The simplest way from the airport to your area, how to turn on your eSIM, and the small things that make the first hours easy. Figures are approximate as of October 2026; confirm times and fares with the operator before you ride.
1. Turn on your eSIM when you land
Connect to the airport Wi-Fi first if you still need to install the QR code. Then: Settings → Mobile/Cellular → choose the iroiro eSIM for mobile data → turn on data roaming for that line only. Your home SIM can stay in the phone with its roaming off. The plan's validity starts at this first connection in Japan.
Keisei SkylinerFastest. Reserved seats; buy at the counter or online.
Nippori / Ueno
about 40–45 min
about ¥2,600
JR Narita Express (N'EX)Direct to the big west-side stations. Covered by the JR Pass.
Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku
55–90 min
about ¥3,100 to Tokyo
Keisei Access ExpressCheapest train; no reservation.
Asakusa, Nihombashi, Shinagawa
about 60–75 min
about ¥1,300
Airport Limousine BusDoor to door with luggage; traffic can add time.
Major hotels, Tokyo Station, Shinjuku
75–120 min
about ¥3,200
Haneda Airport (HND)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
Keikyu LineThrough trains continue to Asakusa and Narita.
Shinagawa (then JR), Asakusa
about 13–20 min to Shinagawa
about ¥330
Tokyo MonorailCovered by the JR Pass.
Hamamatsucho (then JR Yamanote)
about 13–18 min
about ¥520
Airport Limousine BusEasiest with luggage.
Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, hotels
40–70 min
about ¥1,400
Osaka
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
Nankai Rapi:tReserved seats, direct to Namba.
Namba
about 35–40 min
about ¥1,500 (discount ticket about ¥1,350)
Nankai Airport ExpressNo reservation; a few more stops.
Namba
about 45 min
about ¥970
JR HarukaBest for Shin-Osaka or Kyoto; covered by the JR Pass.
Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto
about 35 min to Tennoji
about ¥1,800–3,000 by distance
Airport Limousine BusNo stairs; traffic can add time.
Namba (OCAT), Umeda, hotels
about 50–60 min
about ¥1,300–1,600
Osaka Itami Airport (domestic) (ITM)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
Airport Limousine BusSimplest; buses every 15–20 min.
Namba (OCAT), Umeda
about 25–35 min
about ¥700
Osaka Monorail + Midosuji subwayChange at Senri-Chuo.
Umeda, Namba
about 50 min
about ¥800 total
Kyoto
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
JR HarukaDirect; covered by the JR Pass. Every 30 min.
Kyoto Station
about 75–85 min
about ¥3,000–3,700 (visitor one-way ticket about ¥2,200)
Airport Limousine BusEasiest with luggage.
Kyoto Station (Hachijo exit)
about 90–110 min
about ¥2,800
Osaka Itami Airport (domestic) (ITM)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
Airport Limousine BusDirect; every 20–30 min.
Kyoto Station
about 55 min
about ¥1,500
Sapporo
New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
JR Rapid AirportEvery 15 min; reserved seats cost extra. Covered by the JR Pass.
Sapporo Station
about 33–40 min
about ¥1,230
Airport busUseful with luggage; slower in snow.
Central Sapporo and hotels
about 70–80 min
about ¥1,300
Fukuoka
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
Subway Kuko LineFrom the domestic terminal; the free shuttle bus links it to the international terminal.
Hakata (5 min), Tenjin (about 11 min)
5–11 min
about ¥260
Okinawa (Naha)
Naha Airport (OKA)
Route
To
Time
Fare (adult, approx.)
Yui Rail (monorail)A 24-hour pass is about ¥800.
Kencho-mae / Kokusai-dori, Omoromachi
about 13 min to Kencho-mae
about ¥270
Rental carMost of Okinawa outside Naha needs a car; book before you land.
Anywhere on the island
—
varies
With heavy luggage, the airport limousine bus drops you at major hotels and terminals without stairs or transfers. Trains are faster and cheaper. Taxis from Narita or Kansai cost well over ¥20,000; from Haneda or Itami they are reasonable for a group.
3. Get an IC card for trains, buses and shops
A prepaid IC card (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and others) works on almost every train, subway and bus nationwide and at convenience stores and vending machines. Tap in, tap out. iPhone users can add a Suica in Apple Wallet before landing and top it up with a foreign card; many Android phones sold outside Japan cannot. Physical cards are sold at airport stations: Welcome Suica (Tokyo airports, no deposit, 28-day validity) or ICOCA (Kansai). Contactless credit cards are also accepted on a growing number of lines.
4. Cash and cards
Cards and phone payments work at hotels, chains, stations and most restaurants, but small shops, shrines, some ramen counters and markets still take cash only. Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven (Seven Bank), Lawson and AEON ATMs, which accept foreign cards 24 hours; airport exchange counters give worse rates. Tipping is not expected anywhere.
5. The convenience store solves most problems
7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson are open 24 hours: water, hot food, phone chargers and cables, umbrellas, ATMs, clean toilets, and tickets for events. Prices are the same as elsewhere. Carry your rubbish: public bins are rare, but stores and stations have them.
6. Small things worth knowing
Stand on one side of the escalator (left in Tokyo, right in Osaka) and keep phones silent on trains.
Shoes off where you see a raised floor or slippers: some ryokan, temples, restaurants and changing rooms.
Tap water is safe to drink. Free toilets are in every station, department store and convenience store.
Most shops open around 10:00; last trains run shortly after midnight, and taxis are the only option after that.
7. If something goes wrong
Emergencies: dial 110 (police) or 119 (ambulance and fire). The Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO) answers 24 hours in English, Chinese and Korean at 050-3816-2787. For anything about your eSIM, or a phone call you need made in Japanese, open the chat: iroiro AI answers first and a member of our team takes over in your language whenever you ask.
