Japan Transportation System

Buses 

Bus services are operated by numerous bus companies, not only in big cities but also in regional towns. The bus fare varies depending on the bus company but it is usually around 200 yen for an inner-city ride. Long distance buses which link cities are also operated frequently both during the day and at night. This is a more economical way to get about than by plane or by train if you are not pressed for time.

Long Distance Buses

JR operates long-distance buses between Tokyo and other major cities. Though travel takes longer, sometimes due to heavy traffic, fares are cheaper than Shinkansen train fares. Other bus companies provide bus travel between major cities as well. 

Benefits of Night Buses include money saving on a night's accommodation, good riding comfort and economical travel even in daytime on routes good for sightseeing.

Japanese public transport, stores and restaurants are legally forbidden to accept foreign currencies. You do need small amounts of yen currency for immediate needs. If you have foreign bank notes other than U.S. dollars, it is wise to convert some of them in to yen while at the airport. Traveler's Checks can be cashed quickly at banks, but few stores or restaurants accept them. Unused yen (bank notes only; no coins) can be reconverted into foreign currencies at the airport with no limitation, provided the exchange center has sufficient funds for re-conversion.

City Buses 

All major cities have extensive intra-city bus routes. For example, in Kyoto, buses are convenient, easy to use, and have English announcements. 

Your bus ticket is numbered to indicate the fare zone where you boarded. An illustrated sign at the front of the bus shows a changing fare schedule. If your ticket shows the number 3, for example, the fare you pay is indicated under column 3 on the sign. Put the fare in the cash box beside the driver's seat when leaving the bus. In a few instances, a flat fare is charged.

The name of the final destination of each bus is    

written in Japanese above the windshield, but also often includes a route number. Have a hotel clerk write down your destination in Japanese so that bus driver or other people waiting for buses can direct you to the right bus.  

Planes 

International Flights

There is no doubt that the most convenient and quickest way to get to Japan is by airplane. JAL (Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.), ANA (All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.) and JAS (Japan Air System Co., Ltd.) have large well-established networks linking Japan to the major cities of Europe, Asia and U.S.A. Also, leading airline companies of the majority of countries operate airline services destined for major cities in Japan.

Domestic Flights

Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Air System (JAS) and several other air carriers service extensive route networks throughout Japan. Visitors on a tight schedule can choose to fly to and from points not served by Shinkansen super-express trains.

Rental Cars

Because of urban traffic congestion, renting a car for intra-city travel is not recommended.

In Japan, cars travel on the left hand side of the road. Know your route in advance, because road signs may not have alphabet lettering. All expressways are toll roads. Traffic regulations are very strict and orderly. Availability of road atlases in English is limited.

Car rental services are available in most large and medium-sized cities as well as at airports and major train stations. When you apply to rent a car, you will be asked to produce your international driver license. 

If you wish to drive in Japan, you must possess one of the following driving permits.

1. A Japanese Driver's License

2. An International Driver's License (90 member countries) based on the Treaty of Geneva (Convention of 1949)

3. A Driver's License of Switzerland, Germany or France (must inquire about conditions to the institution issuing the driving permit of respective countries)

Ships 

Several steamship companies operate regular services between major Japanese ports and harbor cities of Russia, Korea and China. 

Ferries and high-speed vessels operating to and from Fukuoka and Shimonoseki provide easy access to Korea.

Domestic Routes

Japan has an extensive network of ferryboat routes that link its islands. Popular routes connect Tokyo with northern ports in Hokkaido and with points south as far as Okinawa. Routes through the Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku wind among gem-like islands. Elegant cruise ships set sail for coastal excursions from one domestic port to another.

Subway lines are widely available in all major cities, providing prompt, efficient transportation. Almost all stations have automatic ticket machines from which you can buy your ticket for various destinations.

To use the subway lines, first purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Your ticket is punched by hand at the wicket or inserted in a punching machine. Please keep the ticket, since it must be returned at your destination. 

If there is no fare chart in English, buy the cheapest ticket indicated on the vending machine and pay the difference due at the fare adjustment office at your destination station before you go through the exit wicket. 

All subway lines display station names in both Japanese and alphabet lettering on platform signboards. The name of the station is in large letters in the center of the sign; names of adjacent stations appear below or to either side.

Taxis can be very convenient for intra-city transportation. To flag down a taxi, look for a red light in the lower right corner of the windshield as you face it. Any other color means the taxi is reserved or occupied. Passengers enter the back door on the left side, which the driver opens and closes automatically.  

If possible, have a map showing your destination, as an address is sometimes not enough, given the complicated street layouts in the big cities. Tipping is not practiced so you only need to pay only the metered fare.

Trains   

The railway system in Japan has a high reputation for punctuality and safety.   

The train fare varies naturally depending on the distance you travel as well as the type of train you wish to catch: Limited Express, Express etc. and the type of reserved seat: Green Car (first class), Sleeper etc., for each of which an extra charge is required.  

Tickets for short distances are available from ticket machines that are installed at each train station whereas tickets for long distances and reservations are dealt with at ticket offices at major stations  

To use the train, first purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Your ticket is punched by hand at the wicket or inserted in a punching machine. Please keep the ticket since it must be returned at your destination.  

If there is no fare chart in English, buy the cheapest ticket indicated on the vending machine and pay the difference due at the fare adjustment office at your destination station before you go through the exit wicket.  

Most stations display station names in both Japanese and alphabet lettering on platform signboards. The name of the station is in large letters in the center of the sign; names of adjacent stations appear below or to either side.  

Most if not all trains stop operating around midnight.  

Japan Railways (JR)  

Japan's leading railway company, Japan Railways (JR), has an elaborate and well-established system of trains throughout the country. 

The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the world famous super express train, which fascinates Japanese and foreign visitors alike with its high speed and comfort. It is operated from Tokyo to major cities at intervals of approximately 15 minutes.    

Long-distance trains provide convenient access to all parts of Japan.

To book tickets for long-distance trains follow either one of two different procedures:

If you did not validate your Japan Rail Pass at the airport, or did not make seat reservations at the airport JR Travel Service Center, you can go to the JR Travel Center downtown. The one in Tokyo is located at the Yaesu north-exist concourse of Tokyo Station, and is open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. If you have already validated your pass and need only to make seat reservations, go to any Reservation Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi) counter at major JR stations.

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