Japanese transport ABC

By Michelle Feilen Rigol

5th dan

Aiki Feilen

Barcelona, Spain

Transportation in Japan is probably one of the most expensive things you will find there. If you want to move by train in Japan, you must get your JR railpass before travelling into the country because it’s impossible to buy it there.

You should always carry the address of your hotel on you, just in case you get lost and you need to ask for help. As well, it’s recommended that you bring the address of any place you want to go, if possible.

In the Street:

• They drive on the left side of the road.
• Bicycles have preference over pedestrians and there aren’t any bike lanes. Therefore, watch out for any bell ringing.
• It’s forbidden to smoke on the streets. There are special areas designed for this.
• There aren’t any trash bins. Generally, people bring a little plastic bag with them, and so they can keep whatever they want to throw away until they get home. If you want to throw something and you haven’t got a plastic bag, look for a kind of 7/11 store.
• Walking from one touristic spot to another can be an impossible mission. It’s really really difficult to follow the names and numbers in the street. So I recommend to move around using the subway, and once you’re out of the station, look for a reference, a building or other spot, in order to not get lost and find the way back.

Subway

• It’s the best and easiest mean of transport for the newbie in Tokio.
• Keep your ticket because it is needed to get out of the station.
• The price depends on the number of stations you’re going to travel. Therefore, plan ahead how many stations you’re going to cover, and then go to the machine.
• If you change your mind during the trip, before the exit, you can find machines called ‘Fair Adjustment’. Simply, put the ticket in, put the money required, and you’ll get a new one.
• If you’re using the JR railpass (different to the subway) to move in Tokio, show the pass at the entrance and exit.
• The JR lines offer you an alternative way to move around the city. Plan ahead the places you want to visit in order to choose the best transport option for your budget.

Trains

• The JR rail pass allows you to get on any train, long and short distance, all over the country and it even includes a few ferries. The only train not included is the Nozomi superfast train.
• All the train schedules are very reliable.
• Keep quiet in the trains.
• Some trains require a reservation. Make sure you get your ticket reservation a few days in advance at the JR offices. You can find them in the main stations.

Taxi

• They have automatic doors; so don’t try to close them because you can force the system.
• Always carry a card with the address you want to go to written on it.
• Taxis are ok for short distance trips. They can be really expensive if not.