Like all the cities along the road network between Tokyo in the east and Hiroshima in the west, Osaka is extremely well connected in terms of expressways. There is the Sanyo and Chugoku expressways from the west, the Meishin expressway from Kyoto (and, ultimately, Tokyo) to the north east and the Kinki and Hanwa expressways from the south.

The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) (tel: (03) 3436 2811 or 6833 9100; website: www.jaf.or.jp/e/index_e.htm), provides an English-language ‘Rules of the Road' booklet and JAF Road Service offers 24-hour breakdown assistance for both members and non-members. In the case of an accident, the police must be informed (tel: 110).

Emergency breakdown service:
JAF (tel: 8139)

There are regular highway bus services running between Osaka and Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo to the east and Hiroshima and Fukuoka to the west. The trip from Tokyo to Osaka by highway bus takes eight to nine hours. Both daytime and overnight buses are available. J R Bus Kanto (tel: (03) 3844 1950; website: www.jrbuskanto.co.jp/mn) operates regular coach services between Osaka and Tokyo. J R Tokai (tel: (052) 563 0489; website: www.jrtbinm.co.jp) runs coach services between Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and several other cities. J R Chugoku (tel: (082) 261 5489; website: www.chugoku-jrbus.co.jp) operates services from Hiroshima to Osaka.