- There are mainly 4 ways to move around in Japan.
1 Train
2 Shinkansen (Bullet train/Super express train)
3 Bus
4 Taxi
In this page, I will explain 3 bus.
Buses in Japan
The number of the low-floor buses has been increasing, nevertheless buses in Japan are not accessible very much.
For the reason is below.
・Buses are small since roads in japan are narrow.
・Buses have steps.
・Some people do not like to let people using wheelchair get on the buses( It is soooo shame.)
Thus, I do not recommend that wheelchair users use the buses to move around Japan.
Accessible buses
Usually, when you get on the buses, ramp (we call ramps slopes) comes down automatically.
Then you get on the bus by yourself or a bus driver or passengers could help you.
(Japanese are so shy. If you do not ask us, we might not help you get on the bus. However, we just hesitate to help you since we are very shy and thinking that we might bother you. If you ask us if we can help you, we are happy to help you. Please say, ”Suima-sen. Tasukete-kudasai. (Excuse me, please help me.)”)
Fee
You need to pay in advance or later. It depends on the buses.
1 Payment in advance
Fee is flat. Please ask the bus driver about how much the fee is.
1-1 Paying in cash
There is a box next to the bus driver. Put money into the box.
1-2 Paying by IC card
There is a box next to the bus driver. Touch it with IC card.
2 Late payment
Fee changes depending how far you will go.
2-1 Paying in cash
Take the ticket as you get on the bus.
A number is on the ticket.
Please check the amount next to the number on the electric board at the front of the bus when you get off. The amount is the fee you have to pay.
e.g.) Take the ticket, and the number “2” is on the ticket.
An electric board is at the front of the bus.
Please pay the amount next to the number on the electric board when you get off the bus.
Put money into the box next to the bus driver.
If you do not have charge, you need to change. Refer to the picture below.
2-2 Paying by IC card
Touch the box next to the entrance as you get on the bus.
When you get off the bus, you touch the box next to the bus driver again.
If you want to know how much you will pay, you need to take the ticket as you get on the bus.
A number is on the ticket.
Fee changes depending how far you will go. Please check the amount next to the number on the electric board at the front of the bus when you get off. The amount is the fee you have to pay.
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