Public transport in Japan is expensive but very efficient. You can set your watch by the trains in this country and readily rely on the other forms of transport. Think about getting a season ticket for the form of transport you use the most, if you travel every day you will save a great deal over paying an individual fare every time. If you use public transport a lot then by buying some of the types of ticket below you will save money over the year.

For example, you can buy a bus card giving you 5,850yen worth of travel for 5,000yen. Ten journeys a week (5 return journeys) at 710yen a shot makes 7,100yen. With 48 working weeks this costs 340,800yen over the year. With the 17% saving from buying tickets in bulk you can save 57,936yen over the year.

This example shows the benefits of taking advantage of the following ticket offers.

Trains are the main form of transport in Japan and are unavoidably expensive. If you frequently travel between 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. Just ask for a kaisuken. The teikiken ticket allows you to go back and forth all day for a period of time should you need to do so. If you are not sure of your fare always buy a ticket for a smaller amount and then adjust the fare at a fare adjustment machine when you get to your destination. This way you will avoid wasting money.

For example, if you make 5 return journeys a week for 48 working weeks this totals 480 fares. If you use the aforementioned ticket books with the free ticket for every ten tickets you only pay for 436 fares. On this scale you will make the following savings according to the cost of the ticket.

THE BULLET TRAIN - SHINKANSEN

The Shinkansen (bullet train) will whip you all over Japan at 300kmph. It is extremely efficient and comfortable but also very expensive. It is possible to buy discounted shinkansen tickets which will save you around 10% on the full price. You can buy them at discount ticket booths which are usually situated near major stations in urban areas. These tickets are usually valid from a month of purchase. CLick here for an invaluable timetable tool to plan your journey.

OVERNIGHT BUS

You might want to consider taking an overnight bus instead which is half the price but twice as inconvenient although you will be comfortable on your journey as the seats recline and you are looked after by stewardesses on the bus.

BUSES

The bus driver will be able to sell you a book of tickets which offers you a discount the more you spend. This is called the Kaisuken and if you travel on the bus regularly or even for a few weeks on and off you will save money over a year. See the example above.

TAXIS

Taxis are not cheap but often the only alternative. Buses and trains stop running at about 10:00 and 01:00 respectively. Often the Bus, Train and Taxi services in any area are owned by one company so it is obviously in their interest to get the Taxis getting as many fares as possible by stopping the trains nice and early. You will pay anything from ¥400-700 when you step into a taxi (Fares differ in each area of Japan, but all fares are set by the Japanese Ministry of Transportation) . This sum will rise in ¥70-90 increments based on time and distance. Rates increase by 30% after 22:00 or 23:00 depending on the area. It is possible to negotiate a fixed fare over longer distances, just ask a few taxis and one will take the fare with the meter switched off.

When the light on the dashboard is RED then the driver is looking for a fare, when it is GREEN (blue for Kansai) they are en-route or occupied. You do not need to tip and there is no tax for the service.

CAR RENTAL