Japan lags in world's best cities for public transport, according to residents

After living here since 2013, I've become accustomed to a public transport system that makes getting around remarkably easy. I was pretty surprised, then, to see Japan rank lower than I expected in a new list of the world's best cities for public transport...particularly when I think about the state of public transport back in Australia.

According to Time Out's 2026 ranking (which was based on a survey of more than 24,000 residents worldwide), Taipei took first place, followed by Singapore and Hong Kong. Japan's highest-ranked city was Osaka coming in at 13th place, with 81.6% of locals rating its public transport as good or amazing. That's certainly a respectable score and nothing to scoff at, but I expected Japan to rank much higher.

One of the things I appreciate most about living here is the reliability of the trains. Services are generally punctual, stations are well maintained, and even in major cities, the network makes it possible to travel without relying on a car. 

Of course, Japan isn't perfect. Crowded commuter trains can be uncomfy, fares can add up, and services in rural areas are often less frequent. Living in snow country in Niigata has also shown me that local transport can be a very different experience from the extensive networks in Tokyo and Osaka.

Still, having grown up in Australia, I find the contrast striking. Delays, dirty stations and carriages, and limited services can make public transport frustrating, and it was something I often avoided because of safety issues, too. In some areas, driving is practically a necessity.

Perhaps the results reflect how residents judge the systems they use every day, rather than how impressive they appear to visitors. Japan's punctuality and extensive rail network can start to feel ordinary when you experience them regularly.

Even so, I'd love to know what Japanese residents think is missing. If Osaka is only 13th, the cities above it must be doing something very right!