a national holiday but it is celebrated at shrines and temples nationwide. On this day, we throw away beans while saying ” Devils out! Happiness in !” and people eat the same number of beans as their age.
• February 11 (national holiday)
  National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinenbi)
  According to the earliest Japanese history records, on this day in the year 660 BC, the first Japanese emperor was crowned.
• February 14
  Valentine’s Day
  In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day. It is not a national holiday.
• February 23 (national holiday)
  Emperor’s Birthday (Tenno  tanjobi)
  The birthday of the current emperor is always a national holiday. If the emperor changes, the national holiday changes to the birthday of the new emperor.

• March 3
  Doll’s Festival (Hina matsuri)
  On this day, families with girls wish their daughters a successful and happy life. Hina Ningyo (dolls) are displayed in the house together with peach blossoms.
• Around March 20 (national holiday)
  Spring Equinox Day (shunbun no hi)
  Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.

National Holidays in Japan (Q2)

• April 29 (national holiday): Golden week start from this day.
  Showa Day (Showa no hi)
  The birthday of former Emperor Showa. Before 2007, April 29 was known as Greenery Day (now celebrated on May 4). Showa Day is part of the Golden Week.

• May 3 (national holiday)
  Constitution Day (kenpo kinenbi)
  A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which was put into effect after the war.
• May 4 (national holiday)
  Greenery Day (midori no hi)
  Until 2006, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29, the former Emperor Showa’s birthday, due to the emperor’s love for plants and nature. It is now celebrated on May 4 and is part of the Golden Week.
• May 5 (national holiday)
  Children’s Day (kodomo no hi)
  Also called boys’ festival.

National Summer Holidays in Japan (Q3)

• July/August 7
  Star Festival (tanabata)
  Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday.
• Third Monday of July (national holiday)
  Ocean Day (umi no hi)
  A recently introduced national holiday to celebrate the ocean. The day marks the return of Emperor Meiji from a boat trip to Hokkaido in 1876.

• August 11 (national holiday)
  Mountain Day (yama no hi)
  Newly introduced in 2016, this national holiday celebrates the mountains.
• July/August 13-15
  Obon
  Obon is a Buddhist event to commemorate deceased ancestors.  This period, most Japanese people go back to their home town to celebrate this holiday with family for their ancestors. Many people are off work this week.

• Third Monday of September (national holiday)
  Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi)
  Respect for the elderly and longevity are celebrated on this national holiday.
• Around September 23 (national holiday)
  Autumn Equinox Day (shubun no hi)
  Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.

National Holidays in Japan (Q4)

• Second Monday of October (national holiday)
  Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi)
  On this day in 1964, the Olympic Games in Tokyo were opened.

• November 3 (national holiday)
  Culture Day (bunka no hi)
  A day for the promotion of culture and the love of freedom and peace.
• November 15
  Seven-Five-Three (shichigosan)
  Girls aged three and seven and boys aged three and five are celebrated on Shichigosan around November 15, and families go to the shrine to pray for their good health and growth. The children (boys and girls) wear kimono and have their pictures taken. After the ceremony, all the family members get together at a restaurant and have a great dinner.
• November 23 (national holiday)
  Labor Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi)
  A national holiday for honoring labor.

• December 24-25
  Christmas
  Christmas is not a national holiday, but shopping malls are heavily decorated in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and many people follow local Christmas traditions, such as eating chicken at KFC and a Christmas cake or having a fancy dinner outside with one’s partner.
• December 31
  New Year’s Eve (omisoka)
  December 31 is not a national holiday. but generally, this is a day to take a rest. Many families gather and have dinner, and at midnight, Japanese people often eat soba noodles for longevity.

Your Japan Tour

If you are thinking about making a trip to Japan, as seasoned Japan experts we can help you create your perfect Japan tour, including expert guides who can add to your holiday with their extensive knowledge of Japanese culture and they know just where to go on a national holiday for the best experience. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Bus

The Access Narita bus and Limousine bus services run between Narita, downtown Tokyo, and major hotels. Tickets cost between 1000 and 3000 yen per adult and can be bought online or on the bus from the driver. There are several routes depending on the final destination. The buses leave every 15-30 minutes, and it takes about 1.5 hours with normal traffic conditions to get to central Tokyo. You can use Google maps to find out which bus is most convenient for you to take.

