Transportation

TRANSPORTATION

1. RAILWAY

The following four railroad companies offer rail service in the Kiryu area: JR Ryomo Line: Tobu Akagi Line; Watarase Ravine Railways; and the Jomo Electric Train Line.

JR Ryomo Line
Inbound train service (destination Tokyo) stops in Isesaki, Maebashi, and Takasaki where passengers can transfer to west bound trains to Niigata and Nagano or east bound trains to Ueno Station in Tokyo.
Outbound train service stops in Ashikaga, Sano and Oyama where passengers can transfer to trains bound for Utsunomiya and Sendai or Ueno Station in Tokyo.

Station in Kiryu: Kiryu Station

Tobu Akagi Line
Inbound train service from Kiryu stops in Ota, Ashikaga, Tatebayashi and Asakusa. Outbound train service stops in Akagi (Omama).

Stations in Kiryu: Shin Kiryu Station, Aioi Station

Watarase Ravine Railway
Train service begins in Kiryu and stops in Aioi, Omama, Ashio and Mato.

Stations in Kiryu: Kiryu Station, Shimo Shinden Station, Aioi Station, and Kiryu Sports Park Station (Aioi).

Jomo Electric Train Lines
Train service begins at the West Kiryu Station and stops in Niisato, Ogo, and Maebashi.

Stations in Kiryu: Nishi Kiryu Station, Maruyamashita Station, Fujiyamashita Station, and Tennojuku Station

Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
The Joetsu Shinkansen Line and the Nagano Shinkansen Line pass through Gunma Prefecture on its way from Tokyo to Niigata Prefecture (the Joetsu Shinkansen Line) and from Tokyo to Nagano Prefecture (the Nagano Shinkansen Line). The Shinkansen Line does not have a station in Kiryu. The closest stations are Takasaki Station &the Jomo Kogen Station in Tsukiyono Town (the Joetsu Shinkansen Line) and Takasaki Station & An'naka-Haruna Station (the Nagano Shinkansen Line).

Kiryu Station (JR Ryomo Line and Watarase Ravine Railways)
11-26 Suehirocho, Kiryu
0277-22-2312

Shin Kiryu Station (Tobu Akagi Line)
2-3001 Hirosawacho, Kiryu
0277-54-1715

Nishi Kiryu Station
2-1-28 Miyamotocho, Kiryu
0277-22-3201

2. TAXI

Taxis available for hire have a red sign lit on the dashboard display panel. A green light indicates the taxi already has a passenger and will not stop. Passengers can hail a taxi by raising their hand. The left side rear door opens automatically. When entering a taxi, please stand free of the door.

Stations, etc. have taxi stands where passengers can wait for taxis; alternatively, passengers can call for a taxi by telephone.

It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers, however, there is a surcharge for service between 10 pm and 5 am.

City Taxi Companies
- Kiryu Asahi Taxi 0277-54-2420
- Kiryu Godo Taxi 0277-46-3939
- Numataya Taxi 0277-44-5242

Daiko Service (Taxi with Two Drivers)
Since the laws regarding drinking and driving in Japan are extremely strict, using "daiko service" has become very popular. Under this system, a driver is provided to drive the customer's car, and the daiko taxi accompanies the customer to her/his destination where the customer's car is parked. The driver then returns with the daiko taxi.

3. AUTOMOBILES AND MOTORCYCLES

International/Foreign Drivers Licenses
a. International Drivers Licenses
International drivers licenses issued by countries which have signed the Geneva Convention are valid for one year from the date of issuance or the date of entry in Japan, whichever ends first. International drivers licenses cannot be renewed. The holder can apply for a new license to be issued from their home country, however, the holder must be present in their home country for at least 3 months at the time a new international license is issued in order for it to be valid in Japan.

b. Foreign Drivers Licenses
Drivers Licenses issued by foreign countries are not recognized as valid drivers licenses in Japan except for drivers licenses issued by the countries of Germany, Switzerland and France. These licenses are recognized by Japan but must be accompanied by a Japanese translation, issued by a recognized translation service, in order to be valid for use in this country. Holders of foreign licenses from any other countries must apply for a Japanese drivers license as explained below.

