Getting around Japan with kids in tow

The best way to get around Japan, kids or no kids? Public transport.

Yes, we know you’re here for a holiday, not an odyssey. And yes, we know that nobody wants to be fiddling around with train timetables and subway tickets with children hanging off both elbows. It’s not because we can’t arrange private guided transfers, either. We absolutely can.

The thing is, travelling on Japan’s public transport system as a family is a joy. It’s not just train and subway, it’s cable car, monorail, funicular, bullet train, ferry, bus, plane — even pirate ship — all clean, quick, and as reliable as clockwork.

What’s more, you can be sure the journey will be an experience, whether you’re a child who’s delighted to meet a train station mascot in full Disney-style plush costume, or an adult charmed by the cabin attendant who bows as she leaves each train carriage.

Just trust us. Logistics are Japan’s forte.

What are the different fun ways to get around Japan?�

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, you’ll probably be getting around Japan by subway, limited express train, and shinkansen bullet train.

Subway

Japan’s subway systems look complicated at first glance, but don’t let that those tangled maps put you off. The subway is actually surprisingly easy to navigate, and getting swept along in the tide of Tokyoites on their way to work is a real only-in-Japan experience. Our favourite bit? Each station has its own jingle that plays when the train rolls in.

Limited express train

These are the fastest local trains, only stopping at major stations. If you ask us, even riding ordinary trains can be an adventure in Japan. White-gloved conductors and station staff are always beautifully uniformed and polite, and you get to mingle with regular Japanese people as they go about their lives. The people-watching is superb, and if you chug out into the countryside the landscape-watching is even better.

Shinkansen bullet train

Of course, the bullet train is the king of them all. As more countries bring in high-speed rail, 270 kph speeds will become less and less impressive — but Japan’s was the first, and for us, the long-nosed, retro-futuristic profile of the shinkansen will always be an icon. Even if you’re not wowed by the speeds, you just can’t argue with comfort, efficiency and sheer, hassle-free convenience (not to mention free Wi-Fi to babysit the kids).

And the rest...
- Take a pirate ship across Lake Ashi and ride a cablecar to sulphurous hot springs in Hakone
- Ride rattletrap trams re-homed from all over Japan in Hiroshima
- Chug along on a diesel-powered replica of a 19th-century steam train in Matsuyama
- Ride a monorail over Tokyo bay to Odaiba
- Cross the sea on a high-speed hydrofoil to Yakushima Island
- Island-hop across the Seto Inland Sea on local ferries
- Ascend to the mountaintop temple town of Mount Koya on a funicular railway
- These are just the beginning. There’s really no end to the different transport experiences your family can have in Japan, and the way it all meshes together seamlessly is a thing of beauty.

The subway? With children? Really?

We know what you’re thinking. You’ve probably seen the photos of Japanese commuters struggling to read their morning manga while pressed up against the sweaty window of a subway carriage, conductors politely but firmly squashing the last sardines into the can with sticks. Fancy hopping on there with kids in tow? No? Are you sure?

We’re kidding, of course. While we do think that getting swept along by the mega-crowds of Tokyo is one of those only-in-Japan things that are worth experiencing, it’s absolutely not worth experiencing with children – and you don’t have to.

There are times when the Tokyo transportation system is heaving, but they’re easy to avoid. The morning rush hour is from 7-9am, with stations staying fairly busy until about 10am; in the evenings it’s 5-7pm. The rest of the time, it’s a piece of cake. A piece of air-conditioned cake, in fact.

What about all our luggage?

We’re glad you asked. Among Japan’s many wonderful lifestyle innovations is a little thing called takuhaibin, a luggage forwarding service that’ll whisk your suitcase from hotel to hotel overnight, as if by magic.

All you need to do is drop your luggage with the hotel receptionist, who’ll arrange for it to be sent on to your next destination, where it’ll arrive the following day. You’ll need to carry an overnight bag for the night spent without your main baggage, and it costs a small fee each time, but it’s so much less hassle than lugging great big suitcases on and off transport — especially if you have children who might struggle with their own bags.

Without the stress of luggage, you’ll be free to hop on and off public transport to your heart’s content, enjoying all the amazing things Japan has to offer.

Will we be able to sit together on the train?

On limited express and bullet trains, absolutely. Whenever we buy individual tickets for clients, we always make sure they sit together. On subways it’s more of a free-for-all, but if you avoid the busy times we’ve mentioned above you should be fine.

If you‘re travelling with a Japan Rail Pass, which covers unlimited transport on the bullet train network, you’ll be able to reserve seats for your entire holiday when you pick up your pass at the beginning of the trip. Whoever you speak to at the counter will be able to check availability and find the best possible solution for any days that look busy.

How will we know when to get off?

These days, on all trains in Japan, stops are announed in Japanese and English, and at both ends of the carriage there will be a screen displaying the next stop in both languages. The announcement will also let you know which side of the train to exit.

If you’re the punctual type, you’re in good company: Japan’s bullet trains are famous for their on-the-dot timekeeping, which means you can usually rely on your arrival time to know when to get off. Limited express trains are much the same, and on subways you’ll be able to see which stop you’re at as soon as you arrive.

How do we tell if we’re taking the train in the right direction?

This isn’t as rare as you might think! Train departures will be listed in Japanese and English, but smaller stations may not appear. If you’re heading to a lesser-known station you can always head to the ticket window to double-check, just in case.

If you’re taking the bullet train, your ticket may not specify which platform you need to go to, but it will have the name and number of your train – which will be something like “Hikari 475”. Look for this name and number on the screens just after the bullet train gates and you’ll find the right platform number.

What if things go wrong?

It happens. Even with the best planning and intentions you could miss a train or get on the one going in the wrong direction.

One of our top tips is to always have a plan B in mind if you're worried about missing your train. Check timetables ahead of time, and if departures are infrequent there might be an alternative route available, or a different local activity you could have in your back pocket just in case.

Nobody ever intends for things to go wrong, but sometimes those are the times when you end up having the most surprising and memorable experiences. Regardless of the language barrier, there’s always someone ready to go out of their way to help you out. It’s one of the things we love about Japan.

For our clients, we provide a detailed info-pack with all the information they need to navigate Japan's incredibly efficient public transportation system stress-free. Train timetables? They’re all in there – together with instructions on how to get tickets reissued, and Plan B ideas in case you miss a train. Then, to top it up, there’s our English-speaking team in Japan. Whether you lose your wallet in a taxi or you want to know where to find the best fabric shops in Kyoto, they’re there to provide constant support and advice whenever it’s needed.

Are you ready to start planning your family adventure? Get in touch with one of our expert travel consultants and get started today.