Japan's transport infrastructure is considered one of the best in the world. It covers all types of passenger and freight traffic. Municipal carriers daily serve thousands of flows of citizens and tourists. In any large village of the country, several types of public transport operate at once.
Metro
Most of the subway routes in Japan are laid above the ground. His system is complex and confusing. The largest networks with an abundance of branches are located in Tokyo and Osaka. The principles of their functioning are similar. In the morning and evening hours, Japan's underground transport is overloaded. Despite the crush in cars, the metro is recognized as the most affordable and reliable way to travel in a metropolis.
The relatively high cost of the ticket is justified by the absence of traffic jams. It is worth considering the ramified system of stations. Metro is the best way to get from one end of the city to the other. Instead of the usual interchange nodes, the country has implemented special hubs that simultaneously use various types of transport in Japan. At such stations, leaving the subway car, you can transfer to the train or bus.
Travel documents must be purchased at terminals and ticket offices that operate in the lobby. The average cost of a trip by subway is 120 rubles. All information plates are duplicated in English. Entrance to the subway is blocked by ordinary turnstiles. To leave the lobby at the desired station, you will need to present a ticket.
Municipal communication
Land transport in Japan is represented by regular buses. In small cities of the country they replace the metro. True, their routes are no less complicated. This is due to the fact that several operators are responsible for the transportation of passengers at once. The confusion arises from the fact that traveling on the same route can cost differently.
The bus logo is marked with the logo of the service company. Each vehicle is colored in the color of the line on which its route is located. The number and exact name of the end stations are indicated on the plate mounted on the windshield. Buses do not travel long distances in Tokyo. The length of their journey is limited to metro stations. The cost of a ticket in land transport in Japan is approximately 100 rubles.
In the settlements of the country where there is no subway, the movement of buses is regulated by zones. This division determines the cost of the trip. Up-to-date information about the movement of vehicles and the location map can be found on the information stands of the stops. During peak hours in Tokyo, buses travel very slowly. They are used to overcome short distances.
The movement starts at 07:00, and ends at 22:00. The names of the stops are in Japanese and translated into English. According to the rules, passengers enter the passenger compartment through the front door. In its opening is a turnstile. If there is no ticket, then the pass can be purchased from the driver. However, no additional trade and service fees are provided. Ticket price is the same as in the terminal.
With the wind!
A taxi driver stands out from other vehicles in Japan. He wears a formal business suit. Be sure to wear a ironed shirt. He holds flawlessly white gloves. The look complements the tie. The driver’s shoes are always in perfect condition. Foreign tourists, who first used the services of a taxi, are surprised by the abundance of lace with which car interiors are decorated.
Headrests, armrests, and even seats are covered with openwork capes. Independently open the car door will not work. This is a driver privilege. Therefore, you need to wait a bit until the lock is unlocked.
Japan's public transport regulations are very different from European regulations. The green icon on the windshield of the car means that the taxi is busy. Red indicates that the driver is free. Special areas for boarding a taxi are equipped in the largest areas of Tokyo and other megacities. In the province, cars are caught right on the roadway.
Despite the comfort, taxis are still inferior in popularity to the Japanese subway. Cars often get stuck in traffic jams. Sometimes the number of passengers waiting exceeds the number of available vehicles. In these cases, queues accumulate in parking lots.
There is an alternative!
Monorail is another popular form of transport in the country. Japan's single-rail railroads enveloped most of the settlements. They are in Okinawa. In the capital, this type of transport is represented by fully automated trains that are controlled by intelligent systems. They do not have drivers or stewards. This type of transport is considered one of the safest.
Despite being similar to the subway, in Japan the monorail is a completely independent transport complex. Tickets are sold at robotic terminals and ticket offices focused on landing platforms. Tourists at the entrance to the car tend to take first place. Futuristic views open from the panoramic windows of the cabin. The most popular excursion route runs through Tokyo Bay and leads to Odaiba Island, a land plot created by human hands.
Classics of the genre
Trams in Japan are considered exotic. They can be counted on the fingers. One branch operates in Tokyo. Others serve the suburbs of the country's megacities. They are designed for curious tourists. They have low speed, but trams do not stand in traffic jams. In Japan, trolleybuses have also been preserved.
Unlike Russian models, Japanese ply underground. They follow to the top of the Tate mountain peak. They are used to serve tourist groups. These are modern and comfortable cars that are worthy of environmentally friendly transport. Japanese trolleybuses move in a tunnel resembling a subway.
Railways
The trains that service the suburbs of megacities account for the main passenger flow. Long-distance trains are also popular. They are preferred by airplanes. The railway system in Japan is surprising in its simplicity and straightforwardness. The following types of trains are distinguished:
- Shinkansen
- express trains;
- electric trains.
The Shinkansens can be compared to the Russian Sapsans. This is a convenient and quick way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto and other cities of the country. The train network covers the entire territory of Japan. The maximum speed of trains reaches 300 kilometers per hour. They do not slow down on intermediate platforms.
