Transportation:Train,Buses, Taxis and Domestic flights
Types of Train in Japan
JR Rail Services
Japan Railways (JR) operates several different kinds of passenger trains. These are listed below, beginning with the fastest.
Shinkansen
(Super Express)
There are several types of Shinkansen or eBullet Trainf. The fastest is the eNozomif, which travels at speeds of up to 270 km (168 miles) per hour.
There are five Shinkansen lines in Japan. These are as follows: The Tokkaido-Sanyo Line - connects Tokyo with Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima before terminating at Fukuoka (northern Kyushu). The Tohoku-Akita Line - connects Tokyo with Sendai, Morioka and Akita (northern Honshu). The Tohoku-Yamagata Line - connects Tokyo with Yonezawa and Yamagata. The Joetsu Line - connects Tokyo with the ski resort area of Echigo Yuzawa before terminating at Niigata on the Japan Sea coast. The Hokuriku Line - connects Tokyo with the highland resort area of Karuizawa before terminating at Nagano in the Japan Alps region.
Tokkyu
(Limited Express)
Branching off the main Shinkansen network, Limited Express trains make a small number of stops at major stations.
Kyuko
(Express)
Express Trains stop at larger stations. Stops are more frequent than on Limited Express trains.
Kaisoku
(Rapid Train)
Rapid trains make frequent stops at smaller stations.
Futsu
(Local Train)
Local trains stop at all stations on routes that are generally limited to distances of 100km or less.
In addition to the Japan Railways network, there are a number of smaller private railway lines, which can usually be found in major cities and their surrounds. These regional railway systems generally cover shorter distances and include local commuter services and connections from cities to nearby resort areas.
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Japan Rail pass
Japan By Rail
Not able to be purchased inside of Japan, so must be purchased overseas and be reserved within 3 months of intended use.
Click here to find out more about the range of Rail Passes that are available for Japan covering specific regions or the whole country
- Valid for all JR Group local & regional trains except the ‘Nozomi’ (the fastest shinkansen bullet train).
- JR run local and highway bus services
- Miyajima to Miyajimaguchi ferry (Hiroshima Prefecture)
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To qualify for this, before coming to Japan, you must show you will be a temporary visitor to Japan. Show passport.
Before travelling, buy an exchange order at a JR licensed travel agent and exchange this for your pass at any JR exchange office in Japan, including at Narita International Airport.
Prices in Japanese yen.
The pass also entitles the bearer to a 10% discount on JR Group hotels.
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The Seishun Juhachi Kippu (Youth 18 Ticket : Money saving ticket aaafor everyone)
I'd like to let you in on one of Japan's best kept travel secrets - the Seishun Juhachi Kippu.
This literally translates as "Youth 18 Ticket" but there are no age restrictions on its use. It is perhaps the most interesting and certainly the best value way to travel on Japan's extensive rail network. Here's the deal.
For 11,500 yen you get a ticket entitling you to 5 days of unlimited travel on all JR services including night trains but excluding limited express and Shinkansen services. That's five separate 24-hour periods of travel on all local trains throughout Japan.
You don't have to book when you want to travel, you just have to turn up to any JR station and get your ticket stamped with the date at the barrier. If there is more than one of you travelling, you can use one ticket as long as there are enough unused portions of the ticket remaining. Thus, on one ticket, one person can travel for five days and 2 people could five travel for 2 days with one day left over. You can buy the Seishun Juhachi Kippu at any JR station. The major disadvantage is that this ticket is only valid during certain times of the year as shown below.
To plan your trip call the superb JR East Infoline (03 0423 0111). They have all the timetables at their fingertips and speak excellent English. They will be able to give you a number of alternatives to help you minimise your transfer time.
Of course, tourists are also eligible for the Japan Rail Pass which already entitles you to unrestricted use of all JR services including the Shinkansen. The catch is that a 7-day pass it is more than twice the price, making a Seishun Juhachi Kippu an option well worth considering for the budget traveller.
Why it's worth using the Seishun Juhachi Kippu
Apart from saving you money on your transportation costs, there are other good reasons to travel with the Seishun Juhachi Kippu.
- You tend to meet more people, mainly Japanese students and foreign residents of Japan, doing exactly the same as you. This is especially true if you stay at youth hostels along the way.
- It encourages you to be more adventurous when planning your itinerary. Since you can't use the Shinkansen, it is as easy to get to Kanazawa as it is to Kyoto, thereby giving you the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten track.
- Slow can be interesting! Many local trains take scenic routes through the countryside and along the coast. From Tokyo to Osaka, local trains give you a lot longer to see Mt. Fuji than the Shinkansen!
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Subway/Train/Bus Pre-Paid Cards
To save you time and the hassle of trying to work out the cost of fares, fumbling with unfamiliar coins and lining up at crowded ticket vending machines, travelers are strongly advised to buy a pre-paid pass for trains and subways in major Japanese cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
Suica
The Suica is an acronym for "Super Urban Intelligent Card", a rechargeable smart card that can be used on most JR lines nationwide and on all subway lines and buses in the Tokyo metropolitan region. It is issued in East Japan (i.e. the Kanto region) but is interoperable with the Icoca card (see below) issued in West Japan (the Kansai region).
Suica is available in three forms:
-the basic Suica, able to be used by multiple users
-the registered Suica, able to be used only by the person it is registered to - with the ensuing benefit of the remaining balance being refundable if lost.
