Long-distance trains provide convenient access to all parts of Japan.

Bus
Japan railway operates long-distance buses between Tokyo and other major cities. Though travel takes longer, sometimed due to heavy traffic, fares are cheaper than Shinkansen . Other bus companies provide bus travel between Tokyo and Niigata, fukushima, and Sendai.

Ferries and Cruise ships
Japan has an extensive network of ferry boat routes that link islands. The routes connect Tokyo with Hokkaido, Fukuoka in Kyushu, and Shikoku. Elegant cruise sihps set sail for coastal excursions from one domestic port to another. Water travel is another refreshngly different way to see and enjoy Japan.

Trains and subways
The stations of train and subway have automatic ticket gate. When you use city train or subway lines, insert your ticket in a punching machine and pass the gate and pick it up and keep it. At the destination gate, insert it again and pass the gate.

All major cities have extensive city bus routes and the routes are sometimes too complicated even for residents to understand. When you get on a bus, take a bus ticket which is numbered to indicate the fare zone.A electronic board behind a bus driver shows fare based on the zone number. For example, if your ticket number is 7, the fare you pay is shown under the number 7 on the board. Put the correct fare in the cash box beside the driver.

Japan Rail Pass provides virtually unlimited travel on the national network of JR railways, including the Shinkansen "bullet trains" except "Nozomi" super-express. A 7-day pass costs 27,800 yen. You may purchase a Japan Rail Pass if you are a foreign tourist visiting Japan for sightseeing. The Japan Rail Pass cannot be purchased in Japan, travelers have to obtain it at home country.