Transportation

One of the great pleasures of living in Japan, especially the Tokyo area, is the clean, efficient and punctual transportation system. The three primary modes of transportation are taxi, bus and train, but many people also have their own vehicles. Once you understand some of the basics for the city’s layout, you will be able to navigate the city easily.
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html

Trains

First Timers

There are many maps available around the city and people are generally helpful with directions, but it is wise to use a website like Jorudan (http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html) to plot your routes before you begin your journey. It incorporates buses, trains, bullet trains and subways when planning the fastest routes to your destination. If you have a ketai denwa (cellular phone), you can use the same sites from any internet-enabled phone.
You can buy your tickets from the electronic ticket machines (jidokenbaiki) with relative ease. They are located just before entering the gates that lead to the train tracks. The machines have an English menu option and will be busy with people you can follow for an example. If you need to adjust your fare, there are machines available for fare adjustments just before the gates exiting the train line.
Remember that the subway and trains stop each night from about midnight to 5 AM the next morning. Times vary depending on the train line, but expect to need to head home significantly before midnight in order to avoid getting stranded.

Commuting

However, day-to-day most of us ride the same route frequently. Buying one of the commuters passes or transit passes may not save you all that much money, but you will save lots of time and convenience. Presently, JR Suica and Tokyo Metro passes must be bought separately, but the two will reportedly combine in 2007. Either one can be bought in varying amounts (usually ￥1000, ￥3000 or ￥5000) and then used in place of having to buy the appropriate ticket each time. JR Suica cards can be reused, while metro cards cannot. It is also possible to purchase a cellular phone that is capable of being used as a train pass (namely phones with Edy, EZweb, FeliCa). Ask the official looking man in uniform at the booth on one end of the ticket gates if you have any problems.

Long Trips

Japan Railways (www.JapanRail.com) has a site that explains the proper procedure for purchasing tickets. Any long trips by train can be planned and tickets purchased at the Midori Madoguchi (literally “Green Window”) located in all major JR train stations. You must go to the Midori Madoguchi to purchase reserved seat tickets. You have the option of dealing with a live person, or an electronic ticket machine. The machine will likely speak English.

Taxis

A taxi can be hailed on the street, the same as in other countries, but taxis tend to be in demand for everyone at the same time. This can happen during a rainstorm or other unpredictable event. In this case, it is best to find a taxi noriba. Most are conveniently located at the train station exits. These Taxi Stations are usually your best bet for hailing a cab, despite the fact that there may be a waiting line.
Most addresses are going to be difficult to find, even with the aide of GPS Navigation since Japanese addresses are based on the chronology of when buildings where built and not actual location. That means that you may be expected to know the directions to your destination. Most business cards and flyers will have a small map of the general area to show how to get there, but if you don’t have any visual aides, be sure to get good directions first.
Also, in regard to taxis, remember to let the driver operate the rear left door. He has a control for it up front and will open it for you when it is safe to exit the vehicle.

Buses

Buses are a cheap alternative to trains. Sometimes they even fill in routes that trains do not. They are free for Japanese senior citizens. As a result, most buses are crammed with elderly. Living in Japan will inevitably require you to ride a bus at some point.
Buses have stations at almost all train stations and along all major roadways. A bus stop is usually marked by a sign and a covered waiting area with the bus number, route and schedule written on it. Sometimes multiple bus lines will come through the same bus stop, so pay attention to what number bus you are taking. Stopping locations are often named after the building they stop at instead of the name of the area, town or city they are in. In Tokyo and some other cities, the buses’ overhead display will show the names of stops in English, but traveling by bus is confusing and difficult.
After your stop has been announced or come up on the overhead display at the front of the bus, you will want to push one of the many buttons located around the passenger area. They should be all over and easily located. You will here a “Bing” sound and the button will light up saying Tomarimasu (“Stop”). Simply get off when the bus driver stops at the next station. When you are safely at the stop, the driver will open the doors.
Similar to train lines, you can by a bus pass that simplifies the payment process when boarding the bus (Some buses instead require you to pay when you exit.). Unlike the train and subway passes, a bus pass saves you money too! A ￥5,000 pass usually is good for close to ￥6,000 worth of rides.
Kosoku buses are highway buses that can be used for long trips. You can save on accommodation fare by riding the overnight bus to your destination. These buses are operated by JR (Japan Railways) and tickets can be purchased at the Midori Madoguchi in any major JR station.

Cars

Cars can add a lot of mobility, even for those living in a crowded city. Public transportation stops around midnight each night with the exception of special holidays, so there is roughly a 5-hour gap of time between last and first trains. This makes a car very desirable, especially for foreigners coming from car-based societies like America, but there are a lot of obstacles that make car ownership inconvenient.

