Basics / V. Transportation / 1. Public transportation●Buses●Buses in Sendai include Sendai City buses and Miyagi Kotsu buses.
How to ride the busa)
In Sendai, you board the bus from the middle and get off
from the front door. When paying by cash, please take a①

ticket from ① as shown on the left. When using IC cards,
such as icsca, please tap your card in the location as shownby ②.

②b)

When you hear the name of the bus stop you would liketo get off at, please push one of the buttons inside of the bus.

c)

Pay your bus fee when you get off the bus. When paying withcash, first put the ticket and then the displayed amount into ③.
If you need change, put money in ④ before you disembark.
③

The change dispenser only accepts 1,000 yen notes, 500,100, and 50 yen coins.
When using IC cards, please touch your card on ⑤.
※ If the funds on your IC card is low, you can recharge your④card on the bus. Please ask the bus driver (you will notreceive change)⑤27

●Subway●
There are two Sendai Subway lines (Namboku Line and Tozai Line).
●Purchasing commuter passes (tickets which allow someone to get on and off at
designated areas for as many times as needed, within a specific time period) and icsca
cards●You can purchase a commuter pass at places such as ticket machines inside subway stations.
At counters selling commuter passes you can also purchase one-day passes, which can be used
to get on and off of buses and the subway for as many times as needed within a day.
icsca cards can also be purchased at subway station ticket machines.
For details, please call the Transportation Bureau Information Center.
Sendai City Buses andSubway

Miyagi Kotsu Buses

Transportation Bureau Information Center
TEL: 022-222-2256 (J)https://www.kotsu.city.sendai.jp/ (J, E)
Miyagi Kotsu Headquarters

TEL: 022-771-5310

North-bound: Tomiya Office

TEL: 022-358-9031

South-bound: Sendai Office

TEL: 022-243-2131(Lost and found)(Lost and found)
Sendai Station Lost and Found Center TEL: 022-227-0255

JR EastJR East Info Line

TEL: 050-2016-1603(E, C, K)●JR trains●

JR train tickets can be purchased at travel agencies as well as train stations.
●Long-distance buses●
Long-distance buses run between Sendai and other cities. For example, there is a bus from
Sendai to Tokyo that takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes. Reservations are required. For details,
please contact the respective bus companies.
●Taxis●Most taxis can seat 5, including the driver. If the light on the passenger side of the windshieldくうしゃ

reads 空車 (kuusha/empty car), raise your hand to stop the taxi. The back door on the left-handside opens automatically, so you just need to wait until it opens.
Make sure to check the base fare, which is displayed on the side window on the left (same sideas where you board the taxi). The fare rises in proportion to the time and distance, so it will
increase even when the taxi is stopped in front of a traffic light or stuck in a traffic jam. There isa surcharge between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
If you cannot speak Japanese, give the driver a note with your destination written on it.
＊Sendai Multicultural Center Interpretation Support Hotline
28(TEL: 022-224-1919)＊＊

Basics / V. Transportation / 2. Cars, motorcycles and bicycles●Driving a car or motorcycle in Japan●You must have a Japanese driver’s license or an International Driver’s Permit. There are twoways to obtain a Japanese license:
・Convert a driver’s license from a foreign country
・Take a written test (J, E, C, V), an aptitude test, and a driving test
●Converting a foreign license●
Prior reservation (calling beforehand) is required before the application process (reviewingdocuments) can begin.
Driver’s License Center TEL: 022-373-3601 (ext. 275) / Weekdays 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
・You must have lived in the country that issued your license forat least three months after it was issued.
※ Your passport will be used to check your period of stay in theConditions

Convertinga foreigncountry that issued your passport after your driver’s license
issuance. If the exit/entry stamp or other information cannot be
used to check when you departed the country, other evidence
will be required (graduation certificate, certificate ofemployment, tax payment certificates, etc.).
・Your foreign license must not be expired.
・Your current address must be in Miyagi Prefecture.
・Application form for driver’s license (available at the Driver’s
License Center)
・One 3 x 2.4 cm, black-and-white or color photograph of yourlicense

What youwill need

Otherface. You must not be wearing a hat, the photo must have aplain background, and your teeth must not be showing.
・A copy of your resident record (issued at ward offices)※ This must include your nationality (not required for those witha Japanese license.) You can obtain this at your ward office.
For more information on resident records, see page 6.
・Your foreign driver’s license
・Your passport (all passports if you have old ones)・Your Japanese driver’s license (if you have one)
・A Japanese translation of your foreign driver’s license (*1)
Depending on the country that issued your license, you might only
need to take the aptitude test (eye exam, etc.), or you might needto also take a written test (available in multiple languages) and adriving test. You must pay the test fee even if you do not pass. If
you are unable to speak Japanese you must bring an interpreter
along with you when taking the test.

