Transportation

The best way to travel in Japan is by train. Train lines (JR Lines) run through most of Japan including some parts of eastern Japan such as Sendai and Tokyo . Subway trains (Sendai Subway Trains) run from north to south or from the Izumi Chuo Station to Tomizawa Station and charges a minimum fare of ¥200. Buses are also a common mode of transportation. When riding buses it is better to use bus cards instead of using cash to pay for your fare so as to avoid the hassle of having to compute your fare for each ride. Taxis are available in all cities. Flag down rate is around ¥650 and even though tipping is not necessary, there is an extra charge when you use a taxi late at night or very early in the morning. To know whether taxis are empty simply look at the meter light. A red light indicates that the taxi is available.

For those who prefer to drive their own car or motorbike , there are two important things to know. One is that you are not allowed to drive without a Japanese or International license. International licenses are valid for only one year after which you have to get a Japanese license. The other thing to remember is that no one is allowed to own a car without a parking space. So before you go ahead and decide to buy a car make sure that the apartment you are staying in provides parking space.

Traffic Rules

Here is a short list of important traffic rules and practices:

• Automobiles drive on the left side
• Pedestrians take priority over drivers
• Seatbelts are required for drivers and front seat passengers
• Children under six are required to use car seats
• Cyclists and motorists are required to wear helmets
• Drunk driving is strictly prohibited and could result to confiscation of license