Many different modes of transportation are used to get around in Japan, depending on the area. In large cities, like Tokyo, it’s common to get to school or work only by walking, especially if you live close by. Bicycles are also common to get to places that are rather close, and are used as a mode of transportation much more frequently than in the US, where they are used for sport and recreation. Trains are the most used form of transportation, which includes local trains for getting to places close by, express trains when going a little farther out, and the shinkansen, or bullet train, when heading to different parts of the country.
People get around in a variety of ways, including cars, bicycles, buses, and trains. In Japan, unlike in the US, it’s common for people not to have a driver’s license. So, without access to a car, people get around using a bicycle if the distance is close by, or either buses or trains, depending on the area. Both trains and buses are found all over the country, but in places that are really rural, buses are usually the only option.
