5 largest airports: Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND), Kansai (KIX), Chubu (NGO), New Chitose (CTS). Each airport has 2-4 different train options in terms of price, speed, and convenience.
1) **Narita Express (N'EX)**: 53-60 minutes to Tokyo Station, ¥3,070 (tourist round-trip ¥5,000). The most convenient option, with WiFi, and ideal for sightseeing. 2) **Keisei Skyliner**: 36 minutes to Ueno (the fastest), ¥2,570. Cheaper than N'EX. 3) **Keisei Access Express**: 55 minutes to Asakusa via Oshiage, just ¥1,270. Standard seats, budget-friendly. The JR Pass covers N'EX — choose N'EX if you have a Pass.
1) **Tokyo Monorail**: 13 minutes to Hamamatsucho, ¥500. Connects to the Yamanote line. 2) **Keikyu Airport Line**: 15-20 minutes to Shinagawa, ¥300. Connects to the Yamanote line and Shinkansen. Both are fast and affordable — choose the route that connects best with your hotel. The JR Pass can be used on the Monorail (it is operated by a JR East subsidiary).
1) **Haruka Limited Express**: 50 minutes to Tennoji/Shin-Osaka/Kyoto. ¥1,800 (ICOCA + Haruka discount: ¥1,600 one way to Shin-Osaka). Covered by the JR Pass. 2) **Nankai Rapi:t**: 34 minutes to Namba (central Osaka), ¥1,450. Does not go to Kyoto. Rapi:t is cheaper if you are staying only around Osaka Namba/Shinsaibashi.
**μ-SKY (Meitetsu)**: 28 minutes to Nagoya Station, ¥1,250 (¥1,660 with seat reservation). JR does not serve Chubu Airport — you must use the private Meitetsu railway.
**JR Rapid Airport**: 37 minutes to Sapporo Station, ¥1,150. Trains depart frequently (every 15 minutes). JR Pass is valid. There is no significantly faster option.
**Fukuoka Subway**: 5 minutes, ¥260. Fukuoka Airport is located within Fukuoka city and is the closest to the city center among Japan’s major airports. There is no need for an express train—the subway is already the best option.
