Buses |
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| 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. |
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| Long Distance
Buses |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| City Buses |
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| All major
cities have extensive intra-city bus routes. For example, in
Kyoto, buses are convenient, easy to use, and have English
announcements. |
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| 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. |
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| The name of the
final destination of each bus is |
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| 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. |
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Trains |
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| The
railway system in Japan has a high reputation for punctuality and
safety. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Most
if not all trains stop operating around midnight. |
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| Japan
Railways (JR) |
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Japan's leading
railway company, Japan Railways (JR), has an elaborate and
well-established system of trains throughout the country. |
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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. |
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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:
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- 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.
- If you don't have a JR Pass, visit
the JR Travel Service Center or one of the major travel
agents
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