Mizuho and Nadzomi trains run from one point to another with virtually no stops. Similar compositions "Sakura" and "Hikari" serve the stop stations, so the cost of a trip to them is much cheaper. Plus there is a single travel card. The express fares are even lower and the number of stops is greater. Long distance trains are used by the Japanese and visitors.
Electric trains follow more slowly. They consist of several comfortable wagons. The difference between the housekeeper and the first class is insignificant. It is expressed in the distance between the rows of seats and in an expanded set of options.
Buying tickets
The cost of travel by train in Japan consists of two parameters. Distance affects the price, the composition category is also important. The trip from Osaka to Tokyo by express will cost 12,000 rubles. The route from the capital to Sapporo, which is 830 kilometers long, is estimated at 20,000 rubles. The most sought-after type of train ticket used by rail in Japan is the JR Pass card.
Each subscription has a validity period and an unlimited number of trips. Green cards imply first-class travel. All others are designed for thrifty passengers. Children also need to purchase a card. Special subscriptions have been developed for them. Students over 11 years old need to buy a regular ticket. Tourists need to remember that the subscription is personalized. It is drawn up on the website of the transport company, and then the coupon printed on the printer is exchanged at any JR office.
The ticket can be issued for seven days, two weeks or 21 days. The cheapest one will cost about 35,000 rubles, the most expensive one costs almost 80,000 rubles. This subscription allows you to use the services of all express trains except Mizuho and Nadzomi. Plus, it is accepted on ferries calling at the port of Miyajima, as well as on electric trains going to Narita Airport.
A worthy alternative to JR is Seishun 18. This subscription is not registered. It’s not always possible to issue it. It is valid only during vacation periods that occur in March, April, July, August and September, December and January. The validity period of Seishun 18 is exactly five days. It is accepted on all express trains except Shinkansen. The ticket price is 12,000 rubles. You can buy a subscription at the terminals and ticket offices of train stations.
The standard fare for a trip between Nikko and the Japanese capital is 1,300 rubles, between Yokohama and Tokyo is 500 rubles. To get from Kamakura to Tokyo you need to pay 900 rubles. The journey from Osaka to Kyoto will cost 500 rubles.
In Japan, there are several more passenger programs. In the list of the most popular "Kansai", "Sanyo", "Kuishu", "Hokkaido". Discounts are provided not only to children under 12 years of age, but also to pensioners and students upon presentation of the relevant documents. The average train speed in Japan is 200 kilometers per hour.
Aircraft
Aircraft in the country operate local and international flights. The largest airports in Japan are in Tokyo and Osaka. Seventeen years ago, the state controlled the cost of air transportation. In 2000, private air carriers received the right to set tariffs. In most cases, all fees are included in the ticket price. Local flights are operated by JAS, ANA and JAL.
The main contingent of local flights is businessmen, travel time for which is a priority. The cost of traveling by plane in Japan is only ten percent more expensive than the price of train tickets. The government is actively involved in the development of transport infrastructure. The area of existing airports is increasing, new terminals are being commissioned. The checkpoints of the country's leading air hubs are being modernized. Reconstruction of the complex in Narita is planned.
Maritime traffic
Traveling by water is an option for leisurely tourists. The shipping system serves all the islands of the state. From Kobe (Japan) you can get to almost anywhere in the country. The most common type of marine vessels are ferries. They ply not only between remote land areas, but also depart from Tokyo to Osaka and other coastal settlements.
According to statistics, in Japan there are about 6,900 islands. Kyushu and Hokkaido are considered the main sea gates. The latter is a port city. Where ferries cannot pass, bridges, tunnels and crossings have been built.
Passenger and cargo ships serve not only local destinations, but also international ones. They go to Russian cities, provide sea links with South Korea, Taiwan and China. There are four classes of ferries:
- special;
- first;
- the second with a bed;
- the second without a berth.
In the first case, the passenger pays for the trip in a cabin with one or two beds. Sailing in the first class, he has the right to count on a common room, which has several beds, but no more than four. Second-class travelers are accommodated in dormitories with fourteen beds. When choosing the cheapest sea transport ticket in Japan, a tatami cabin is provided. Room category selection service is available only to those buyers who travel long distances.
Tickets for passenger ships are purchased at carriers' offices, at berths and at travel agencies. From Osaka to Beppu can be reached for 3,500 rubles. A ferry ticket from Tokyo to Tokushima will cost 4,000 rubles. The cost of the trip depends on the distance and the selected category. A trip from Kobe (Japan) to Kitaksu costs only 2,500 rubles. Travel time is twelve hours.
Hanku Ferry, Ferry Sunflower, Tokyo Ferry are recognized as the largest ferry operators in the country. From Japan to Vladivostok the ship "Eastern Dream" cruises. It makes a stop at the port of South Korea, which lasts nine hours. The final destination is Sakaiminato, located in the province of Tottori.
Car rent
For those who are used to traveling around the country on their own, Japan has car rental locations. Any driver who presents an international certificate can get a car. You will also need to get an insurance policy with a local company. The main disadvantages of the rental service are the high cost and complexity of the registration procedure.