By air
Almost all international visitors arrive by air. Japan's main international gateways are:
- Narita (NRT), 65 km northeast of Tokyo. The Narita Express (N'EX) runs to Tokyo Station in about 55 minutes (¥3,070); the cheaper Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in around 40 minutes (¥2,520). Limousine buses serve major hotels across the city.
- Haneda (HND), much closer to central Tokyo — about 30 minutes by rail. Increasingly popular with international carriers; check if your airline flies here as it's more convenient than Narita.
- Kansai International (KIX), serving Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. The Haruka express runs to Kyoto in 75 minutes; Osaka's Namba is just 29 minutes by Nankai Line. Worth choosing if your main destination is the Kansai region.
- Fukuoka (FUK), the main gateway to Kyushu. Well connected internationally, especially to other Asian cities.
- New Chitose (CTS), serving Sapporo and Hokkaido.
Flight times: London to Tokyo around 12 hours nonstop; New York around 14 hours; Los Angeles around 11 hours; Sydney around 10 hours; Singapore around 7 hours.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are the main Japanese carriers. Budget carriers including Jetstar Japan and Peach operate within Asia.
By sea
Ferry services connect Japan with South Korea (Fukuoka–Busan, around 3 hours by high-speed ferry) and with China (Osaka–Shanghai takes about 48 hours). Slow but scenic, and popular with overland travelers completing an Asian loop.
The trans-Siberian route — London to Moscow by rail, then across Russia to Vladivostok, then ferry to Japan — remains a classic long-haul journey for those with time and curiosity. It takes the better part of two weeks from western Europe.
Departure tax
International departure tax is included in the price of most airline tickets.