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Transport: Tickets and Routes in Japan: real experience from chats

Short answer
Rent a car with an ETC card and ensure your license convention matches Japan's requirements, noting that strict speed limits can lead to immediate license revocation. For public transit, use IC cards for seamless fare adjustments and confirm your pass covers all intended private railway lines, as some systems require manual exit processing or additional tickets.

From real experience

Rental cars should include an ETC card for toll roads.
Parking is largely paid, but free spots exist near tourist attractions (temples, parks) and grocery stores; check signage carefully. Japanese speed limits are strict; excessive speeding (20-30+ km/h over) can lead to license revocation even for tourists. Verify compatibility of driver's license conventions (Geneva vs. Vienna) before rental.
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Japan Travel Tips: Shinkansen tickets between major cities cost around 7,000 JPY.
Local transport (metro, buses) averages 1,000 JPY/day. Capsule hotels are the cheapest accommodation (1,500-2,000 JPY). Book transport and accommodation in advance. eSIMs can be purchased via Trip.com with clear activation instructions. Souvenir katanas can be transported in checked luggage with proper documentation and handling by airport customs.
✓ 1 report from chats
Tokyo transport passes like the 48-hour Subway/Toei Subway pass may not cover all lines, particularly private railways.
You might need to pay extra or purchase separate tickets for certain private lines (e.g., Gotokuji Line, lines connected to Shinjuku Station). It's advisable to research the specific coverage of your pass and the transportation network to plan your routes effectively.
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If a Suica or Pasmo card is rejected at a bus or station gate, it is often due to an 'incomplete trip' error (e.g., failure to tap out at the previous destination).
This can only be resolved by station staff at a railway gate. In Kyoto, buses require tapping the card upon exit, not entry, due to fixed pricing.
✓ 1 report from chats
If you exit a station at a stop different from the one designated on your paper ticket, use the 'Fare Adjustment' (Norikoshi) machines located inside the ticket gates before exiting.
Alternatively, pay the difference to the station staff. IC cards automatically handle fare adjustments.
✓ 1 report from chats

Related topics

💱 Comparing Currency Exchange Locations 🛂 Visa Application and Submission • Using IC Cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) 💱 Using Cash and Currency Exchange • Exchanging Old USD Notes 💱 Currency Exchange in Osaka and Kyoto

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