Long-Distance Travel
Domestic Air Services
Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Air
System (JAS) and several other air carriers service extensive
route networks throughout Japan. Visitors on a tight schedule
can choose to fly to and from points not served by Shinkansen
super-express trains. For reservations, contact leading travel
agents or JAL (Tel.+81-3-5489-1111), ANA (Tel. +81-3-5489-8800) or
JAS (Tel.+81-3-3432-6111).
Trains
Long-distance trains provide convenient access to all partsof Japan.
To book tickets for long-distance trains, follow either one
of two different procedures.
- 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 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily. If you have already validated
your pass and need only to make seat reservations, go
to any "Green Window" or Midori-no-madoguchi counter
at major JR stations.
- If you don't have a JR Pass, visit the JR Travel Service
Center or one of the major travel agents. The lafter have
English-speaking staff who can assist with complicated
travel arrangements.
Ferries and Cruise Ships
Japan has an extensive network of ferryboat routes that link
islands. Popular routes connect Tokyo with northern ports in
Hokkaido and with points south as far as Fukuoka City.
Routes through the Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku
wind among gem-like islands. Elegant cruise ships set
sail for coastal excursions from one domestic port to
another. Water travel is another refreshingly different way to
see and enjoy Japan.
Buses
JR operates long-distance buses between Tokyo and other
major cities. Though travel takes longer, sometimes due to
heavy traffic, fares are cheaper than Shinkansen train fares.
Other bus companies provide bus travel between Tokyo and
Niigata, Fukushima and Sendai.
Benefits of Night Buses include cost saving on a night's
accommodation, good riding comfort and economical travel
even in daytime on routes good for sightseeing.
Rental Cars
Because of urban traffic congestion, renting a car for innercity
travel is not recommended. But driving can be convenient
and enjoyable on Japan's freeway system connecting
major cities with other destinations.
Drivers proceed on the left side of the road. Know your
route in advance, because road signs may not have alphabet
leftering,
When you apply to rent a car, you will be asked to produce
your international driver license.
Discount Tickets
A variety of discount tickets are available to visitors
who lack a Japan Rail Pass.
- Discount round-trip tickets offer a 20 percent discount
to destinations more than 600km distant one-way. It
can be cheaper to buy one of these tickets than to buy
a standard-fare ticket to a closer city.
- SHUYUKEN tickets offered by JR are excursion tickets
for direct non-stopover travel between two points, but
with unlimited travel within a designated area. Valid on
all JR trains and bus lines, it can save you more than
20 percent compared to standard fare.
- Package tours can include discount lodging as well as
discount rail and bus travel.
- JR also offers a prepaid Orange Card with discounts
for travel on JR trains available at JR stations in major
cities. These cards come in several denominations and
can be used to buy JR train tickets from vending
machines for distances of less than 100km.
- Economical coupon tickets are also available.