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Transportation Information

Japan has one of the world's most highly developed transportation systems. The rail service alone covers almost all possible destinations. In addition, there is a national highway system, and a well developed domestic air service. Buses and taxis provide connections around the clock in the cities, while ferry boats link Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe with the main ports on Hokkaido and Kyushu. In addition, Japan offers comprehensive international air service through its four airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Japan Air System and Japan Asia Airways, as well as a host of foreign- based carriers which fly to all corners of the globe. Railways Railways in Japan include Japan Railways (JR), a group of six railway companies covering the entire country, plus a variety of companies which operate in many of the larger cities. JR especially is renowned for its extreme punctuality, with the heavily traveled trains on its Tokyo commuter lines making stops at stations at 1.5-minute intervals during peak periods. And of course its Shinkansen, or "Bullet Trains," provide ultrafast and highly reliable rail links for almost all the length and breadth of Japan. The network consists of the Tokaido Line, the Sanyo Line, the Tohoku Line, the Nagano Line, the Akita Line, the Yamagata Line and the Joetsu Line. JR's long-distance services include super express, limited express, express, berth and reserved seat, with charges varying according to distance and type of service. Within cities, buy tickets for local lines at the vending machines at each station, and approach the "green-striped" windows ("Midori-no- madoguchi") for tickets of different classes, as well as for long-distance travel. Shinkansen Japan Rail (JR) Pass For the visitors, JR's Japan Rail Pass offers excellent value and convenience. The Rail Pass is available only to sightseeing visitors and must be bought outside of Japan. It gives the bearer unlimited travel on JR lines and affiliated buses and ferries. (The Pass cannot be used on the new super express Nozomi.) Additional Benefit of Japan Rail Pass For those who possess a Japan Rail Pass, JR offers a special discount rate at JR Group Hotels. If you show your Japan Rail Pass at check-in, you will receive a rate discount of about 10%. Regional Japan Rail Passes For the regional travelers, the following JR Passes offer reasonable prices and convenience; JR EAST PASS for northeastern Japan from Tokyo except the island of Hokkaido, JR-WEST RAIL PASS for western Japan from Kansai International Airport and JR-KYUSHU RAIL PASS for all of Kyushu Island. They also offer additional incentives to the respective purchaser. Kansai International Airport Domestic Airlines With some 90 airports serving domestic and overseas flights, Japan is highly convenient for the air traveler. Intra-city Transportation Subway lines are available in all major cities, and provide prompt, efficient transportation. JR's Yamanote-sen loop line in Tokyo and its Osaka- Kanjo-sen loop line both circle the centers of their respective cities. In Tokyo, JR rates start from ¥130, subway fares at ¥160 for the Eidan(TRT A) and Toei(Metropolitan) lines, and both increase with the distance traveled. Almost all stations have vending machines for tickets and automatic ticket-checking machines at their entrance/exit gates. Narita Express "NEX" JR Kyoto Station Bus service is available in all cities, but can sometimes be a bit difficult for non-Japanese speaking visitors to use. JR Yamanote Line - Bus Taxis, on the other hand, are also widely available and can usually deliver customers to addresses written in Japanese or on business cards. If the red light in the lower left corner of the windshield is lit, then the cab is free and it can be flagged down. Be careful when approaching a taxi's left rear door: it is opened and closed automatically from within by the driver. Car Rental services are available in most large and medium-sized cities as well as at airports and major train stations, with international driver's licenses recognized.

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Priority Search Engine Submission © February 1st, 2008 E-Biz Travel Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Central Reservation Office, Bangkok operating hours : Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (GMT+07:00) Office Close on Sunday & Thailand Public Holidays Bangkok Office : 31 Phyathai Building, 9th Floor, Room No. 916, Phyathai Road, Phyathai, Ratchthevi, Bangkok, Thailand 10400 Tel : +66 2246-1400 to 2 Fax : +66 2246-1403 USA Number : +1 603-821-4556 Please contact us for any suggestions or comments