Obtaining a Japanese Drivers License
(depending on one's country of origin, the documents required for obtaining a Japanese drivers license varies. For detailed information, please contact the General Traffic Center in Maebashi.)

a. Converting a foreign drivers license to a Japanese Drivers License
A drivers license obtained outside Japan can be changed to a Japanese license (a process termed "gaimen kirikae" in Japanese) by applying at the General Traffic Center in Maebashi, providing that the conditions below are fulfilled:

Documents required are as follows:
1. a valid drivers license issued by a foreign country
(You must have proof that you were a resident of the issuing country for at least 3 months after the drivers license was issued.)
2. translation of the foreign drivers license in Japanese (see below)
3. passport
4. alien registration card
5. drivers license application
6. photograph (3 cm x 2.4 cm) - can be taken at the General Traffic Center in Maebashi
7. Philippine nationals must have a notarized copy of the receipt accompanying the Philippine drivers license
8. application fee of 4,200 yen

- Applications can be made at the Gunma Prefecture General Traffic Center (gunma ken sogo kotsu center), Drivers License Test Department (Maebashi) Phone: 027-252-1010

- Applications can be made Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 1 pm to 1:30 pm. First applications should be made in the morning, any time after 11 am for document review. Once the documents have been approved, the applicant can proceed with the driving test, vision test, etc. which is in the afternoon.

Gunma Prefecture General Traffic Center
80-4 Motosojamachi, Maebashi
Phone: 027-252-1010

Translation of a Foreign Drivers License
Translations of foreign drivers licenses must be procured from the Japan Automobile Federation, from the embassy of the country involved or licensing authorities outside Japan (the administrative agency which issued the drivers license).

To obtain a JAF translation, the following is required:
- a photocopy of the drivers license (do not send the original)
- translation fee of 3,000 yen (per license)
(The drivers license copy and translation fee of 3000 yen can be sent by registered mail(genkin kakitome) for a fee of 290yen to the JAF office. The fee can be paid in cash or in postage stamps.)
- There are some languages which JAF cannot accommodate. In such cases, embassy translations are acceptable. Please contact the JAF office in Takasaki for further information.

Japan Automobile Federation, Gunma Branch
2040-2 Koyagicho, Takasaki City, Gunma Pref.
Phone: 027-362-4411 (closed weekends and holidays)

Other Drivers License Procedures
a. Renewing Japanese licenses
Licenses should be renewed within one month prior to one's birthdate. Licenses can be renewed at the Kiryu Traffic Saftey Asso. office in Kiryu. If there are changes to be made on the license, such as change of address, etc., please bring the appropriate documentation along with your license at the time of renewal.

b. Renewing licenses on Sundays
This can be done by appointment only. You will be asked questions regarding your license when calling for an appointment, so be sure to have your license handy when you call. Appointments can be made as follows:
Call the General Traffic Center in Maebashi between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday to Wednesday and between 9 am and 12 pm on Thursdays. The phone number is: 027-251-8000.

c. Renewing expired licenses
Licenses which have expired can still be renewed within 6 months of having expired, providing the bearer can pass the vision test. Please bring your expired drivers license and any other required documentation with you to the General Traffic Center in Maebashi. You are not permitted to drive with an expired drivers license.

d. In case of illness or absence from the country
Licenses can be renewed within one month of release from the hospital or returning to the country by going to the General Traffic Center in Maebashi. Please bring the expired license, medical certificate and/or passport to certify why the license could not be renewed. A new license will be issued after passing the vision test, taking a photograph and paying the renewal fee. In the event that 3 years of more have passed since the license expired, it will be necessary to repeat the driving test before the license can be renewed.

e. Renewal prior to the normal renewal period
In the case of overseas travel or childbirth, etc., it may be impossible to renew the license during the normal period. In such cases, applications for renewal can be made prior to the one month before birthdate period. Please take your valid license and required documents to the Kiryu Traffic Safety Asso. office. Upon renewal, the holder should note that the term of validity may be shorter than usual.

f. Change of address
In case of a change of address, you must notify the Kiryu Traffic Safety Asso. office and have the new address recorded on the back of your drivers license. You will need to show your Alien Registration Card with the correct address in order to record the new address on your license. If you have moved to Kiryu from another prefecture, you will have to have your picture taken to receive a new license.

g. Lost drivers licenses
If you lose your drivers license, you must report the loss to the police. Next, go to the Kiryu Traffic Safety Asso. office to have a new license issued. If you apply for a license in Kiryu, it will take about 2 weeks for it to be issued. You are not permitted to drive until you have received the re-issued drivers license.

Kiryu Traffic Safety Association
3-10 Kiyosecho, Kiryu
phone: 0277-44-9300

GETTING A DRIVERS LICENSE IN JAPAN FOR THE FIRST TIME
This procedure customarily involves attending a driving school. At the end of the training period, students must pass a test which exempts them from the Prefectural Public Safety Commission's Practical Driving Skills Test. In addition, private driving schools also teach students the various rules of the road. Instruction at driving schools is given only in Japanese, so students must have a working knowledge of the language (reading, writing, speaking) in order to attend the classes.
For information regarding driving lessons, contact one of the local driving schools shown on the map here.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
In the event of a traffic accident, the first consideration is to get aid for those injured. Call 119 to request an ambulance. The 119 emergency number automatically contacts the police. When the police arrive, be sure to cooperate with them fully. Failure to call the police to the scene of an accident results in an "unreported accident" offense. For this reason, every effort should be made to contact the police as soon as possible. Those who cannot speak Japanese are advised to contact a Japanese speaking friend who can interpret for them and who understands the Japanese system.

