The Japanese system of transportation is one of the world’s most modern and efficient systems. Public transportation includes trains, subways, busses, streetcars, monorails, ferry boats and planes and it provides access to even the most remote regions of the country. Japan rivals the United States in the production of automobiles which are sold both domestically and internationally. Today, most Japanese families have at least one automobile; however it is more common to commute to work using public transportation.

Air Travel
Air travel in Japan is usually between islands such as flights between Tokyo and Hokkaido. Travel within Japan’s main islands is generally done via train, bus or car; however, most cities have at least a small domestic airport. Japan’s two major international airports are Narita (Tokyo) and Kansai International Airport (Kanku) in Osaka. “Limousine busses” are the best way to travel between the airport and the city and typically cost around $25 one-way.

Bicycles
The bicycle has been a popular mode of transportation in Japan for centuries. It is not uncommon to see Japanese people riding bikes in the center of Japan’s major cities as well as in rural areas. Bicycles are an efficient way to travel from one’s home to the local train station so hundreds of bikes are typically seen lined up in front of stations during the workday. It is interesting to note that most bicycles are not locked since theft is not the problem that it is in many other industrialized countries today. Bicycles are also commonly used to deliver take-out food in urban areas and for short shopping trips.

Busses
Busses are the popular form of transportation in rural areas where the train system is less developed. Busses are boarded at the front where the fare is paid and riders exit through the rear door. Privately owned sightseeing busses (hato) are a popular means of touring the country.

Subways
The subway system in Tokyo is one of the most extensive in the world today. It is the fastest way to navigate this city which is infamous for its traffic congestion.

Taxis
Taxi cabs are common in all of Japan’s major cities. The fare is usually based on mileage and tipping is not required. The passenger doors on Japan’s taxi cabs are opened and closed by the driver from the driver’s seat so passengers should never attempt to open or close them manually. Japan’s taxi cabs are impeccably clean and the drivers often wear hats and white gloves.

Trains
The system of trains in Japan dates back to 1872 when the first steam locomotive service was launched connecting Shimbashi station in Tokyo to the City of Yokohama. By 1889, service was extended to Osaka covering a distance of 320 miles. Today JNR (Japan National Railways) operates Japan’s major rail system and there are numerous privately run smaller lines which connect the more rural areas to major metropolitan areas. Altogether, Japan’s railway system covers more than 17,000 miles. Most Japanese rely on trains and subways to commute to work and during rush hour, platforms and cars are packed with commuters.

The Shinkansen (bullet train), operating at speeds greater than 170 miles per hour, began service in 1964 between Tokyo Station and Osaka. Today it is unrivaled in the world in terms of punctuality and customer comfort. Service between Tokyo and Osaka takes place at regular intervals throughout the day and because of its success, new lines have been established linking Kansai to Kyushu and Tokyo to Niigata on the Sea of Japan.

Travel by boat
Because Japan is an archipelago made up of thousands of islands, there is an extensive system of ferry boats which transport passengers and their cars between the mainland and smaller islands. Cruise ship travel has become more popular in recent years and today many Japanese elect to take cruise ship vacations to Japan’s southernmost tropical islands as well as to the South Pacific. The shipping industry in Japan has been well developed for many years and is the principle means for transporting goods not only internationally, but between Japan’s coastal cities.

Rickshaw
The rickshaw or ‘jin riki sha’ (man-powered vehicle) is a seating compartment mounted between two wheels. Two long poles extend forward which are used by a runner to pull the craft. The first evidence of rickshaw being used in Japan is around 1870. They became so popular that by the mid 1880s there were over 150,000 rickshaws on the streets of Japan. Today rickshaws are only seen in historical settings or dramatizations.