# Car-Free Japan Trip Comparison Worksheet

By Yuki Ikegaya · Japan Without a Car · Version 1.0

Copy this worksheet for one short trip. It helps compare options before booking; it is not a verified route or a report of a completed trip.

## Protect the reason for the trip

- The one or two experiences I most want:
- Starting point and final destination:
- Dates and latest acceptable return:
- Luggage:
- Room and transport requirements:
- Optional stops I can drop:

## Compare the same boundaries

| Detail | Option A | Option B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Main transport, including booking fees | | |
| Airport/station access and local transport | | |
| Accommodation and any additional night | | |
| Other costs that differ between options | | |
| Total for the same included items | | |
| Door-to-door departure and arrival | | |
| Transfers and usable time after arrival | | |
| Most fragile connection | | |
| Last practical fallback | | |
| Cancellation/change conditions | | |

Keep meals or attractions outside both totals if they are identical; include them in both if comparing full trip budgets. Do not compare an airfare-only total with an all-in total.

## Fictional example

Option A costs ¥28,000 and requires leaving the starting point at 5:00 a.m. Option B costs ¥33,000 and allows a 7:00 a.m. start. The difference is ¥5,000 for a later departure, assuming the same cost boundaries. These are invented figures, not current fares or bookable offers.

I would choose ______ because ______. I would reconsider if ______.

## Give transfers and luggage explicit steps

For the connection with the biggest consequences:

- Arrival point:
- Walk, platform change, ticket collection, and luggage steps:
- Departure point:
- Margin and why it is sufficient for this connection:
- What I do if I miss it:
- Luggage storage arrangement and confirmation source:

There is no universal safe transfer time. Check the actual stations, services, reservation conditions, and consequences of a missed connection.

## Make a smaller day

- Main experience to keep:
- Stop to drop if tired or delayed:
- Rain alternative:
- Earlier return route:

## Keep a verification log

| Item | Status: idea / checked / booked | Official source | Checked on | Still to confirm |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Transport schedule and last service | | | | |
| Booking method and visitor eligibility | | | | |
| Luggage rules/storage | | | | |
| Accommodation/check-in | | | | |
| Opening hours/reservation | | | | |

Before booking, check current information with the operator or venue, including whether the fare and booking method apply to you. Keep booking references, personal addresses, and private travel dates out of publicly shared copies.

Read more or subscribe: https://yukicarfreejapan.substack.com/

You may adapt this worksheet for your own trips. Please do not resell or redistribute it as a standalone product.