Plaza Homes offers various information about living in Tokyo and is especially
useful for newcomers.
Commuting / Transportation in Japan
May 30, 2008
From 1st of June, 2008, you must wear a seat belt even you are
sitting in the back seat.
There's no penalty by driving without wearing seat belts
in the back seats on general road/local street, however,
you will lose 1 point on Express way.*
Remember, seat belts save lives. Please fasten your seat belt,
doesn't matter you sit in the front seat or in the back, wherever you go.
*As of 30, May 2008. Rules may change in near future.
Another new rule.
When a person who is aged 75 and over drives a car,
he/she should endeavor to display the mark called 'Momiji Mark'
like below picture. There's no fine for offenders at this moment,
but the rule may change in near future.
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February 05, 2008
Standard fares now start at 710 yen per the first 2 km (1.25 miles)
and then 90 yen per 288m additional or 105 seconds of waiting time.
A late-night 20% surcharge is applied to all fares during the
10pm - 5am period. (used to be 30% surcharge during 11pm-5am)
Also from January 2008, ALL taxis in Tokyo became
'NON-SMOKING'.
If you are a smoker (like myself...),
I recommend you to carry a pocket ashtray.
You can purchase at most convenience stores.
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March 16, 2007
New ticketing system for public transport in Tokyo
will start from the 18th of March, 2007.
PASMO
PASMO is a rechargeable contactleess smart card
ticketing system for public transport to be introduced inTokyo
from March 18, 2007.
Pasmo is a development of the Passnet system used by
many NOT JR railway lines in the Tokyo region.
The system will offer interoperability with the JR SUICA system,
as well as integrate private bus companies into the existing
Passnet network. (from Wikipedia)
For more information about Pasmo, please click here.
SUICA
SUICA is a rechargeable contactless smart card and
it was introduced in 2001.
The card is usable currently in the Kanto region at
JR East stations near Sendai and Niigata, and in the Kinki
region on JR West.
The card can also be used interchangeably with
JR West's ICOCA card in the Kansai region.
The card is also increasingly being accepted as a form
of electronic money for purchases at stores and kiosks
within train stations.
Suica stands for 'Super Urban Intelligent CArd'.
An additional meaning comes from the expression
'sui sui', meaning 'smooth' and an abbreviation for 'card',
'ka' intended to highlight the smooth simplicity of using the
card compared with traditional train tickets. (from Wikipedia)
So from the 18th of March 2007, you can use either
PASMO or SUICA card for most of the transportation
in Tokyo.
However, many people already have Suica card which's
been around for over 6 years. It might be easier just charge
Suica card and use it for JR or Subways or buses.
It is totally up to you which card you choose to use, but
just remember that you cannot use both cards at the same time.
When you use 1 card, the other card shouldn't be in a same
pass case otherwise the automatic ticket wicket system
can't pick which card to read!!
For more information about Suica, please click here.
Now, there is a tip for TOEI BUS.
You can use Pasmo or Suica for Toei Bus, if you purchase
Common Bus Card, you get a credit.
For 1,000 yen card, you pay 1,000 yen but get
extra 100 yen credit. If you purchase 3,000 yen card,
you get extra 360 yen, and if you purchase 5,000 yen card,
you get 850 yen extra!
There are individual rules and conditions with each card,
so please read them carefully and choose your favorite card!
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February 22, 2007
Catching a taxi in central Tokyo is not so hard.
There are about 50,000 taxis operated in Tokyo.
The maximum number of passengers per
standard size taxi (sedan) is 4.
HOW TO CATCH A TAXI
Major stations or hotels, they have cabstand.
If you go to the main street, you will be able to
catch one quite easily. (at night with rain, right after
the pay-day (most of people get paid on the 25th or
15th for government worker), and the time after the
last train sometimes hard to catch one.)
First, you look for a taxi with the top lights on,
also with red sign says 'Kusha'. (*see the sign below)
ku=empty sha=car; means vacant
Then just raise your hand.
(Look at the driver like you really want him to stop!)
The minimum fee starts from 660 yen for the first 2km.
(some private taxi companies only charge 650 yen.)
After 2km, the charge will be added 80 yen per 1km.
There will be 20%-30% extra charge after 11pm until 5am,
it is called 'shinya warimashi ryokin.' (late-night-charge).
And the sign looks like this:
*So if you are looking for a taxi after 11pm,
you'll see this sign.
*Please click here to check new taxi fare & rule.
OTHER TAXI SIGNS
1. Chinsou - no vacancy
2. Kaisou - out of service
3. Geisha or Yoyakusha - reserved, on a way for pick-up
4. Kashikiri - reserved for certain amount of time
TAXI CONVERSATION
When you get in a taxi, you will be asked:
Driver: "Where would you like to go?"
Dochira made?
You: "Please take me to Roppongi 3-chome".
Roppongi san-chome made onegai shimasu.
Driver: "Ceretainly."
Kashikomari mashita.
Giving directions
You: "Please turn left at the next corner."
Tsugi no kado wo hidari ni magatte kudasai.
(or Tsugi no kado hidari desu.)
"Please stop just before the traffic lights."
Shingou no temae de tomete kudasai.
"My apartment (house) is right on the next corner."
Watashi no apato (ie) wa tsugi no kado desu.
"Please stop here."
Koko de tomete kudasai.
"How much?"
Ikura desuka?
"Please give me a receipt."
Ryoshusho wo kudasai / Reshiito wo kudasai.
WORDS
Right: Migi
Left: Hidari
Straight: Massugu
Turn: Magaru
Stop: Tomaru
Here: Koko
There: Asoko
This: Kore
That: Are
It: Sore
I'm in a hurry: Isoide imasu.
Please drive faster: Isoide kudasai.
TAXI RESERVATION
You can reserve a taxi in English with these companies:
1. Nihon Kotsu
Reservation: 03-5755-2336
24hours, 365 days on line in English
http://www.nihon-kotsu.co.jp/en/taxi/ephone.html
2. Tokyo MK Taxi
Reservation: 03-5547-5551
Credit card accepted. Larger size taxis available.
http://www.tokyomk.com/eng/index.html
3. Hello Tokyo Taxi
Reservation: 050-3160-0601 (8am - 8pm)
or 03-5653-7921 (Japanese only)
Larger size taxis available.
http://www.hello-tokyo.co.jp/english/index.htm
