How to take transportation in Japan

Japan and especially Tokyo transportation can be a challenge. The network is not always public and the privatization of the companies makes them have different prices and systems that can be very confusing for both newcomers and people that have been here in Japan for a long time. 

Some of the information in this article might sound obvious to some of you but might not depending on where you come from.

　A.　The bus

There are a lot of public and private bus companies in Japan. They have different fares and systems but there are some rules that never change.

• You have to line up to get on the bus.
• You have to press a button inside of the bus to notify the bus driver you are getting off at the next stop.

The bus can have a fixed fare or a changing fare depending on the distance. The way to get on the bus changes in that regard.

〇Fixed Fares

The entrance of the bus is the door at the front. You need to pay when you enter by using coins or a transportation card.

There are no tickets and you do not need to use your transportation card again when you get off.
The exit is located in the middle of the bus.

〇 Variable Fares

Some bus companies have variable fares. It means the longer you travel the more expensive it is gonna be.

The entrance door is located in the middle of the bus

When you enter the bus, you need to take a ticket (or bip your transportation card).

When you get off the bus you need to put your ticket in the machine near the exit door and pay. (or to bip your transportation card again to have the fee deducted)

The exit door is located at the front, next to the bus driver.

The article has been written on the basis of living in Tokyo. There might be some local rules and differences not listed here. If you are ever unsure of what to do, imitating people around you is always a good idea! If you feel confident, you can even ask a local for some help.

　B.　The train

The trains in Japan can be confusing and give you some hard times. The first thing you should do is create a transportation card (or download one on your phone). The train companies are all privatized and several companies are coexisting in the same city.

This means that you have to buy a new ticket for the fare of the distance you are gonna travel everytime you need to change lines. 
Train fares in Japan are calculated not regarding the time you use the transportation system but the distance.

One good advice would be to follow the itinerary proposed by google maps until you get used to the transportation here. Also, in large cities, a lot of train station staff can speak basic English and can help you. Always feel free to ask them!