Knowledge

Transportation in Japan

01-Mar-2020

Railways

Railway system in Japan are extremely awesome. They realize accurate operation time, reliable safety, cordial services and so on. So you may mainly use trains to approach mountains.
But for overseas, some systems to take trains in Japan are unique and complicated.
And also, be careful about behaviors in the train! Japanese hate those who can't adhere several manners in the train. I will introduce some manners that you'd better remember. If you master them, you will be admired what well-educated "gaikoku-jin"(overseas) you are!!

Grades of trains

What makes travelers confused is the grade system of trains. Japanese trains are classified according to the required time to destination and the cost to ride.
Japanese railway companies set their own grade systems on the operation. Let's see the typical grades below.

Local(Futsu) train : Stopping at every stations, no additional fare.
Rapid(Kaisoku) train : Passing small stations, no additional fare.
Express(Kyuko) train : Stopping at only important stations, no additional fare.
Limited Express(Tokkyu) train: Stopping at only large stations, sometimes additional fare required (different from each railway companies).

For instance, "Keisei Sky Liner" from Narita Airport is categorized as Limited Express. Though there are 24 stops in this line from central Tokyo to Narita Airport, it is supposed to stop no station. So, you should make sure what kind of trains are supposed to stop at your destination.

How to take trains in Japan?

There are two kinds of tickets to take Japanese trains.
Normal ticket is indispensable when you use any train. Prices are decided by the distance from where you are.
And the additional tickets are what we need to take limited express (Some limited express don't require though.) or green cars (luxury cars). So basically you need only the former one.
You can buy the normal tickets at the ticket dispenser. Buy the ticket according to the train map over the dispensers. And the additional tickets are at the ticket office.

Get Suica or JAPAN RAILWAY PASS

Suica is the IC-card to take trains and buses around Tokyo. If you put money on it, you don't need to buy tickets (automatically calcurated when you go out of the station).
Actually, almost all Japanese use Suica instead of buying tickets. You can get this magic card at the ticket counter of the station.

Those who visit Japan as a temporary visitor can get JAPAN RAILWAY PASS (not for residents). If you plan to buy it, you don't need normal tickets or Suica anymore to take JR-Lines.
Reference: JAPAN RAILWAY PASS

Bus

We often take buses to the trail up point from the nearest station.
Same as trains, the fare is designated by distance. But different from trains, basically, you take the numbered card on board. After your busstop-name is called, push the "get out" button and pay fare to the box next to a driver, which is displayed next to your number.
But in some city areas like Tokyo, only a flat fare is required. And if you have Suica, you can pay through just a touch!! (You can't use it on some buses around rural area.)

Manners in train and bus

You do remember ideal behaviors in Japanese transportation-systems below. Though some crude Japanese don't care about these manners, of course, you should not behave like them.

Don't talk with cellphones.
Don't talk loudly.
Give up your seat for elders.
Wait gently in line in front of the door-indication or a busstop.