-the commuter pass Suica, able to take advantage of cheaper regular discounted monthly fares, but able to be used to travel freely as well.
Suica is also an electronic money card and can be used to pay for goods in a growing number of stores.
Pasmo
A rechargeable smart card able to be used on all train and bus transport in the Tokyo metropolitan region. It superseded the subway-only Passnet card in March 2007.
The varieties of Pasmo card are basically the same as the Suica card (see above), but with one extra feature: it is possible to subscribe to an automatic top-up service whereby the card is topped up by 3,000 yen from the user's credit card whenever the charge remaining drops below 2,000 yen.
For the traveler to Japan, unless you are staying solely in Tokyo, the Suica card, able to be used nationwide as well as throughout Tokyo, is the better option. Also, buying a Suica card at Narita airport gets you a cheaper ride on the Narita Express.
Like Suica, Pasmo is also able to be used as electronic money. Usable in stores that accept Suica.
(NB. JR Rail passes are valid on the Tokyo Yamanote loop line, but not on any subway lines).
Osaka (Kansai)
Icoca
The Icoca card is an IC smart card used on the JR West network in western Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, etc.). It is interoperable with the Suica card (see above) and can therefore be used on the JR East system in Tokyo and in Sendai. Back in Kansai, the card is also good on all private railways - Hankyu, Keihan, Kintetsu, etc. - as well as the Osaka subway system.
The literal meaning of Icoca is "IC Operating CArd," but in Japanese iko-ka means "Shall we go?" When you enter or exit a station, you just pass the card close to the reader; it is not necessary to touch it.
The Icoca card can be purchased at all JR stations where the card is in use. A card costs 2,000 yen and requires a refundable 500 yen deposit. You can purchase a commuter pass for a predetermined amount of time, or pay as you go (i.e., add, say, 10,000 yen to the card and then use it until that amount is gone-- and then recharge). Many stations now have small, convenient recharging machines.
In addition to a children's Icoca (for children in elementary school), there is also a Smart Icoca, which allows you to charge travel, etc., to a credit card.
Icoca is also an electronic money card and can be used to pay for goods in many convenience stores and from vending machines.
Kaisu Card
Pay ¥3000 yen for a pre-paid card, which allows you ¥3300 worth of journeys on Osaka’s subways, buses and NewTram lines. If in doubt, ask at the ticket wicket for help in purchasing your travel card.
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Taxis in Japan
Taxis are everywhere in Japan and can be flagged down from anywhere. However, they are not cheap. Fares vary little throughout the country, though Tokyo is the most expensive. Flag fall is 660 yen for the first 2km in Tokyo (or there are special 330 yen taxis for journeys under 1km). After that it is around 100 yen for every 350m.
Unless there are more than two passengers, use only the back doors. Do not attempt to open the doors yourself. Back doors are opened and closed automatically. Tipping is not expected. Most drivers do not speak English, so you should carry the name and address of your hotel or other destination.
Taxi drivers, especially in Tokyo, do not know where everything is. If at all possible, acquire a map to your destination beforehand. Insist on showing it to the driver if s/he shows any uncertainly. Don't allow any guessing. Remember that a wild goose chase is in the driver's pecuniary interest!
Order a Taxi in English
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Buses in Japan
Buses provide cheap and convenient ways to travel in any cities or towns in Japan. The network of local bus lines is well established, efficiently covers a large area, and provides more destinations than the local train or subway networks; consequently, buses are primary means of transportations in most cities especially in smaller cities and towns. Getting around by buses can be very tough for non-Japanese speaking travelers since English displays and announcements may not be available except in major touristy areas or big cities. Long distance bus services are available between major cities, and the JR Highway Bus Network provides the services between Tokyo and other cities. Taking a long distance bus can be cheaper than taking a bullet train, yet provides a comfortable ride.
Highway bus routes
Highway bus network is linking a number of cities in all over Japan. One or more companies provide the services in each city or prefecture and many of those bus services are operated at night.
Seat Reservations
Most highway buses require seat reservations that can be made through the bus companies or travel agencies. You can also make a reservation by phone or online but these services are usually provided only in Japanese. As long as there are seats available on the bus, a seat reservation can even be made just before departure; however, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance to secure a seat, especially on weekends and holidays. For JR buses, seats can be reserved at the ticket counters located inside the JR railway stations.
Local Buses
Local bus services provide an efficient way of transportation to get around in smaller cities and towns where no local trains or subways are available. In some big cities, local buses may not be preferable public transportation compared to local train and subway lines due to a possible traffic jam.
Getting around by buses may not be easy for non-Japanese speaking travelers since most of the information and announcements are not usually available in English. How to take a bus varies according to the bus company; however, a general way of taking a bus is described below:
1. Get on the bus from the rear door unless the rear door is not available.
2. Take a small rectangular ticket from a small machine installed by the door and make sure to keep the ticket. The ticket should have a number printed on to indicate where you got on the bus.
3. Electric display boards should be found by the driver's seat show the next stop and the bus fares. Your can find your fare on the display boards by using the number printed on your ticket.
4. Press a buzzer on the wall to get off at the next stop.
5. You need to have exact change ready. A change machine is available by the driver's seat if you do no have exact change.
6. The exact change and the ticket need to be put into the designated box by the driver as you get off.
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