Hey friends! Ryan here from Adventures Assemble. I just got back from an incredible two-week trip to Japan, where I attended Star Wars Celebration and traveled solo from Tokyo to Hiroshima and back again. Not only was it my first time in Japan—it was also my first time in Asia. And I was a little bit nervous. Not just “what if I can’t figure out the language” nervous, but “what if I accidentally wander into the Sea of Japan” nervous.

See, I have no sense of direction. Like, I live in a small Northern California town and still need Google Maps just to find the grocery store. So the idea of navigating Tokyo’s subway system or hopping bullet trains across the country solo? Yeah. It was intimidating.

But guess what? I didn’t get lost. I made it. I thrived. I hit up multiple cities, ate weird snacks in weird places, and even made it to Miyajima Island without ending up in Korea by accident.

So here’s your friendly, nerd-approved guide to getting around Japan—even if you think you’re doomed to walk in circles.

The 4 Best Ways to Get Around Japan

Walking

Let’s start with the simplest method: your own two feet. If you’re able to walk and enjoy walking, Japan’s cities are incredibly walkable. I wandered around Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima, and not once did I feel unsafe or disoriented (well, okay, maybe mildly disoriented, but in a charming “where am I now?” kind of way).

Walking Tips:

• Traffic flows on the left side in Japan. If you’re used to cars driving on the right, this might throw you off. Pay attention when crossing.
• Sidewalks aren’t always a thing—sometimes you’re just walking alongside traffic. Be alert!
• Jaywalking is basically illegal (socially). Even if there are no cars in sight, locals wait for the walk signal. I jaywalked once and felt like an absolute rebel—and not in a cool Han Solo way.
• Google Maps is your best friend. Don’t worry about Japan’s complex address system. Google will take care of it.
• I felt 100% safe, even at night, and I didn’t stumble into any sketchy areas. Of course, your experience may vary, but Japan’s reputation for safety is well-earned.

Subways and Trains

Ah, the mythical Japanese train system. You’ve probably heard it’s efficient, spotless, and perfectly on time. I’m here to confirm: it is all true. It’s a logistical marvel.

Yes, it might feel overwhelming on day one—but by day two, you’ll feel like a local train-hopping pro.

Pro Subway Tips:

• Use Google Maps. It gives you train lines, departure times, platforms, transfers—everything. No need for any other app.
• Signs are in Japanese and English. You’ll never feel lost in a station.
• Use an IC card. I got a physical Suica card at Narita Airport, and it worked in every city I visited—including on the ferry to Miyajima. But…
• Digital Suica > Physical Suica. If you’ve got an iPhone, you can add it in your Wallet app. Just hover your phone over the reader at the gates—no Face ID, no tapping buttons, just beep and go.
• Android users: You’ll need a physical IC card. Totally fine, just don’t lose it like I did.
• Subway etiquette: It’s quiet. So be respectful, keep your voice down, and don’t blast YouTube clips of Baby Yoda on full volume. (I’m looking at you, random guy from the bullet train.)

Taxis

Sometimes, you don’t want to walk or deal with train schedules. Enter: Go Taxi, Japan’s version of Uber.

Download the Go Taxi app (available for both iPhone and Android). It works just like Uber or Lyft—and because it’s Japan, you don’t tip.

I didn’t use taxis much, but when I did, the experience was seamless. Drivers were polite, cars were immaculate, and the app made everything super easy.

Great for: late-night travel, luggage-heavy moves, or moments when your feet just give up.

Bullet Trains (Shinkansen)

Let’s talk about the crown jewel of Japanese transportation: the bullet train, aka the Shinkansen. These things are unreal—clean, quiet, futuristic, and fast.

I rode the bullet train three times:

• Tokyo to Osaka
• Osaka to Hiroshima
• Hiroshima back to Tokyo

Each ride was a joy. And I don’t say that lightly—I was hauling a suitcase, and train travel still felt pleasant.

How to Bullet Like a Boss:

• Types of seats:
  • Green Car: First class. Fancy.
  • Reserved Seats: Assigned seat, middle-of-the-road pricing.
  • Unreserved: Cheaper, but first-come, first-serve.
• Reserve early if you want a window seat—I didn’t, and every time I ended up aisle-bound.
• Google Maps will show you bullet train options, too.
• At the station, look for the sign that says “Shinkansen Tickets.” Everyone at the counter speaks English and is eager to help.
• Forget the websites. Seriously. Japan’s online ticket systems are a maze of pain. Just go to the station in person. It’s easier, faster, and way less frustrating.
• Get a bento box! Stations are full of snack shops. I got a bento with like nine little surprise compartments. It was like edible Animal Crossing.
• Restrooms? Beautiful. The cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen on a train. Possibly in life.
• Trash? Bring it with you. There are almost no trash cans, anywhere in Japan. And yet, it’s spotlessly clean. Carry your garbage until you find a bin or a convenience store.

But What If I’m Terrible with Directions?

Let me reiterate: I have zero sense of direction.

Like, I still get lost in my hometown. But in Japan? I was totally fine.

Why? Because I had:

• Google Maps
• An IC card
• Go Taxi when I needed it
• The magic of Japanese signage and the kindness of staff and strangers

Seriously, Google Maps is your secret weapon. It will tell you what exit to take from the station. It will show you the platform. It will estimate your arrival time down to the minute. It will tell you where to transfer and how many calories you’ll burn getting there. (Okay, not the last one, but maybe someday.)

Final Thoughts: You Got This

If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, and you’re anxious about transportation, take a deep breath. You will not get lost.

Use tech to your advantage. Stay polite. Follow the locals’ lead. And let yourself be amazed by how smooth and fun travel can be in a place like Japan.

And hey—if a chronically directionally challenged nerd like me can pull it off, you definitely can too.

Stay tuned for more Japan stories, food recaps, nerdy sightseeing, and convention breakdowns. And if you liked this post, check out more adventures over on Adventures Assemble on YouTube.

May your trains always be on time and your Google Maps never reroute mid-step.