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AIR: Japan
Airlines (JL), All Nippon Airways, Japan Air System and
several other airlines maintain an extensive network covering
Japan proper and its islands. Tokyo’s domestic airport
is Haneda (HND). A monorail service runs from Hamamatsu-cho
to Haneda. One international airline, China Airlines,
serves Haneda. Other international flights to and from Haneda
are made via Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka or Nagoya, Main
routes are Tokyo–Sapporo; Tokyo–Fukuoka; Tokyo–Osaka;
and Tokyo–Naha.
Tickets
can be purchased at automatic machines at Tokyo International Airport’s domestic
departure counter and at Osaka International Airport.
SEA: There
are frequent services by high-speed boat, ferry or
hydrofoil to Japan’s islands. Popular routes
include Tokoyo–Hokkaido (in the north) and Tokyo–Okinawa
(in the south). Major sea routes include Awaji Island:
Akashi–Iwaya; Shodo Island: Himeji–Fukuda,
Okayama–Tonosho and Takamatsu–Tonosho;
Shiraishijima and Manabejima Islands: Kasaoka–Shiraishijima–Manabejima;
Ikuchijima and Omishama Islands: Mihara–Setoda.
Bullet train services travel frequently to ports.
RAIL: The
Japan Railways Group (JR) runs one of the best rail
networks in the world, and is widely used for both
business and pleasure. Express and ‘limited express’ trains
are best for intercity travel. Very frequent services
run on the main routes. Shinkansen, the ‘Bullet
Trains’, are the fastest, with compartments for
wheelchair passengers, diners and buffet facilities.
Supplements are payable on the three classes of express
train and in ‘Green’ (first-class) cars
of principal trains, for which reservations must be
made. Other types of train include Tokkyu (Limited
Express), Kyuko (Express), Kaisoku (Rapid
Train) and Futsu (Local Train). For short-distance
trains, tickets can only be bought at vending machines
outside train stations.
Discount fares: The Japan
Rail Pass, an economical pass for foreign tourists, which
must be purchased before arrival in Japan, can be obtained
from Japan Airlines (JL users only) or authorised
travel agents and agencies. It can be used on all trains
except the new ‘Nozomi’ super express trains,
and also on Japan Rail buses and Japan Rail ferries. A Japan
Rail Pass brochure is available from the Japan National
Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).
A seven-day pass currently costs ‰28,300. For travellers
without a Japan Rail Pass, there are var
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