TRAVEL AROUND JAPAN
RAIL PASSES
Some out-of-date guidebooks might recommend a Japan Rail pass for travel around the country. However, prices for the national pass increased by around 60-70% in October 2024. Today it is cheaper, in most cases, for tourists to purchase individual rail fares than to pay the 7-day national rail pass. (If you are a rail enthusiast, who plans to make one or more long-distance journeys by rail every day, the national rail pass might still pay off).
Nonetheless, there are a number of rail passes for regions that can be attractive. A good overview of the gamut of discounts and passes is available here:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html
AIR FARES
Domestic airlines cover the entire country. Purchased 30 or more days in advance, fares are often competitive with rail fares. Airports can be frustratingly far from city centers, but there are usually shuttle bus services to connect airports to their closest cities.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2365.html
JAL and ANA offer discounted fares for tourists. They're slightly more expensive than the cheapest advance fares, but cheaper than last-minute fares. However, only a limited number of seats on each flight is available in these fare classes:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2364.html
HIGHWAY BUSES (LONG DISTANCE BUSES)
Cheap, slow, and with varying degrees of comfort:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2366.html
SPECIAL NEEDS TRAVEL
With disability
Looking for advice for a wheelchair user
Handicapped/ Disabled Looking to live in Tokyo?
With children
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...-children.html