Train

There are two trains that you can take to get to central Tokyo, the Keisei Skyliner, and the JR Narita Express. Going by train is usually a bit faster than taking the bus, and might be your best option if traffic conditions on the road aren’t good or if you have a valid JR pass on your day of arrival or departure. The price is between 1500-3500 yen per adult, or free if you have a valid JR pass.

You can buy a ticket at the station, which is located in terminals 1 and 2. There are ticket machines and ticket counters, and the employees tend to speak enough English to be able to help you out. The disadvantage of taking the train is that it is inconvenient to go through the stations with your luggage and from the station to your hotel, so if the hotel is a bit of a walk away from the station still, you can opt to take a taxi for the remaining part.

Taxi

Taxis are the most comfortable way of getting around, but also the most expensive. A one-way ride from Narita to a hotel in central Tokyo can easily set you back around 25,000 yen or more. No tipping is expected. Taxis are available on almost every street, at major hotels, near railway stations and of course at the airport.
You don’t need to touch the door when getting in or out of a taxi. The doors on taxi are operated by the driver with a remote lever. Many taxi drivers speak only Japanese, so it can be helpful to have your destination written in Japanese.

Baggage Delivery

Most residents of Japan take advantage of Japan’s fast and reliable home delivery network. After clearing immigration and customs, take your luggage to the ABC or QL liner counter in the main terminal. For about 1,800yen per bag, they will deliver the bag by the following day wherever you are.

JR Pass

The shinkansen is operated by JR, and it is a great way to discover many different areas in Japan without breaking the bank. While it is expensive to use the shinkansen for residents of Japan, foreign tourists are lucky. They can get the all-you-can-ride JR pass for a great price for the duration of 1, 2, or 3 weeks. As distances are quite far between Japanese cities, it is certainly recommended to make use of this pass.

Nearly all regions can be reached on the shinkansen network, including Hokkaido and Kyushu. The most-used line is the Nozomi, which is the fastest type of shinkansen. Unfortunately, this is the only line that cannot be used on a JR pass, but you can use the slightly slower Hikari instead to travel between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka.

Prices on the JR pass get updated regularly, but you can count on paying prices around this level. 330 USD for a 1-week pass, 530 USD for a 2-week pass, and 660 USD for a 3-week pass. This would be for using the ordinary car. If you would like to be able to use the so-called Green Car (1st class) it’s between 120-250 USD per pass extra. While the Green Car seats are a bit more comfortable and offer more space, the ordinary class also has plenty of leg space and comfortable seats.

Reservations for the Bullet Train

If you get a JR pass, it is strongly recommended to get seat reservations for the trains you are planning to use. Especially in the high season, rush hours, or on weekends the train tends to get crowded. For some trains, it is even reservation-only. If you book a tour through us, your airport assistant or tour guide can help you with making these reservations.

If you’d have to make the reservations yourself, you can do this at most large JR stations. It is also possible at every international airport. The place you need to look for is called ‘Midori no Madoguchi’. It would be a good idea to write down what you want to book, so there will not be any misunderstandings. This is the information you would need to write down:

1. From which station to which station you want to travel
2. On which date you want to travel
3. At what time you would like to leave

Making these reservations is free. If you travel with large luggage, you need to reserve space for your luggage as well. You can do this at the same time as when you make your seat reservations.

are you not getting a JR pass but a regular ticket to travel on the shinkansen? Then you can use the vending machines at any JR station. These machines are multi-lingual, so as long as you follow the instructions on the screen it should work out. You can also choose to buy a ticket at the ticket office. Employees don’t always speak English, but they are generally still able to help you.

Safe and Reliable

The shinkansen has a great safety record and hasn’t been in any accident involving passengers yet. Even though it has already been in operation for 50 years, it is very safe. All the people involved with the operation, maintenance, and the development of new technology are putting especially great efforts into safety. Japanese trains in general and the shinkansen, in particular, are also known for always running on time. This is the case no matter what the weather circumstances are and in spite of the short intervals between trains. This is because of automatic train control and schedule management, and the great technical skills of the train operators.

Riding the shinkansen on your trip to Japan is not only a great way to get from A to B, but it is also a great chance to experience Japanese-style punctuality, reliability, and service-mindedness.

Your Japan Tour

If you are thinking about making a trip to Japan, as seasoned Japan experts we can help you create your perfect Japan tour and arrange your transportation either by private car or by public transportation. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Sizes and Prices

There are several sizes of coin lockers, but it is good to bear in mind that on smaller stations there are usually only a few larger capacity lockers.

