While there are transportations for long distance trip, there’s also an available transport for short trips. When you stay along urban area, you have the following choices below:
- Local Trains and Subways
- Public Buses
- Taxis
- Rental cycles
- Local Trains and Subways
In Japan, the local trains and subways are mostly seen at the central areas like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya as well as in other big cities. These are the common means of transportation in the country.
Railways are divided into two transport group, one is JR (Japan Railways group) the other is Private Railway. We can use and pay both through IC-card (Refer to another contents). Both train stations have different entries and locations, so you should confirm again the station name and railway company before you proceed.
About private railways, they are normally operating in specific areas only, so if you want to transfer to another city, better use JR as they covered the transfer all over Japan. About subways, as you know they are running and passing under the ground. If you are a first time-visitor and about to use a subway in Tokyo, you should confirm first the route and station name to google map because the subway looks like a spider thread and there might be a possibility of getting lost your way.
Constant reminder: Get IC-cards as payment for all railways.
2. Buses
There are some public buses with set rules on each respective area. Method of payment also have different system. Apparently, we must pay first in the bus as we get in, or we must get a ticket inside the bus and pay as we get off depending on the distance. Even us Japanese get confused when we are strangers in other places as we ride in public transportation because they have different rules. On the other hand, you can finish all transactions inside the bus.
For everybody’s convenience especially for tourists, we have now IC-cards which can also be used in almost of the buses. If you want to use public bus, you must go to the bus stop and look for the route. There are available timetables for your chosen trip. So, you can confirm beforehand to avoid any difficulties.
About timetable, it is so convenient at urban area, because they provide good services and attended your needs even your destination is far from the station. On the other hand, in rural areas, bus services are significant and useful for senior citizens because they can neither manage, nor capable to go shopping by their own and carry heavy stuff. It is a big help and great advantage for them. If you want to go rural area, using a bus is highly recommended. However, you must be aware of your schedule, because only few units are operational.
３. Taxis
You can see it in every part of the streets because there are many taxi companies at urban area. You can use the taxi depending on your needs, but even natives don’t use them often due to high fare. Even at overseas, riding a taxi is more expensive compared to other transport. All taxis have meters, so if you have sufficient budget, nothing to worry when you can afford to pay. The price is reasonable, because they gave an excellent service, and they value the safety of their passengers. All drivers have a kind attitude, so you will be relaxed and at peace while heading to your destination.
As far as I know, Japan is the only country around the world with an automatic taxi door for getting on and getting off the passengers. You pay only regular rate at all. If you want to experience the one of a kind service, must try here.
Same in other countries, you can get a taxi by just standing beside the street and raise your hand to call the driver’s attention. Some taxis are waiting for customers mostly at stations.
If you are in rural area, you have two options, call through phone or go to the station for a ride.Here, no Grab APPS are available.
Ideally, I recommend taxi for short distance trip only or else you might get surprised about the fare If you use it for long distance.
４. Rental cycles
Few years ago, this service, the rental cycle was introduced here. First, it was mostly found in sightseeing areas. Now, we can see it in the city for general purposes. There are some allocated parking areas on the streets for rental cycles.
If you want to go around the urban area for shopping, touring, dining or eyeing for something, you can use this.
About sightseeing area, some stations have an information counter to offer the services for travelers.
It is easy to search them on your phone. First you find the available services from where you are staying. Then you install the Apps and register with your payment. Normally, credit cards are acceptable. Now, is the time for you to rent an electric bicycle.
/https://docomo-cycle.jp/chiyoda/en/
You can choose many kinds of transportations here. If you have a clear plan and decided where to go to, you can search on your phone.
Ideally, you should consider the means of transportation by getting the train first, after that, for more short distance trips, should choose a bus, then surrounding tool is rental cycle or walking. This is the normal lifestyle and common way of commuting in Japan.
