Getting around in Japan

If you are ever in Japan, you can take advantage of the great public transportation they have out there. While you are there, you will no doubt be taking the train at some point. At the Japan Rail, JR, website (www.japanrail.com), you will find a great tool to help you get around. If you look for their Quick Search Hyperdia, http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi , you will find an application that will help you get from point to point, calculate how much it costs, and the time it will take to get there. You begin by putting in the origin and destination stations. Then you specify what time you want to leave or get there as well as other specifics like type of train. For the results, you get several options to choose from, cheapest or fastest. This is great when taking trips around Japan but also useful around urban areas like Tokyo or Osaka.