Japan by Train: Suica, Shinkansen and Regular Tickets

Japan has an extensive railway network connecting cities, towns and regions across the country.

Different railway companies operate different services, but getting around doesn’t have to be complicated.

Suica and PASMO: Essential for traveling in Japan

If there’s one thing I recommend having when visiting Japan, it’s a Suica or PASMO card.

These rechargeable IC cards are far more than train tickets.

You can use them for:

• Trains, subways and buses in participating areas
• Convenience stores
• Restaurants and cafés
• Taxis that accept transportation IC payments
• Vending machines and many other shops

Just look for the Suica, PASMO or compatible transportation IC payment logo.

Instead of searching for coins or buying individual subway tickets, you simply tap your card.

Suica and PASMO also work across many parts of Japan, including major transportation networks in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other cities.

Not every transportation service or shop accepts them, and some journeys crossing IC-card regions require separate tickets.

But for everyday travel and small purchases, they’re incredibly convenient.

Having one means fewer things to worry about throughout your trip.

Shinkansen: Traveling between major cities throughout Japan

Japan’s Shinkansen network connects many major cities across the country.

Services operate across several regions, including Tohoku, Hokuriku, central Japan, western Japan and Kyushu.

The Shinkansen is fast, comfortable and often the most convenient way to travel between distant cities.

Unlike ordinary local trains, Shinkansen journeys require a specific ticket or eligible rail pass.

You can buy tickets at designated station machines, ticket counters or supported online reservation services.

Depending on the service, reserved and non-reserved seating may be available.

For popular travel periods, advance reservations are worth considering.

Can you board the Shinkansen with Suica?

Not simply by tapping a regular Suica card with money loaded onto it.

You normally need a separate Shinkansen ticket or an eligible pass.

However, services such as Smart EX allow you to associate purchased Shinkansen reservations with compatible registered IC cards.

The Shinkansen fare is paid separately when you book.

Large stations and large suitcases

Major Japanese railway stations can be surprisingly large.

I’ve seen travelers miss trains because they underestimated the time needed to reach their platforms.

Find your departure platform early, particularly when making connections.

If you’re carrying oversized luggage, check the baggage rules before booking.

On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, bags with combined dimensions exceeding 160 cm generally require an appropriate advance baggage-space reservation.

Keep it simple

For most travelers, the starting point is straightforward.

Suica or PASMO for everyday travel, individual train tickets for longer journeys, and a rail pass when it genuinely suits your itinerary.

You don’t need to understand every railway company before arriving in Japan.

A little preparation and the right combination of tickets can make traveling much more enjoyable.

For longer journeys, see our companion guide, Japan Rail Pass: National or Regional?