Google maps is your best friend

We recommend obtaining an IC card (either physical or digital) on arrival to the airport, which will act as a transportation pass as well as a debit card that can be used in many stores.

⭐ For iPhone users, we recommend downloading the Welcome Suica Mobile app (Tips to download app), which you can scan from the phone and add funds through your apple wallet. Registration can be done ONLY in Japan once you land. Make sure to have stable internet connection when loading the card.

You can conveniently scan your phone at the gates.

⭐ For non-iPhone users, we recommend obtaining a Pasmo, Suica, or ICOCA card on arrival at the airport. These will be purchasable at any ticket office, including in airports.

(Alternatively, you can consider obtaining a JR Pass for up to 21 days, which will cover all public transportation costs including trains and shinkansen. This might be a pricier option unless you are traveling across multiple distant cities)

✨ Osaka → Kyoto (around $4 usd)

If you only plan to attend the wedding, the easiest way to get to Kyoto is from Osaka.

If you take the JR Special Rapid (Shin-Osaka station→ Kyoto station) it is only 29 min for 580 yen.

Note that if you are arriving from Kansai International Airport, it will take an additional 1 hour to get into Osaka proper. However, there is the JR Haruka Express train from the airport to Kyoto that takes 1 hour 20 min and costs 3790 yen.

✨ Tokyo station → Kyoto station (around $95)

The official way to book Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen tickets online is through SmartEX (available up to 30 days in advance). 21 days in advance usually gives the most savings at around 25 - 50% off. However, many travelers run into issues registering or paying with credit cards. You must use a Japanese VPN for best results.

Another official option is JR West’s website, which also sells tickets for this route.

You may also purchase shinkansen tickets in person at the train station, but they may be more expensive.

Keep in mind:

❀ You cannot book tickets late at night, since all systems are down for maintenance from about 11:30 pm to 5:00 am (Japan time).

❀ Third-party sites like Klook should be your last choice, as they often charge extra and may limit your options (for example, not letting you choose seats).

Google 地图是最方便的出行工具。

💳 交通卡

建议在到达日本机场后购买或开通 IC 卡（如 Suica、Pasmo、ICOCA）。

🚅 日本铁路通票（JR Pass）

如果会在多个城市间旅行（东京、大阪、京都等），

可以考虑购买 JR Pass（有效期最长 21 天）。

但如果只在关西地区活动，购买普通车票更划算。

✨ 大阪 → 京都（约 580 日元 / 29 分钟）

如果只参加婚礼，建议从 大阪到京都。

乘坐 JR 特快（新大阪站 → 京都站），约 29 分钟即可到达。

如果从 关西机场（KIX） 入境：

先乘电车进大阪，再转特快到京都；

或直接乘 JR Haruka 特急 到京都（约 1 小时 20 分，3790 日元）。

✨ 东京 → 京都（约 14,000 日元 / 2 小时 30 分）

可乘坐 新干线（Shinkansen）。

购票方式

使用 SmartEX 官网（可提前 30 天订票，21 天前预订更优惠）。

或使用 JR West 官网。

也可在日本车站现场购票。

⏰ 注意：每天晚上 23:30–早上 5:00 系统维护，无法订票。

Gifting

Gifts - aka "Feed QQ Fund"