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Getting Around Japan: By Rail
The railway system in Japan has a high distinction for punctuality and safety. Trains are the principal way of transport in Japan and are very expensive. If you repeatedly travel among with the same station you can either buy a 1, 3 or 6 month season ticket or buy a book of tickets which gives you eleven tickets for the price of ten. Tickets for little distances are provided in the ticket machines that are established at each train station whereas tickets for long distances and reservations are dealt with at ticket offices at major stations.
To use the train, first acquire a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. After, your ticket is perforated by hand at the wicket or inserted in a punching machine. You should keep the ticket since it must be returned at your destination.
If you can't find fare a chart in English, purchase the cheapest ticket estimated on the vending machine and pay the difference due at the tariff adjustment office at your destination station before you go through the exit wicket.
Almost all stations display station names in both Japanese and alphabet lettering on platform signboards. The station's name is in huge letters in the center of the sign; names of adjacent stations appear below or to either side. Most if not all trains stop operating around midnight.
 Back to Getting Around Japan
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