They also don't seem to use the air conditioning often, so all of the windows were open and it was pretty hot. At the end of the ride, I almost panicked when the driver looked at the 2000 yen bill (~$20) I had given him like I was tricking him. I have learned since that it is the equivalent of a $2 bill in the US--it's very rare to see one. Thankfully, he took the money and helped me get my luggage out.
Most of the time, I like getting around by bus. For me, it is fun getting around without a car, since it's different than what I'm used to. All of the bus seats are cushioned and it is pretty quiet. Interestingly, there is a place up front with a little conveyor belt that you drop your money into when exiting the bus--not when you get on. I have no idea what they do if you don't pay for the bus ride. There are also ticket books for $10 that are worth $11 that can be bought from the driver to make it cheaper in the long run.
I have only taken the train once so far--two stations after Akita Station. It was very quiet and not crowded like the trains in Tokyo. The train platform we arrived at seemed distinctly Japanese. It wasn't bustling with people and it kind of felt like being in a movie. There wasn't a building or anything, just a platform at a sheltered place with a ticket machine.
I am looking forward to a flight to Sapporo (in Hokkaido) that I am taking in a few weeks and sometime in the near future I hope to take the shinkansen. I don't think I'll find myself taking a ferry because of how many hours it takes to travel, though it is another valid option in Japan.