This is an example of the sizes and prices of the coin lockers at Tokyo station:
– 55 cm Height × 34 cm Width × Depth 57 cm: 400 yen / day
– 84 cm Height × 34 cm Width × Depth 57cm: 500 yen / day
– 103 cm Height × 34 cm Width × Depth 57cm: 700 yen / day

Prices are generally between 200 yen-700 yen/day, depending on the size. The coin locker price is based on a midnight to midnight rate, not a 24-hour rate. Therefore, if the luggage is placed at 10 am One day, it must be picked up before midnight that night, or else, a higher rate will be charged. Sometimes, the limit is up to 2 am, so it must be checked on the locker signs. If the belongings are left in the locker after this time, more money must be inserted before the luggage can be accessed.

How to Use a Station Coin Locker

Are you using IC cards (Pasmo, Suica, etc.) to pay for the coin locker? Then you must press the ‘Deposit’ button on the touch panel. The screen indicates which of the boxes are empty. The bags are deposited, the locker is closed and paid for with the card. To pick them up, the ‘Retrieval’ button is pressed, the card is read by the reader and the locker will open automatically. Nowadays most coin locker systems will have an English explanation and menu option, so using the coin lockers should not be too complicated anymore.

You can pay the charge with 100-yen coins, and some systems also accept IC cards. If IC cards are not accepted, and you don’t have enough 100-yen coins there will usually be a machine to change money. Or, you can also go to the nearest convenience store or supermarket to get change. Once the coins have been inserted into the slot, you can open the locker with the key, store the luggage, close it, and carry the key.

In large stations, you can follow the signs for coin lockers. And in small stations, it is usually easy to find them near the exit of the station.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours that make your trip fun and worry-free. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Video on Station Coin Locker Use in Japan

Metro is privately owned and only runs in and around central Tokyo, but if you are in Tokyo and don’t know what to look for it is hard to see the difference between JR trains and Metro lines. A good way to tell them apart is to look at the shape of the station indicator; if it is square it is a JR line, and if it is round it is a Metro or other privately owned company’s line.

Japan’s railway system is known for being the world’s most reliable and punctual train system, and you will surely feel for yourself how convenient this smoothly running system is.

Train and Metro Tickets, Passes, and Cards

Depending on how often you are going to be using public transportation during your stay in Japan, it is either best to purchase a single ticket, a one-day pass, or a Suica or Pasmo card. Please also note that if you travel with kids between 6-12 years old, they can always get a ticket at half the price. Kids under 6 travel for free without a ticket.

If you are only going to be paying for your train ticket once or twice because you, for example, booked a rental car for most of your stay or will have a valid JR pass for the rest of your stay, it is best to buy a single ticket.  Tickets can be purchased at the machines located next to or near the ticket gates. You can use them in English by selecting the button that says ‘English’ that is commonly located in the upper left or right corner.

You need to look at the map that is usually above your head to see the price mentioned at the station you want to go to and choose that ticket price on the screen. Don’t worry too much about making a mistake, if you accidentally don’t pay enough you can pay the difference at the window at the station where you get off. You don’t have to pay any fine for that.

Single Tickets and Day Passes

If you are planning to travel a lot with JR lines on that day, but you don’t have a valid JR pass (yet), you can buy a day pass for only 750 yen that will let you use the JR lines within the city an unlimited amount of times. It is worth buying this pass if you are planning to take at least 3 trains that day. You can buy this pass in the ticket machine as well, it is usually under a button called ‘value ticket’.

The same goes for Metro tickets, depending on the places you want to visit you can also try to stick with just using Metro lines for the day and buy their 600-yen value ticket. Metro also has 2-day and 3-day passes for sale, but these can only be bought on a limited number of locations like large tourist information centers.

Then there are the value combination tickets that let you use both Metro and Toei lines for the day, or that let you use JR, Metro and Toei lines for the day. These tickets are a bit pricier though, and in general, just getting the one-day pass for either JR or Metro is enough.

Train and Metro IC Cards

If you are planning to use public transportation a lot for at least 2 or 3 days during your stay, it pays off to buy a Suica or Pasmo card. You can also buy these in the ticket machines, they cost 500 yen for the deposit which you can get 250 yen back from if you hand your Suica or Pasmo pass back before leaving Japan. Please note that this can only be done at certain stations, and only in Tokyo for Pasmo.

