Those who want to drive a motor vehicle on Okinawa must first attend the Kadena driver licensing class held at 9 a.m. each Tuesday at Schilling Community Activities Center.
Bring a copy of your orders, a stateside driver's license and a military I.D. card.
As for driving here, traffic congestion poses a major problem on the narrow streets and roads of Okinawa. Roads are packed with mini-cars, economy cars, vans, trucks, buses and construction vehicles. Combine them with several thousand taxis of all sizes and you have one of the highest vehicle/road densities in the world.
Okinawans drive on the left side of the road. Most new arrivals find the change takes some getting used to; however, you will quickly master it. Pedestrians must also adjust and should look to the right before stepping off a curb. You also will have to learn the international road signs and know Japanese road signs.
Pedestrian crosswalks are prominent on military installations and on streets and roadways throughout the island. As in the states, you must yield to all pedestrians in a crosswalk.
When Japanese school children wish to cross the street, they will hold their hand up, palm toward the traffic, and proceed to cross the street.
During rainy weather, drive slowly and cautiously. Roads become extremely slippery because of the mixture of water and coral dust.
The maximum speed limit on base, unless otherwise posted, is 40 kilometers (25 mph) per hour. Speed limits in base housing areas of 40 kph and 25 kph in school zones are strictly enforced.
Seat belts and child-restraint devices are mandatory. Speed limits off base range from 25 to 40 kph in business and residential areas and up to 80 kph on the island's only expressway.
You will encounter some difficulty finding parking on Okinawa. Always park in designated parking areas, otherwise it can be extremely costly.
Off base, if your car is towed, you will pay upwards of $200 at a local police station to retrieve your vehicle.
You will also pay a parking charge that varies with the length of time your car has been stored. The cost for illegal parking can sometimes be more than you paid for your car! If your car gets towed, and you don't know where the local police station is, call Kadena's Security Forces Law Enforcement Desk at 938-1111, Ext. 634-2475.
Showing posts with label Transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transportation. Show all posts
18 July, 2008
17 July, 2008
Driving in Okinawa
Driving Tips
Have you ever driven on the right side of the road, which is actually the wrong side in Japan, when making a right turn? In Okinawa, as in the rest of the country, drivers must keep to the left. It might be confusing at first to drive on the left side, but try to get used to it as soon as possible because driving on the wrong side is very dangerous. Be sure to obey the light at intersections; it is against the law to turn against the light even if there is no oncoming traffic. Incidentally, there are no four-way-stop signs in Okinawa; the car on the main road has the right of way at intersections without stoplights.
Links to check out: http://www.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/info/driving/MCB%20HANDBOOK%205100RevA.pdf - driving handbook
Have you ever driven on the right side of the road, which is actually the wrong side in Japan, when making a right turn? In Okinawa, as in the rest of the country, drivers must keep to the left. It might be confusing at first to drive on the left side, but try to get used to it as soon as possible because driving on the wrong side is very dangerous. Be sure to obey the light at intersections; it is against the law to turn against the light even if there is no oncoming traffic. Incidentally, there are no four-way-stop signs in Okinawa; the car on the main road has the right of way at intersections without stoplights.
Links to check out: http://www.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/info/driving/MCB%20HANDBOOK%205100RevA.pdf - driving handbook
http://www.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/info/driving/Military%20Personnel.doc - Obtaining POV SOFA License
http://www.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/info/driving/CulturalDrivingDifferences.wmv - movie to get you started on driving here in Okinawa, Japan.Bus
Buses on Regular Routes
The route number shows which route the bus takes. Buses with the same route number drive on the same route regardless of the company. Route numbers 1-17 operate within Naha City. Numbers 20 and greater are for suburban lines.
Route Numbers 1 - 17 (City Lines)City line buses with circled route numbers are destined for the Miegusuku Bus Terminal. Get on the bus through the front door and disembark from the rear door. All buses on these routes are one-man controlled and air-conditioned. Bus fare is uniform 200 regardless where you get on or off within the city.
Route Numbers 20+ (Suburban Lines) Get on the bus through the front door, but do not forget to pick up a numbered ticket. Pay the fare from the ticket-numbered bus stop before getting off from the front door. All buses on these routes are one-man controlled and air-conditioned. This category of bus is destined for the Naha Bus Terminal.
Bus Stops
In some places, the bus stop for the city line is positioned away from that of the suburban line. Make sure that you are getting on the right bus, especially on Kokusai Street.
Bus Service
Chubu Kanko Bus Co.
(098) 937-7858
Naha Kotsu (Silver Bus)
(098) 858-4178
Okinawa Bus Co.
(098) 861-0083
Okinawa Prefecture Bus Assoc.
(098) 867-7386
Ryukyu Bus Co.
(098) 863-3636
Toyo Bus Co.
(098) 832-1840
The route number shows which route the bus takes. Buses with the same route number drive on the same route regardless of the company. Route numbers 1-17 operate within Naha City. Numbers 20 and greater are for suburban lines.
Route Numbers 1 - 17 (City Lines)City line buses with circled route numbers are destined for the Miegusuku Bus Terminal. Get on the bus through the front door and disembark from the rear door. All buses on these routes are one-man controlled and air-conditioned. Bus fare is uniform 200 regardless where you get on or off within the city.
Route Numbers 20+ (Suburban Lines) Get on the bus through the front door, but do not forget to pick up a numbered ticket. Pay the fare from the ticket-numbered bus stop before getting off from the front door. All buses on these routes are one-man controlled and air-conditioned. This category of bus is destined for the Naha Bus Terminal.
Bus Stops
In some places, the bus stop for the city line is positioned away from that of the suburban line. Make sure that you are getting on the right bus, especially on Kokusai Street.
Bus Service
Chubu Kanko Bus Co.
(098) 937-7858
Naha Kotsu (Silver Bus)
(098) 858-4178
Okinawa Bus Co.
(098) 861-0083
Okinawa Prefecture Bus Assoc.
(098) 867-7386
Ryukyu Bus Co.
(098) 863-3636
Toyo Bus Co.
(098) 832-1840
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