There's also a bus system that connects the towns of Tajima, called Zentan Bus �S�A�o�X (which roughly translates as "All-Tajima" bus). I'll leave the train and bus schedules in the apartment for you. (There are even Zentan Buses that go to Osaka, but I personally have never ridden one.) The buses are pretty reliable, but can get expensive, and besides, I wouldn't rely on buses and the trains as your sole means of transportation around Tajima. Minato JHS is about 16 km away from the main part of Toyooka (and thus the apartment), and there are no direct trains to the school. My first month on the JET Program, I had to catch a train to Kinosaki station (15 minutes), and then catch a Zentan Bus to school (10 minutes); altogether taking maybe twice as long to commute than driving. (Also, the buses between Kinosaki station and school only run maybe 3 or 4 times a day). Moreover, the road between the apartment and the school is narrow and fairly dangerous for bicycles (and forget about riding your bike in the snow on that road!).
In short, I recommend renting (leasing) or buying a car. As such, I suggest getting an international driver's license/permit (valid for one year, from AAA or its equivalent) before you come to Japan. I'll talk a bit more about driving and renting a car, in the "LIFE" section of this site. |
