Smith wrote:

>> Indeed. Though car is still the only way I can get to/from/around 
>> work. Same situation for most people outside large Japanese cities.
> 
> I do wonder if it's a misconception that Japan is the land of good 
> public transport. Apparently even Nagoya is hard to get around without a 
> car.

Of course its a misconception. The average ride-by-gaigin hasn't seen 
much beyond Tokyo, Kyoto & Hiroshima, travels by train and in many cases 
uses some rort called a railpass. For me its cheaper to drive, not only 
to and around Nagoya (gawdbless Toyota), but even to Tokyo and back.

> Many cities are quite spread out and it's hard to imagine effective 
> public transport in those areas. I haven't been outside Toyko much, but 
> I remember Gifu city (500,000 ppl) was very poorly serviced.

There are small pockets with decent bus services (though not at nights), 
and intercity transport is usually pretty good, but while I can get from 
  Okazaki to anywhere between Tokyo and Kobe in 2.5 hours, for the 
station, airport, shops, restaurants, cinema, parks, work etc driving is 
usually a no brainer. Not a complaint - just a fact, and I wouldn't 
trade here for anywhere on the Yamanote line.

-- 
"A large number of aliens have been applying themselves to studying in 
various areas inclusive of studying Japanese" - Masuda Nobuya, Director 
General, Immigration Bureau.