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Getting Around Transportation
Trains
   
The railway system in Japan has a high reputation for punctuality and safety.  
   
The train fare varies naturally depending on the distance you travel as well as the type of train you wish to catch: Limited Express, Express etc. and the type of reserved seat: Green Car (first class), Sleeper etc., for each of which an extra charge is required.  
   
Tickets for short distances are available from ticket machines that are installed 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 purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Your ticket is punched by hand at the wicket or inserted in a punching machine. Please keep the ticket since it must be returned at your destination.  
   
If there is no fare chart in English, buy the cheapest ticket indicated on the vending machine and pay the difference due at the fare adjustment office at your destination station before you go through the exit wicket.  
   
Most stations display station names in both Japanese and alphabet lettering on platform signboards. The name of the station is in large 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.  
   
Japan Railways (JR)  
Japan's leading railway company, Japan Railways (JR), has an elaborate and well-established system of trains throughout the country.
         
  The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the world famous super express train, which fascinates Japanese and foreign visitors alike with its high speed and comfort. It is operated from Tokyo to major cities at intervals of approximately 15 minutes. Image  
       
  Long-distance trains provide convenient access to all parts of Japan.
To book tickets for long-distance trains follow either one of two different procedures:
    
     
 
  1. If you did not validate your Japan Rail Pass at the airport, or did not make seat reservations at the airport JR Travel Service Center, you can go to the JR Travel Center downtown. The one in Tokyo is located at the Yaesu north-exist concourse of Tokyo Station, and is open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. If you have already validated your pass and need only to make seat reservations, go to any Reservation Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi) counter at major JR stations.

  2. If you don't have a JR Pass, visit the JR Travel Service Center or one of the major travel agents.
 
  JR EAST
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/index.html

JR WEST
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/english/index.html

JR HOKKAIDO
http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/

JR KYUSHU
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/profile/index_e.html

JR SHIKOKU
http://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/ 		     
 
    JR Rail Pass
     
  The JR Rail Pass, which is issued by the JR (Japan Railway) Group, offers travellers excellent value for money and convenience. The Rail Pass enables the almost unlimited use of JR trains and its affiliated bus and ferry services within various areas of Japan.  
 
    Other Railways
     
  In addition to the JR Group, many other smaller railway companies operate train services on heavily travelled, mainly urban and suburban routes. These lines very often link the center of a city and the residential areas at its outskirts. These rail lines are usually only convenient for commuters, but on occasions may offer speedier, more economical and more convenient routes than JR from nearby urban centers to popular spots such as Nikko, Hakone, Nara, and so forth. Please note that the JR Pass is not honored on these lines.  
     
  Railway companies in and around the Tokyo area  
 
Easy access to Railway URL
Hakone Odakyu Electric Railway http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/
Nikko Tobu Railway http://www.tobu.co.jp/
New Tokyo International (Narita) Airport Keisei Electric Railway http://www.keisei.co.jp/
Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport Keihin Electric Express Railway http://www.keikyu.co.jp/
Subway networks (Central part of Tokyo) Teito Rapid Transit Authority http://www.tokyometro.go.jp/
 
     
  Railway companies in and around the Osaka area  
 
Easy access to Railway URL
Nara district Kintetsu Railways/Kinki Nippon Railway http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/
Kyoto district Keihan Railways --
Kobe district Hankyu Electric Railways --
Kansai International Airport Nankai Electric Railways --
 
 
 
Discount Tickets  
 
Tokyo
 
Tokyo's public transport is always fast, efficient, frequent, safe, and clean. The main mass transit services are JR trains, Toei (Metropolitan) subway lines, Eidan (Teito Rapid Transit Authority) subway lines, private railways, and buses. Subway lines are color-coded. Most stations have a subway map and fare tables in English. Station names are written using the alphabet. Train transfers are usually easy to make. Trains and subways run from about 5:00 until around 25:00 (1 AM).
 
Eidan (TRTA) Subway Information:
phone: (03) 3837-7111
http://www.tokyometro.go.jp/e/index.html
 
One-day Passes
TRTA Subway One-day Open Ticket
For all TRTA subways. 710 yen
Toei One-day Economy Pass
One-day pass for Toei subways, buses, and Toei Arakawa Line trams. 700 yen
Common subway ticket for Eidan & Toei subway lines
One-day pass for the Eidan and Toei subways. 1,000 yen
Tokyo Free Kippu
One-day pass for JR trains within the 23 Wards, for Toei subways, buses, and TRTA subways. 1,580 yen
 
IO Card
The IO Card can be used as a prepaid card in the automatic ticket taker at any JR East facility. Reinsert the card on the way out and it will automatically deduct the fare from the grand total. If the total is insufficient, insert the card in one of the readjustment machines and pay the difference. Use the automatic ticket takers with the IO Card emblem on them. IO Cards may be purchased from the ticket vending machines. They come in three denominations, 1,000 yen, 3,000 yen and 5,000 yen. You may also buy IO Cards at the Green Windows (midori no madoguchi) at JR Stations that display the IO Card emblem.
 
Pass Net
The Pass Net is a common card system. You can use one card to take a ride on nearly all private railway lines including subways except the JR line. You can save your time to check a fare or a transfer fare to your destination or to buy a ticket.
 
Tokunai Free Kippu
One-day pass for JR trains (other than express trains) within the 23 Wards. 730 yen
 
Yurikamome One-day Ticket
The scenic Yurikamome Line runs between Shimbashi and Odaiba, the new waterfront area. 800 yen
 
LINK : Tokyo Metro page
(http://www.tokyometro.go.jp/e/index.html)
 
Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka & Kobe, etc.)
 
SURUTTO KANSAI
This PREPAID CARD ticket enables you to ride on subways, private railways and buses from morning to night, in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, and Wakayama.
This economical ticket is available for 2 days or 3 days use.
You will receive special services in various facilities, including temples in Kyoto and Nara.
For more information, please refer http://www.surutto.com/3dayeng/index.html
 
Nagoya & Vicinity
 
The MEITETSU NICE DAY PASS
A 2-day Pass valid on our Expansive Travel Network.
This card is convenient when you travel around enchanting areas in Aichi, Gifu and Mie Prefectures.
Adults 3,000 yen
Children 1,500 yen (children aged 6-11 years old )
"The Nice Day Pass" offers:
1.Unlimited travel on any of Meitetsu Group's 6 transportation lines during any two consecutive days.
(Not including reserved seating on limited-express trains, for which an additional surcharge is required.)
2.10% Discount at 13 hotels.
3.10% to 20% Discount at 16 tourist attractions.
 
Hakone & Vicinity
Odakyu Electric Railway co. ltd. provides discounted coupon tickets to Hakone, Enoshima-Kamakura, Izu, Ito, and Tanzawa-Oyama. These tickets usually allow for unlimited travel on a number of transport means within the area and to and from Tokyo. Not only are the tickets a good value for your money, they also provide you with a freedom and convenience to travel throughout the area all with one ticket. For information on their services please click the link.
 
LINK: Odakyu Electric Railway co. ltd.--- Variety of "Freepasses"
(http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/english/freepass/index.htm)