I’ve landed in dozens of cities around the world. After every flight, I take whatever transport gets me to the hotel — taxis, buses, subways, the occasional sketchy van. And after years of this, I’ve come to one conclusion: Japan’s train system has ruined me for everywhere else.
This is not an exaggeration. It’s a problem.
They Are Always On Time. Always.
Japanese trains don’t run “on time” the way other countries claim to. They run on time the way a Swiss watch runs on time. If the schedule says 9:47, the doors close at 9:47. Not 9:48. Not “around 9:50.” 9:47.
The national average delay for the Shinkansen bullet train is under one minute. Per year. If a train is delayed by more than a few minutes, the operator issues a formal apology. Passengers receive delay certificates to show their employer.
As a pilot, I respect this deeply. In aviation, we live and die by schedules. Japan’s trains operate by the same standard.
They Go Everywhere
Tokyo has 13 subway lines, hundreds of stations, and connects seamlessly to regional rail, the Shinkansen, and airport express services. You can get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo in about 60 minutes without touching a taxi.
From Tokyo, you can reach Kyoto in 2 hours 15 minutes by Shinkansen. Osaka in 2 hours 30. Hiroshima in 4 hours. These are city-center to city-center times — no traffic, no delays, no stress.
In the US, a 4-hour drive could get you stuck in traffic for 6. In Japan, the train just goes.
They Run Almost 24 Hours
Tokyo’s trains run from around 5am to midnight. That covers pretty much everything you’d want to do as a visitor. Late dinner? Covered. Early morning temple visit? Covered. The only real gap is the 12am–5am window, which is what taxis and the occasional all-night walk are for.
“The Flight Was Late — But the Train Wasn’t Going to Wait”
Here’s a very real pilot problem: you land late, you’re exhausted, and you need to catch a train from the airport. In most countries, you’d grab a taxi and not think twice. In Japan, you check the last train time the same way you check weather minimums — because missing it has consequences.
The trains don’t care that your inbound was delayed. They run on their schedule. Which, again, is perfect. Just not always convenient at 11:45pm.
It’s Clean, Safe, and Quiet
Japanese trains are spotlessly clean. There’s no graffiti, no smell, no anxiety about who you’re sitting next to. Phone calls are considered rude — most passengers sit quietly or look at their phones with the sound off. Priority seats for elderly and pregnant passengers are genuinely respected.
First-time visitors from the US often describe riding the Tokyo subway as “weirdly peaceful.” That’s exactly right.
Practical Tips for Using Japan’s Trains
- Get a Suica or Pasmo card — A rechargeable IC card that works on virtually every train, subway, and bus in Japan. Load it up at the airport and tap in and out everywhere. No need to buy individual tickets.
- Download Google Maps — It works perfectly for Japanese train navigation and gives you step-by-step directions including platform numbers and transfer times.
- The Japan Rail Pass — If you’re traveling between cities (Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka), a JR Pass can save you significant money. Do the math before you buy — it’s worth it for multi-city trips, less so if you’re staying in Tokyo.
- Stand on the left on escalators — In Tokyo, stand left, walk right. In Osaka, it’s the opposite. Don’t be the person blocking the escalator.
- Last train time matters — Know when the last train runs from wherever you’re going. Missing it in a city where taxis are expensive is a costly mistake.
The Verdict
Japan’s train system is the best in the world. I say this having used public transport in Tokyo, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Honolulu (okay, Honolulu’s bus barely counts). Nothing comes close.
The problem is that once you’ve used it, everywhere else feels broken. You find yourself standing on a platform in another country, watching a delayed train roll in 12 minutes late, and thinking: Japan wouldn’t do this.
Japan never does this.
Getting from the Airport into Tokyo
From Narita Airport: The Narita Express (N’EX) runs directly to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Yokohama. Fast, comfortable, and no transfers. Travel time to central Tokyo is about 60 minutes.
From Haneda Airport: Even better — Haneda is closer to the city. The Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu Line both get you to central Tokyo in 30–40 minutes.
One thing to know about luggage: Japanese trains are efficient, but storage space is limited. Overhead racks exist but aren’t designed for large suitcases. If you’re traveling with multiple bags, the airport limousine bus is a great alternative — it goes directly to major hotels with proper luggage storage underneath. Slower than the train, but much more comfortable when you’re loaded up after a long flight.
Another option: use a luggage forwarding service (takuhaibin). Send your bags from the airport to your hotel for around ¥1,500–¥2,500 per bag, delivered the next day. Widely used by Japanese travelers and incredibly convenient.
— Captain7x7