Japan Transportation Experience
Because we wanted to experience Japan's transportation, we didn't buy any pass like a JR Pass or Suica. We bought a ticket for each ride. Just after arriving in Osaka, we were completely confused by the incredibly complex bus transfers—we wasted several rounds inside the station, took the wrong train, and bought the wrong ticket. Later we figured out some tricks. First, using Google Maps navigation requires a good mobile signal for accurate real-time positioning. If you don't know your location, no route can help you get there. The SIM card and data plan we bought were not great; we often lost signal in stations (especially underground), couldn't connect to the internet, which was the main reason we got lost initially.
Second, with that situation, I later discovered that it's better to search for routes on Google Maps where signal is good, then follow the specific entrance/exit numbers in the route plan. Always note numbers like Gate 4 or West Gate. Also note the platform and direction when boarding. That way, even without internet, you won't panic. Major Japanese stations are basically turned into shopping malls, bustling with people and exits everywhere, but their numbering is clear. Following the signs inside the station might be more reliable than relying on a lagging Google Maps.
Third, most stations have ticket vending machines. After making sure you're at the right station (confirm whether it's a subway, train, or bus stop), remember to use the station number instead of the station name when buying tickets. Once we entered the wrong station and couldn't find the route ticket on the machine. Other times we tried to buy a ticket using the station name from a transfer guide app, but even with Chinese station names, the machine wouldn't display them nor allow input. Only later we realized they require inputting station numbers, e.g., Tokyo's private subway Asakusabashi Station is A16 (see photo).
At the departure station, enter your destination station's number, and the machine will tell you the exact fare to pay. Another method: look up at the route map on the wall—under each station name there's a number like 180 or 220, which indicates the fare to that station. Usually the minimum fare is 180 yen, after 3-4 stops it's 220, and further stops cost more. So check the cost to your destination and insert that amount. If your ticket's insufficient, you can use a fare adjustment machine before exiting. Insert your ticket from the start, and it will calculate how much more you need to pay. We mostly took subways in Japan, and only rode a bus once in Kyoto. There the bus fare is paid when alighting: a flat rate of 230 yen per person regardless of distance. They've now replaced the one-day bus pass with a combined bus-subway day pass costing over 1,000 yen, suitable for those taking many rides. We didn't go to that many places, so we didn't buy it.
Fourth, if you buy tickets on the spot like we did, the ticket is very small. When entering, insert it into the ticket slot—it comes out from the other side, now stamped. You must take it and keep it for exiting. At exit, insert the ticket; if the fare is correct, the gate swallows it. If insufficient, it ejects it again, and you need to go to the manual lane or use the fare adjustment machine. Because we bought the wrong ticket once, we got to keep it as a souvenir.
Japan is very safe, with almost no security checks. Subways have no security; major attractions like museums and the Imperial Palace Outer Garden only require a quick glance at your bag by a guard. Buying tickets requires no ID. This at least shows social stability and safety.
Most attractions in Japan are temples, free of charge and open 24 hours. For visiting temples, it's recommended to avoid peak times, such as early morning or evening—you'll get a different experience. The only places where we bought tickets were the Skytree and the National Museum. We wanted to visit the Ghibli Museum but didn't book in advance (it's said to require three days' notice), so we couldn't go. However, the Tokyo National Museum was excellent. An adult ticket costs 1,000 yen for the permanent exhibition, and children of junior high school age can enter free; they only glanced at the passport's birth date and let them in. I think museums are much more worth visiting than Akihabara.
