By air: Domestic air travel in Japan has historically been highly regulated. From 1972, the three major domestic airlines (JAL, ANA, and JAS) were allocated certain routes, with JAL and ANA sharing trunk routes, and ANA and JAS sharing local feeder routes. Fares can be set by carriers, but the government retains the ability to veto fares that are impermissibly high. Many airports are less busy than 'wildly overoptimistic’ initial forecasts

By rail: Japan’s train network is extensive and known for its punctuality and safety. Some 250 high speed Shinkansen trains connect major cities. Railways are a major means of passenger transportation, especially for mass and high-speed transport between major cities and for commuter transport in metropolitan areas. Seven Japan Railways Group companies, once state-owned until 1987, cover most parts of Japan. There also are railway services operated by private rail companies, regional governments, and companies funded by both regional governments and private companies. Five stations (Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station, Shibuya Station, Umeda Station, and Yokohama Station) serve more than 2 million passengers each on an average day, making Japan the most railway using nation per capita.

By road: Traffic drives on the left. Japan has 1,152,207 km of highways with 863,003 km paved and 289,204 km of unpaved ways. A single network of high-speed, divided, limited-access toll roads connects major cities on Honshū, Shikoku and Kyūshū. Hokkaidō has a separate network, and Okinawa Island has a highway of this type. In the year 2005, the toll collecting companies, formerly Japan Highway Public Corporation, have been transformed into private companies in public ownership, and there are plans to sell parts of them. The aim of this policy is to encourage competition and decrease tolls.

Buses: Bus companies, including the JR Bus companies, operate long-distance bus service on the nation's expanding expressway network. In addition to relatively low fares and deluxe seating, the buses are well utilized because they continue service during the night, when air and train service is limited.

Car-hire: Renting a car is an option worth considering if you plan to explore rural Japan, where access by public transportation can be inconvenient and infrequent. A rental car can also be an economical alternative, if traveling in groups.

Exploring Japan's big cities by car, however, is not recommended, as traffic tends to be heavy, orientation unfriendly and parking fees high. Trains, subways and buses are generally a better choice in metropolitan areas.

A recommended service for car rental in Japan is ToCoo. The discount travel service does not only offer lower rates on car rental, but also provides an English website and support in English.

Public Transport : Japan has an efficient public transportation network, especially within metropolitan areas and between the large cities. Japanese public transportation is characterized by its punctuality, its superb service, and the large crowds of people using it. Trains are the most recommended way to commute in Japan, alongside buses and bicycles.

Some recommended dishes:

• Donburi (cooked rice with beef/chicken/tempura etc.)
• Sushi (rice prepared with sushi vinegar wrapped with different ingredients)
• Udon (thick Japanese noodles)
• Mochi (steamed sweet rice pounded into a solid, sticky and somewhat translucent mass)
• Takoyaki balls (Japanese fried/grilled octopus meatballs)

• Fuji/ Izu National Park
• Disneyland
• Imperial Palace
• Tsukiji Fish Market
• Kyoto National Museum
• Osaka Castle
• Ginza
• Shinjuku
• Asakusa Sensoji Temple
• Daisetsuzan National Park

• Japan embassy
• Tourist guide
• Lonely Planet Japan