Transportation

JR (Japan Railways) and Fares

Centering on the Yamanote Line which loops downtown Tokyo, JR lines extend to suburban areas from Tokyo and other terminal stations. With a minimum fare of ¥130 in the Tokyo area, rates differ according to distance. Rates for children (12 years old and younger) are half the price of adults. Up to two children who are 6 years old or younger ride for free when accompanied by an adult. The third and subsequent child has to pay the children’s fare.
JR also offers special tickets such as season passes which allow holders to get on and off freely between the specified points for a specified period; and coupon tickets (between two designated points) which come in a series of 11 tickets for the price of 10. Season passes are also discounted and are available in two types, commuter and student, with different discount rates.

Subways and Fares

There are two subway companies, Metropolitan and Tokyo Metro, and the minimum fare is ¥160 or ¥170 for each. Fares differ by distance and children’s fares are determined in the same way as JR. Special tickets are also available like JR. Unlike JR, however, coupon tickets for subways go by price zone rather than destinations. Therefore, you use subway coupon tickets at any station and ride within the price zone. When you go through the wicket to get on a subway train, your coupon ticket will be stamped with the date and the name of the station by an automatic stamping machine or wicket.

Buses and Fares

There are Metropolitan and private bus companies operating in Tokyo. Fares for Metropolitan buses are set at ¥200. While children’s fares are half the price of adults for those aged 12 or younger, a pre-school child accompanied by one adult is free. However, the second and subsequent children must pay regular children’s fares.

Getting on a Bus

(1) Enter the bus from the front.
(2) Drop the fare into the fare box.
(3) When you hear the announcement for the stop where you want to get off, push the button nearest you.
(4) Get off at the rear door.

Taxis and Fares

The basic fare for mid-sized taxis is ¥660 and ¥640 for compact cabs for the same distance. After the basic fare, there are additional charges for the distance traveled. Fares are 30% higher from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. No tips are necessary in Japan.

Lost Items on Transportation

For inquires about lost and found: call the following numbers.

JR lines: Tel: 3231-1880
Tokyo Metro lines: Tel: 3834-5577
Metropolitan Subway and Bus: Tel: 3812-2011
Taxis: Tel: 3648-0300
Metropolitan Police Lost & Found Center: Tel: 3814-4151

Driving and Driver’s License

To drive a car in Japan, you must have a driver’s license. If you have a driver’s license issued in your home country, you will have to apply for a Japanese driver’s license at the driver’s license test center. To apply, you will need your foreign residents’ registration card, passport, driver’s license, and one photo (3 cm x 2.4 cm). However, unless you can prove that you have stayed three months or longer in the country in which the license was issued from the dete of issue of the license, you won’t be able to receive a Japanese driver’s license.
In order to acquire a Japanese driver’s license with no previous license, you will have to pass the tests administered at the driver’s license test center. If you complete all courses at the driving school, the driving test will be exempted and you will have to take only written examinations. Written examinations in English are offered at Samezu and Fuchu Driver’s License Centers.

For information concerning driver’s licenses, contact the following offices.

Samezu Driver’s License Test Center:
1-12-5, Higashi-Oi, Shinagawa-ku. Tel: 3474-1374

Fuchu Driver’s License Test Center:
3-1-1, Tamamachi, Fuchu-shi. Tel: 0423-62-3591

Koto Driver’s License Test Center:
1-7-24, Shinsuna, Koto-ku. Tel: 3699-1151