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The history of Istanbul began as early as 7 B.C. After 330, when the Roman Empire transferred its capital from Rome to Constantinople (currently Istanbul), the city continued to prosper as the capital of the Byzantine Empire and then the Ottoman Empire, becoming one of the largest cities in the world. Historic buildings such as the Topkapi Palace in the old part of the city (which was designated as a World Heritage site in 1985) remind us of a bygone era. Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents with Asia and Europe on either side of the Bosporus Channel. As the meeting place of Eastern and Western civilizations, the city retains a unique atmosphere produced by the merging of European, Islamic and Asian cultures. The old and new city areas and the Asian-side area have their own distinct charms. Turkey is a large country with differing climates. Although the inland area has high fluctuations in temperature between daytime and nighttime, Istanbul belongs to a Mediterranean climate and thus enjoys relatively mild seasons. In summer, when European holidaymakers flood to the resort areas along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, the air is very dry and the average temperature is between 20 - 25 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the winter brings weather cold enough to snow. Therefore, as the seasons are similar to Japan, appropriate clothing is usually the same. You are advised to wear hats and sunglasses when visiting ruins in the strong summer sun. Turkish Airlines is the only airline to fly directly from Japan to Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport (code-share flight with Japan Airlines). Flights leave four times and three times weekly from Narita International Airport (Chiba prefecture) and Kansai International Airport (Osaka), respectively. It takes approximately 12 and a half hours to Istanbul and 11 hours to Japan. Including indirect flights from air carriers such as Air France and Lufthansa (from Nagoya), daily flights to Istanbul are available. The tram runs between the residential district in the western part of the old city area and Kabatashi in the new part of the city. It passes many tourist attractions such as Ayasophia and the accommodation area of Sultanahmet as well as Turkish Railway Sirkeci station, Eminomyu and the Galata Bridge. This is the most convenient and familiar means of transportation both for citizens and tourists. Antique trams are in service along the 1.5-kilometer Istiklal Street in the new urban area. The tram fare is a flat 1.3 Turkish liras per ride, paid by purchasing a coin-like ticket called a Jeton. If you plan to use the tram many times during your trip, it is recommended that you buy a prepaid ticket called an Akbil for the required amount. The Istanbul Metro serves two routes: one connects Aksaray in the former urban district and Ataturk International Airport via Otogar while the other runs between the district around the Taksim square and Levent to the north. It is a flat fare of 1.3 Turkish liras per ride, paid by purchasing a card-type ticket. The prepaid ticket Akbil can also be used on the Metro. Two types of city buses, municipal IETT and private OHO are in operation, with the former operating a larger fleet of buses. The bus serves almost all of Istanbul, and is particularly convenient for traveling between new and old parts of the city. The routes are very complicated, thus it is essential to confirm destinations at a ticket booth beforehand. The bus is also a flat fare of 1.3 Turkish liras. Dolmush is a shared yellow taxi minivan for up to eight passengers and runs along predetermined routes. Although there are no taxi signs, you can get most Dolmush taxis near city bus stops because they travel along very similar routes as the city buses. Unlike buses, however, you can get off anywhere you like making the Dolmush a convenient means of traveling around the city once one is accustomed to using it. The fare is 3 - 4 Turkish liras, paid inside the cab after departure. The ferry is convenient for traveling from Eminomyu at the foot of the Galata Bridge in the old urban area to coastal areas along the Bosporus in the old and new urban parts of the city and the Asian side. There are six primary routes and the landing place differs by destination. The minimum ferry charge is 1.3 Turkish liras.