An international driver’s license, provided that it is based on the Geneva Convention of 1949, is only valid for one year in Japan. Then you are expected to get a Japanese driver’s license. Be sure to avoid any driving offenses before you have a Japanese license since it will prevent you from getting one later. If you plan to stay in Japan over the long term and want to be able to drive here, you should probably go for your Japanese license as soon as possible.

The easiest way to get a Japanese license is to transfer from a license in your home country (http://www.koyama.co.jp/e3.htm). Depending on your home country you must have had the license in your for certain period of time to qualify, but the test is less involved and much easier to pass when transferring a foreign license. You will first need to obtain a translation of your driver’s license by contacting your embassy, consulate or the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). Depending on what country you are from, the test will include an eye exam, written test and maybe a driving test. You can find out more at the JAF’s cite, http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/switch.htm.

Taking the test for the Japanese license from the ground up is a complicated process. Many people attend Driving schools, some of which offer English lessons on how to pass the test. The written exams are available in English, but the language used on the exams is almost incomprehensible. It is possible to pass the test on your own, but it is always easier to attend a driving school. That said, driving schools could run anywhere from ￥200,000 to ￥500,000.

Purchasing a car is relatively inexpensive (http://www.carsensor.net/), but to bring in a car from abroad you will need to rely on a used car company (http://www.occidental.co.jp/index.html), which requires a small commission. Insurance is compulsory and is handled by your car dealer, maintenance garage, etc. You may also want to consider an in-car navigation system, available in English (http://www.micklay.com/auto-leasing.html).

Basic advice on how to pass the test is available here http://www.japandriverslicense.com/.

Here are some things you will need before you can drive away:

• Proof of signature – This is a certificate issued by your embassy.
• Foreign Resident Registration Card
• Taxes – You will need to pay an acquisition tax, tonnage tax and automobile tax.
• Shaken – This is an inspection of the car and will likely cost more than ￥100,000+.

Once you have your car, you will need to worry about where to stow it. Space is at a premium in the cities, so expect to pay between ￥10,000 and ￥50,000 per month for a parking space at your building. It will run you from around ￥500 an hour for parking lots in the city. Be aware that maintenance and upkeep are expensive as well, not to mention road tolls.
Check current gas prices at: http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/

Renting:

Renting a car can be a great idea. This is especially true for trips to the country with large groups, such as going to the beach, skiing, hiking, climbing, etc. Do not plan on exploring big cities by car. If you do, not only will you spend all day in traffic, but also you will never be able to access the interesting parts of the city.
In order to rent, you will of course need a license valid for driving in Japan (Japanese or Certified International license). There are a few foreign car rental agencies (Budget, Avis and Hertz), however their prices and services are not competitive. Instead, you will want to use a Japanese car rental agency, preferably one with English support and website like ToCoo (http://www2.tocoo.jp/english/). If you are comfortable with Japanese rental companies, try Japaren, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Ekiren or Orix Rent-A-Car. You can rent vehicles ranging in size from econoboxes (called Kei cars) to RVs.
Expect prices to be from ￥6,000 per day and then ￥1,000 for insurance. Rates are higher during peak seasons (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2273.html) and you will be fined for lateness when returning the vehicle.
Japan has lots of highways and they are easy to use because of their bilingual signs. However, use of these roads is subject to tolls. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2354.html
For more on renting a car in Japan, see http://www.outdoorjapan.com/travel/travel-carrental.html

Trouble:

Foreigners in Japan usually make the same mistakes involving these rules. You should avoid doing the same.

Drive on the left side!

Buckle up! (All occupants of a vehicle must use seatbelts.)

Child seats are necessary for kids 6 and under!

Do not us cellular phones while driving!

Cars must be parked in a valid parking space!

Pay special attention to the last rule in large cities because due to some new laws traffic wardens can have your car towed the second you exit the vehicle in a restricted area. If your car does get towed, you will find a piece of paper taped to the road where you left it. On the paper are the contact details and map for the Police Station. You will need to go there and pay a fine (approx. ￥15,000) and towing fee (approx. ￥12,000) as well as make an apology.
Your car is actually being held in an affiliated car park where you are paying for parking! You will probably need to take a taxi from the Police Station to get there. You will need to show your receipt of payment of the fines from the Police Station to retrieve your vehicle. Expect the whole process will take about 2 hours and ￥30,000.

Bikes

Motorcycles and scooters are everywhere in Japan. Be sure to register with the police station in case your bike gets stolen, it will only cost ￥500. Bike theft is one of the most common crimes in Japan.
For more information, visit your local prefecture’s website. Here is the link for Tokyo http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/index.htm.

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