(*1) Some countries offer translation services at their embassies or consulates. You can also
contact JAF which offers paid translation service. For details, either refer to the JAF website or29

inquire via the following number (TEL: 022-783-2826; weekdays 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)●Registering your car or motorcycle●
If you own a car or motorcycle, you must register it. Contact the store where you bought thevehicle or one of the organizations below.
Tohoku District Transport Bureau

Regular cars

TEL: 050-5540-2011

Miyagi Transportation Branch Office

Light automobile/Kei cars

Motorcycles 126cc and above

Light Motor Vehicle Inspection
Organization Miyagi Office

TEL: 050-3816-1830

Tohoku District Transport Bureau
Miyagi Transportation Branch

TEL: 050-5540-2011

OfficeTaxation and Accounting Section of the ward office/Motorcycles 125cc and below

Taxation and Resident Registration Section of the generalbranch where the motorcycle’s primary parking space islocated.

●Bicycles●・Register your bicycle to prevent theft, and be sure to get it inspected and keep it well maintained.
・Do not park your bicycle on the street—use a designated bicycle parking area. If you park in anarea where parking is prohibited, your bicycle may be confiscated, and you will have to pay afee in order to get your bicycle back.
※ For a map of bicycle parking areas, see:https://www.city.sendai.jp/jitenshataisaku/kurashi/machi/kotsu/jitensha/churinjo/map.html (J, E)●Please obey Japanese traffic regulations●・Bicycles and all other vehicles use the left side of the road. Pedestrians (people walking) are to
walk on the right side of the road.
・Bicycles may be ridden on pedestrian pathways if the path is signposted/marked as shown
below.
・You should not drive a vehicle, including bicycles, after consuming alcohol.
・In “Sendai City’s Ordinace on Bicycle Safety,” the city defines the rules that bicyle users mustabide by. For detailed information, check the Sendai City website:
https://www.city.sendai.jp/jitensha/foreign.html (J, E, C, K, V, N)
Image source:“Do you know thetraffic rules forcycling? Are youfollowing them?”(Public Relations
Office –Government ofJapan)

Road marking【Bicycles】

Traffic sign (designated forbicycles and pedestrians)

・When riding on the sidewalk, pedestrians are prioritized, and cyclists must stay close to the30

road and cycle slowly.
・It is against regulations to use your mobile phone for phone
calls or otherwise, to use an umbrella, or to hang things on yourhandlebars, while riding a bicycle.
・You must not wear headphones or earphones whileriding a bicycle.
・You must not ride side by side or have two people ride on thesame bicycle at once.
・Be sure to wear a helmet and protect your head.
・You must turn on the light of the bicycle when it is dark.
※ Those who have been caught violating regulations two or
more times by the police within a three year period must attend
a training course.
【Cars】
・You must wear a seatbelt regardless of which seat you sit in.
・Children under the age of 6 must use a booster seat in the car.
【Motorcycles】
・You must wear a helmet.
「Traffic safety guide for pedestrians and cyclists in Japan」」
https://www.npa.go.jp/koutsuu/kikaku/trafficsafety/traffic_safety_english.pdf (E)https://www.npa.go.jp/english/bureau/traffic/document/06_traffic_safety_cn.pdf (C)https://www.npa.go.jp/english/bureau/traffic/document/07_traffic_safety_kr.pdf (K)https://www.npa.go.jp/english/bureau/traffic/document/05_traffic_safety_pt.pdf (Portuguese)
You can purchase a book about Japanese traffic rules (E, C).
For details, please contact: JAF (TEL: 022-783-2826)

Road signs

Dead end

No entry

Only designateddirections permitted
31

No overtaking

No stoppingor parking

No parking

Speed limit(50km/h)

Bicycles onlyPedestrians

Two-step turnrequired formopeds

StopNo crossing

only

Bicycles andpedestrians onlySchool/kindergarten/
nursery

Multilingual Traffic Safety DVD
Provides simple explanations on how to ride bicycles safely,
what to do if you get into an accident and more, in 5 different languages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurfsFk8CZ4(J, E, C, V, N)●Signing up for insurance●
If you injure someone after causing a traffic accident, you may be required to pay a large sum ofmoney.
If you own a car or motorcycle, you must sign up for liability insurance. Buying optional insurance
is also highly recommended. If you bought or were gifted a car, you must check whether it isinsured. You can apply at the dealership where you bought the car or directly with an insurancecompany. You must also enter into a bicycle liability insurance if you intend to ride a bicycle.
Insuring your bicycle is also useful if you were involved in an accident. There are a few kinds ofbicycle insurance, including a TS sticker that you can receive if you purchased insurance when
having your bicycle inspected and fixed at a bicycle shop (for a fee). Bicycle liability insurance
can also be purchased on the internet or at convenience stores. You can also have it added onas an additional insurance policy clause through automobile insurance or fire insurance.

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