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Transportation, Bikes, Cars in Japan
Take a train!
In the big cities
In the big cities you can always count on the subway or train. The trains are on time and very frequent.English Signs
English signs are everywhere and there are English train guides and time tables available from the station masters. You should have no problems getting around by train.
Take a taxi
There are several different taxi services in Japan
All taxis must use the meter by law. The basic taxi fee is on average 500 yen. This will take you about 5 minutes down the road then the taxi fee goes up at varying rates depending on the company.The Rate
The rate is written on the passenger side window. Also, the back passenger door opens and closes automatically. You won't be doing the driver any favors if you try to close this door!
Ride your bike
Basket Bikes
Japan is famous for old bikes with baskets at the front and noisy, ineffective brakes!! Get a mountain bike and ride around town but make sure you lock it up with a formidable lock and preferably to a post - its not unusual for bikes to be hauled off by criminals or someone who just missed their last train!
Helmets
Helmets are not compulsory like in some countries but be careful on the narrow streets anyway. Register your bike with the police (registration fee about 500 yen) to make it easier to trace your bike if it is stolen.
Ride your motorbike
Fast
A motorbike or scooter will get you to where you want to be fast and you can slip past the traffic jams like a champion.Don't Pay for Parking
The best thing about motorbikes is that you don't have to pay for parking - and that can become expensive.Drive your car
Japan: Home to Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan...
You can get yourself a reliable Japanese car at a good price. Getting around town can be quite frustrating though, so be prepared for traffic jams, road works, one way roads, narrow streets and lots of traffic lights.
The Down Side
The down side is that a car park space at your apartment could cost you between 10,000 yen to 50,000 yen/month and in the cities you'll pay on average 250 yen for 30minutes. The up side is that you'll enjoy your own space and be able to go driving in the country or mountain areas where access is limited.
Do I have to get a Japanese license to drive in Japan?
After one year of driving in Japan you are supposed to get a Japanese license. If you stay in Japan with an international driver's license for more than a year and don't leave Japan in that year you are driving illegally. Even if you renewed your license by mail, you still have to leave the country within a year to keep it valid. Be careful!
What road taxes and insurance should I know about when buying a car?
When you buy a car you'll need the following things:
- A place to park your car. (This certificate is issued by a police superintendent providing evidence that a parking space has been secured.)
- Compulsory insurance: Application and processing is handled by car dealers, maintenance garages and other casualty insurance agents.
- Proof of your signature - certificate issued by your embassy.
- Foreign resident registration card.
- Paid taxes: You must pay acquisition tax, tonnage tax and automobile tax.
- Shaken: This is the inspection of the car and will cost about 100,000+ yen.
What are the road rules?
The basics are as follows:
- Drive on the left side.
- Buckle up! (Drivers and front seat passengers are required to fasten their seatbelts.)
- Child Seats for kids under six years of age.
- You must not drive while using a cellular phone.
- Don't drink and drive! (Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.)
- Cars must be parked in a parking space. If you park your car on the street, it may be towed away if it is in violation of the parking law.
How much does it cost to maintain a car in Japan?
Lots of money! Although cars are often "given" away you may still have to add about 200,000 yen to handle taxes; inspections; and insurance. Add to this your yearly parking fee for your own apartment which if you're lucky will be 120,000 yen but x2 or x3 or even x4 of this amount is not surprising. Other big expenses are gas (100 yen/liter) and toll fees on highways (surprisingly expensive).
What happens when my car gets towed away?
There should be a piece of paper taped to the pavement where your car was parked. There will be contact details and a map to the police station. But this is not where your car is! The towing company has parked it in an affiliated car park where you are currently now paying for parking! This car park is usually about a taxi ride from the police station.
So you go to the police station. Show your ID including Driver's license and Alien registration card. First they'll want you to admit that you were wrong and that you are terribly sorry! Then you'll have to pay the fine which will cost you about 15,000 yen. And then there's the towing fee which is about 12,000 yen.
After this you'll take the receipt of payment to the car park where you are currently paying for parking! The whole experience will cost you about 2 hours and 30,000 yen. Ouch!
How do I send a car overseas?
Best thing to do is get a used car company to do it for you! They'll take a small commission but it's worth it. If you do it by yourself you have to battle through a mountain of paper work and insurance and lots of headaches. The used car companies have the infrastructure to deal with the whole process.
Public Transportation, Bikes, Cars, etc. in Japan: Other Sources
Forums
Questions/comments? Go to the Transportation Forum
Transportation Links
- Townpage "Route Search". Enter your current location and desired destination and the town pages will make a route and give you the estimated time and cost.
- Japan Railways. Information on JR rail services including Shinkansen passes etc.
- Japan Automobile Federation. Rules of the Road in six languages, information on switching an overseas drivers license to a Japanese one, and more.
- bestjapancar.com. Japanese car sales & worldwide export services for private users and auto traders.
- Occidental Cars. Covering all facets of buying and owning a car in Japan.