OWNING AN AUTOMOBILE OR BICYCLE
a. parking
In order to purchase an automobile, the owner must show proof of a parking space for it. This is called a shako shomeisho (parking space certificate). Those who don't have a parking space at home must rent one.

b. inspection
Automobiles or motorcycles 251 cc and over must be inspected at regular intervals. The inspection certificate (shaken shomeisho) must be carried in the vehicle at all times. For more information about vehicle inspection, please contact an automobile dealer or maintenance shop.

c. Insurance
There are two types of insurance to cover traffic accidents:
1. compulsory insurance (kyosei hoken)
When purchasing a vehicle, owners must enroll in the compulsory insurance plan; and, when inspecting the vehicle, the insurance must be renewed. Enrollment is handled through the vehicle dealer or maintenance shop.

2. optional insurance (nin'i hoken)
Compulsory insurance has only limited coverage. Optional insurance plans cover accidents not included in the compulsory insurance plans. Furthermore, since compulsory insurance may not completely cover damage awards, some level of optional insurance is recommended. Inquire about optional policies when enrolling in the compulsory insurance plan or from an insurance dealer.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Automobiles and motorcycles must be registered in the owner's name. Changes in ownership or scrapping the vehicle must also be reported. Usually, vehicle registration is taken care of by the dealer when a vehicle is purchased. Please address inquiries about registration to the relevant vehicle dealer.

For change of address, change of owner's name, or scrapping a vehicle:
for motorized vehicles between 50 cc and 125 cc, contact the Kiryu City Hall Tax Division, phone 0277-46-1111 ext. 223-224 or the place of purchase;
for two-wheeled vehicles between 125 cc and 250 cc, contact the Gunma Prefecture Vehicle Maintenance Promotion Asso. in Maebashi, phone 027-261-0221 or place of purchase;
for two-wheeled vehicles over 250 cc, contact the Gunma Land Vehicles Office in Maebashi, phone 027-263-4412 or place of purchase;
for light-weight four-wheeled motor vehicles, contact the Gunma Prefectural Lightweight Motor Vehicles Inspection Office in Maebashi, phone 027-290-2264, or place of purchase.

*For further information about driving in Japan, please refer to the Rules of the Road, a manual prepared by the Japan Automobile Federation in various languages. This manual is sold at the JAF Office and at the counter in the Kiryu International Exchange Association Office in Kiryu City Hall.

4. BICYCLES

Bicycles are registered in order to prevent theft and aid in retrieving them when they are lost or stolen. Please consult with a bicycle dealer about registering new bicycles. When purchasing a used bicycle (transfer registration) or updating information about a bicycle's registration (change of address, etc.), please consult the police department.

For other information about bicycle registration, call:
Kiryu Police Department, Crime Prevention Department
1-16 Kiyosecho, Kiryu
0277-43-0110

5. ORIHIME BUS

The city bus transit system is called the "Orihime Bus." The fare is based upon the distance one rides and ranges between 100 yen and 200 yen. Pre-elementary school children, those 70 years of age and over, and those who carry a Certificate for the Handicapped ride free of charge. Bus schedules can be obtained from Kiryu City Hall, city community centers (kominkan), from the bus drivers, and from the Kiryu International Exchange Asso. office. Foreign language bus schedules (Chinese, English and Spanish) are available at the KIEA office and from the International Exchange Office at the Faculty of Engineering, Gunma University.
See here for online bus schedule in English.

6. AIRPORT LIMOUSINE TO NARITA AIRPORT

The airport limousine (Salvia Line) departs from the south entrance of Kiryu JR Station for Narita Airport. Tickets can be purchased at the Kiryu City Performing Arts Center, located next to Kiryu City Hall. Tickets for the limousine bus from Narita to Kiryu can be bought at the airport terminal.
Office hours: 8:30am-6:30pm (Mon. - Sat.)、9:15am-6:00pm (Sun. & Holiday)
Phone: 0120-616-489

7. LONG DISTANCE BUS TRANSPORTATION

Express service to Haneda, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Sendai by bus is available from the South Entrance of Kiryu JR Station. For further information and reservations, please contact the Nihon Chuo Bus Reservation Service Center at 027-287-4000. Or see the schedules and fares at www.ncbbus.co.jp. The reservation center is open from 9 am to 6 pm.

KIEA OFFICE
KIRYU CITY HALL
1-1 ORIHIMECHO KIRYU,GUNMA 376-8501 JAPAN
PHONE 0277-46-1111 EXT.537 FAX 0277-43-1001
【PC】http://www.kiea.jp　【CELL PHONE】http://www.kiea.jp/m/