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Daily Life | Transportation

Transportation

Public Transportation
The transportation network is extensive in certain places in Japan. When you're using the same route very often, the fare can be real cheap if you buy a book of tickets and commuter pass.

"Aichi Now", Official site for tourism Aichi
https://www.aichi-now.jp/ (Japanese)
https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/ (English)

 

Web sites of transportation companies in Aichi area:

JR Tokai
http://jr-central.co.jp/ (Japanese)
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/index.html (English)

Nagoya Railroad
http://www.meitetsu.co.jp/ (Japanese)
http://www.meitetsu.co.jp/english/ (English)

Kintetsu Corporation
http://www.kintetsu.jp/ (Japanese)
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ (English)

Tokai Transport Service Company
http://www.tkj-i.co.jp/ (Japanese)

Toyohashi Rail Road
http://www.toyotetsu.com/ (Japanese)

Transportation Bureau, City of Nagoya (Subway)
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/jp/pc/ (Japanese)
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/OTHER/TRP0001448.htm (English)

Transportation Bureau, City of Nagoya (City Bus)
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/jp/pc/bus/ (Japanese)
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/OTHER/TRP0001448.htm (English)

Meitetsu Bus
http://www.meitetsu-bus.co.jp/ (Japanese only)

Mie Kotsu
http://www.sanco.co.jp/ (Japanese)
http://www.sanco.co.jp/foreign/english/index.html (English)


Driver's Licence
There are three ways for a non-Japanese driver to be entitled to drive a car in Japan. Please contact a local police station for details.

① Foreign nationals driving with an international driver's license in Japan
・Only international driver's licenses issued by contracting countries to the Geneva Convention are valid in Japan.
・An international driver's license (size, color, and form) that conforms to the model set out in the Geneva Convention.
・The international driver's license is within one year from the date of issue
・Permitted to drive for the period of one year starting from the date of landing in Japan
・Vehicles permitted to drive are the ones bearing a stamp in the A-E rank of the international driver's license

Note:
When a Japanese person who is registered in the basic resident register departs from Japan or a foreign national who is registered under the Alien Registration Law departs from Japan upon acquiring permission for re-entry and subsequently lands in Japan again doesn't qualify as landing which marks the starting date of the computation for driving with an international driver's license without more than three months from the said date of departure to landing. (Article 107-2 of the Road Traffic Act)
http://www.pref.aichi.jp/police/english/index.html (English)

②Foreign nationals driving with a foreign driver's license in Japan
・A foreign driver's license issued by Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and Taiwan.
・With a translation in the Japanese language attached thereto that is prepared by a party including JAF or a consulate
・One year after you have landed in Japan

Note:
When a person who is registered in the basic resident register departs from Japan or a foreign national who is registered under the Alien Registration Law departs from Japan upon acquiring permission for re-entry and subsequently lands in Japan again doesn't qualify as landing which marks the starting date of the computation for driving with an international driver's license without more than three months from the said date of departure to landing. (Article 107-2 of the Road Traffic Act)
http://www.pref.aichi.jp/police/english/index.html (English)

③Foreign nationals driving with a Japanese driver's license in Japan by taking the driver's license test as Japanese do (Japanese driver's license)Or you may use the following procedure:
Switching from a foreign driver's license to a Japanese driver's license
・After acquiring a foreign driver's license, you must have stayed in that country for a total of three months.
・When you apply, the foreign driver's license must be a valid license in that country.
・A Japanese address is necessary.

 

(Required documents)
a foreign driver's license
a copy of the two sides of the foreign driver's license
a written translation of the foreign driver's license
passport
a copy of the passport (pages with photo, expiration expire date and visa)
residence card
a copy of the two sides of the residence card
a photo for the driver's license application

*As some other required documents vary in different countries, please contact the police station at each location for further information.

 

(Contact Information)
Aichi Prefecture Driver's License Bureau +81-(0)52-800-1351
Higashi Mikawa Driver's License Center +81-(0)533-85-8989

Note:
Taxi
You can flag a taxi at a taxi stand around a train station or public facility or on the street. A plate on the dashboard in the lower corner of the windshield indicates whether a taxi is vacant or not. A red plate indicates that the taxi is vacant, while a green plate indicates the opposite (see illustration below). During the night a light on the roof of a taxi can indicate that the taxi is vacant. When you board a taxi, note that the vehicle's left rear door is opened and closed remotely by the driver. You are not supposed to open or close it by yourself. Furthermore, you are not supposed to tip taxi drivers, as the service is included in the price. Pay the fare before you get off and if you pay through a credit card, available credit cards are displayed inside the taxi. Although you can also book a taxi by making a phone call to the taxi company, an additional cost may be charged.


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