You can also choose to keep it, as you can use it for 10 years, and you can also give it away to someone else who is coming to Japan. This IC card can be charged with cash, and each time the balance runs low you can top it up at almost any machine at any station.

The great thing about IC cards is that you can use them for any mode of transportation (train, metro, bus, boat) all over Japan, and you can also use the card as a cash card in many convenience stores, restaurants, vending machines, and shops. You also don’t have to look up your fare for each trip anymore as the right amount will automatically be deducted.

This also makes switching between trains and metros easier. Please note that there are different IC cards besides Suica and Pasmo like Icoca and Manaca, but it doesn’t matter which one you get as they all work the same since the system got overhauled in 2013.

The Ticket Gate and Beyond

Using the ticket gate is simple. If you have a single ticket or a day pass, you have to enter it at the front and take it back at the other side of the gate. Don’t forget to do this, as otherwise, you won’t be able to get out of the destination station. Once you get to your destination you enter the ticket again and it will usually be swallowed by the machine. If it does come back, you should take it out so the next person can use the gate.

If you have an IC card, you just have to tap in at your entry station. And then you tap out when you exit your destination station and on some transfers.

If you have a valid JR pass, you always have to go past the manned window and show your pass to the employee.
You can easily find the right platform by following the signs, it is good to remember the end station of the line you are taking, and you can also use Google maps to know what your platform number is. When you line up it is common courtesy to make use of the lines on the floor. In general, it is least crowded in the first and last few cars of the train.

When the incoming train stops, you will have to wait until everyone has gone out. This is sometimes really fascinating to see, especially if the train is completely crowded. Once you get on the train, it is recommended to move to the sides of the car to free space in the middle.

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Japan Travel Prep Videos

Kyoto City Bus

The buses from Kyoto City Bus have a light green color. They also have a number on the front that indicates the direction you are going. If the number has a blue background and the numbers are white it means that it is within the area of ​​flat prices. That is, on buses that have this design the adult ticket will cost 230 yen and the children’s ticket will cost 120 yen. It will be this price, no matter where you get on or off. Buses that have another type of design on the screen where the number is shown have a different price depending on where you want to go.

Are you planning to take the bus at least 3 times in one day? Then it is recommended to buy the One-day Pass for 600 yen per person. With this pass, you can take all flat-fee buses as many times as you want. The flat-fee buses cover a wide range of attractions all over the city. So it is a good investment if you want to do a lot of sightseeing. This pass can be obtained at the Kyoto Bus Information Center outside the north exit of Kyoto Station, or on the bus itself.

Raku Bus for Tourists

There is also a tourist bus service called Raku Bus with a flat rate of 230 yen per ride. These buses have bright colors and are designed specifically for tourists, so they only stop at tourist sites. The announcements are made in English and other languages, as well as in Japanese. There are 3 Raku buses:

Raku Bus 100: departs from Kyoto station every 10 minutes between 7:40 and 17:00. Follow the following route: Kyoto Station – National Museum and Sanjusangendo Temple – Kiyomizudera Temple – Gion – Heian-jingu Shrine – Ginkakuji Temple

Raku Bus 101: departs from Kyoto station every 15 minutes between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Follow the following route: Kyoto Station – Nijo-jo Castle – Kitano Tenmangu Shrine – Kinkakuji Temple – Daitokuji Temple – Kitaoji Bus Terminal.

Raku Bus 102: leaves the Ginkakuji-michi bus stop every 30 minutes between 8:04 and 16:34. Follow the following route: Ginkakuji Temple – Kyoto Imperial Palace – Kitano Tenmangu Shrine – Kinkakuji Temple – Daitokuji Temple – Kitaoji Bus Terminal.

How To Ride the Kyoto Bus

You get on the bus via the back door, and you exit the bus at the front door where the driver is. The bus must be paid with the exact amount in coins, and although next to the slot to insert the money there is a machine that changes coins and bills of 1000 yen, it is recommended to have the exact amount ready when getting off because normally buses are crowded and it is not advisable to obstruct the passage of other passengers. IC cards can also be used on these buses instead of cash, making payments much faster and more efficient.

To request a stop, you just have to press one of the stop buttons. Kyoto buses have a screen in front showing which station you are leaving and what the route will be. In this way, there should be no confusion regarding when to press the stop button.

The buses are narrow and most do not have space to carry large suitcases, therefore, it is recommended not to travel on buses with large luggage but take a taxi instead.

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If you want to travel worry-free and follow your expert guide on the train, bus, or private bus, contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!