Japan
has one of the world's most highly developed transportation systems.
The rail service alone covers almost all possible destinations. In addition,
there is a national highway system, and a well developed domestic air
service. Buses and taxis provide connections around the clock in the
cities, while ferry boats link Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe with the main ports
on Hokkaido and Kyushu.
In addition, Japan offers comprehensive international air service through
its four airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Japan Air System
and Japan Asia Airways, as well as a host of foreign- based carriers
which fly to all corners of the globe.
Railways
Railways in Japan include Japan Railways (JR), a group of six railway
companies covering the entire country, plus a variety of companies which
operate in many of the larger cities. JR especially is renowned for
its extreme punctuality, with the heavily traveled trains on its Tokyo
commuter lines making stops at stations at 1.5-minute intervals during
peak periods.
And of course its Shinkansen, or "Bullet Trains," provide
ultrafast and highly reliable rail links for almost all the length and
breadth of Japan. The network consists of the Tokaido Line, the Sanyo
Line, the Tohoku Line, the Nagano Line, the Akita Line, the Yamagata
Line and the Joetsu Line.
JR's long-distance services include super express, limited express,
express, berth and reserved seat, with charges varying according to
distance and type of service. Within cities, buy tickets for local lines
at the vending machines at each station, and approach the "green-striped"
windows ("Midori-no- madoguchi") for tickets of different
classes, as well as for long-distance travel.
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Shinkansen
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Japan Rail (JR) Pass
For the visitors, JR's Japan Rail Pass offers excellent value
and convenience. The Rail Pass is available only to sightseeing
visitors and must be bought outside of Japan. It gives the bearer
unlimited travel on JR lines and affiliated buses and ferries.
(The Pass cannot be used on the new super express Nozomi.)
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Additional Benefit of Japan Rail Pass
For those who possess a Japan Rail Pass, JR offers a special discount
rate at JR Group Hotels. If you show your Japan Rail Pass at check-in,
you will receive a rate discount of about 10%.
Regional Japan Rail Passes
For the regional travelers, the following JR Passes offer reasonable
prices and convenience; JR EAST PASS for northeastern Japan from Tokyo
except the island of Hokkaido, JR-WEST RAIL PASS for western Japan from
Kansai International Airport and JR-KYUSHU RAIL PASS for all of Kyushu
Island. They also offer additional incentives to the respective purchaser.
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Kansai International Airport
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Domestic Airlines
With some 90 airports serving domestic and overseas flights, Japan
is highly convenient for the air traveler.
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Intra-city Transportation
Subway lines are available in all major cities, and provide prompt,
efficient transportation. JR's Yamanote-sen loop line in Tokyo and its
Osaka- Kanjo-sen loop line both circle the centers of their respective
cities. In Tokyo, JR rates start from ¥130, subway fares at ¥160
for the Eidan(TRT A) and Toei(Metropolitan) lines, and both increase
with the distance traveled.
Almost all stations have vending machines for tickets and automatic
ticket-checking machines at their entrance/exit gates.
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Narita Express "NEX"
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JR Kyoto Station
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Bus service is
available in all cities, but can sometimes be a bit difficult for non-Japanese
speaking visitors to use.
Taxis,
on the other hand, are also widely available and can usually deliver
customers to addresses written in Japanese or on business cards. If
the red light in the lower left corner of the windshield is lit, then
the cab is free and it can be flagged down. Be careful when approaching
a taxi's left rear door: it is opened and closed automatically from
within by the driver.
Car Rental services are available in most large
and medium-sized cities as well as at airports and major train stations,
with international driver's licenses recognized.
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