LIVING IN KANAZAWA

Public Transportation

BUSES

In Kanazawa, buses are run by Hokutetsu and JR Nishi Nihon. The buses are staffed by one driver. Upon entering the bus, take a ticket that indicates where you boarded. When you want to get off the bus, push the buzzer as you near your stop, check the fare on the fare indicator at the front of the bus and put your fare and ticket in the fare box before you exit at the front of the bus.

Bus services to Kanazawa University campuses are provided by Hokutetsu.
Multi-trip tickets and commuting passes can be purchased at the Co-op stores at Kanazawa University.

TAXIS

You can hail a taxi stopped in the downtown area or a running vacant taxi by raising your hand. You can also book a taxi by calling the taxi company. Taxis for hire can be recognized by the red lamp with a word, "Kusha (vacant)" glowing in the windscreen in front of the passenger seat. Japanese taxis have rear doors which open and close automatically.

Driving a car / scooter

GETTING A LICENSE

To get a driver's license in Japan, normally people go to driving school which costs a considerable amount of money. However, to obtain a scooter license, you can apply directly to the Vehicle Licensing Center to take an examination (traffic rules). The examinations are given in Japanese.

If you already have a valid license from your own country, it can be exchanged for a Japanese one at the Vehicle Licensing Center.
Reservations are needed to exchange your license for a Japanese one. You must bring along your Alien Registration Card, your passport, your own license and a translation of the license.
Details are available at the Ishikawa Prefecture Vehicle Licensing Center (2-1-1 Higashi-kagatsume, Kanazawa; TEL 238-5901) and on the Internet. >>> http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/police/menkyo.html

International driving licenses are valid for a year. If one year has passed from the date of issue, you must get a Japanese license.

TRAFFIC RULES

In Japan cars drive on the left. Driving without a license, drunk driving, and speeding are particularly frowned upon. Drunk driving is strictly punished above all. Even you drink a little, it can lead to very stiff fines.

INSURANCE FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

If you are involved in a traffic accident, the economic losses will be compensated by insurance. There are two types of insurance in Japan: compulsory insurance and voluntary insurance.

<Compulsory Insurance>

Covers damage to persons or property incurred while driving a car or a scooter.

<Voluntary Insurance>

Having compulsory insurance is not always enough since there are limitations in insurance money and range of warrant. Recently there are many cases in which people are required to pay more compensation than the compulsory insurance covers. As an accident causing death or serious injury can result in hospital fees in the tens of millions of yen, it is a very good idea to be insured by voluntary insurance. Voluntary insurance also covers things like damage to your own vehicle that the compulsory state insurance does not.