Domestic passenger-distance share in Japan FY 2022, by mode of transport

In the fiscal year 2022, railroad transportation accounted for 74.2 percent of the traffic in terms of payload distance. 

Traveling by train in Japan

Despite a highly developed and efficient public transit system, Japan’s metropolitan railway networks are heavily congested. The busiest train lines are running between central Tokyo and suburban areas of neighboring prefectures. Many urban expressways are similarly overloaded.

Leaving the islands

Since Japan is an archipelago, railway transportation is limited to domestic travel. The most common way for international passenger transportation is via aviation. The country’s international hub is Narita International Airport, while Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport, served primarily domestic flights until its extension to three terminals in 2014. Tokyo International Airport is one of the busiest airports worldwide.