This report concerns itself with activity spheres and trip behaviors toward modal choices in rural areas. It is based on a survey conducted in 1978-1979 and other supplementary surveys conducted in 1983-1985.<BR>Surveryed districts amounted to 66 rural settlements in 25 prefectures.<BR>These settlements were classified according to area type: suburban, plain, mountain village. The individuals surveyed (social strata) were classified into 6 groups according to age and occupation: the aged, both men and women over 60 years of age ; housewives ; farmers and working men and women; elementary school and junior high school students ; high school students.<BR>Conclusions were drawn based on such considerations as trip purpose, mode and destination.<BR>1) Predominant trip purposes were divided by percentages: commuting to work (20. 7%), school (13.3%), farm related errands (13.2%), shopping (10.9%), business related activities (8.5%) (Table 5).<BR>2) The social strata illustrated different patterns as to trip destination and mode (Figs. 3, 4).<BR>3) Directions of personal trips were divided into: direct type, detour type and commuting to and from type.<BR>4) An attempt was made to classify trip destinations and modes by categories. The first category includes casual conversations, walking for pleasure, child care, general maintenance and overall watering needs. The second, includes farm activities and social gatherings. The third, includes amusement, social visits and mutual assistance. The fourth, includes shopping, welcoming and sending off students and shopping and receiving (goods). The fifth, includes work, business and hospital visits. The sixth includes school (Fig. 8).<BR>It is of importance to understand the correlation between purpose, scale and location of facilities and trip behavior of the social strata in addition to preferences of choice for a particular mode.<BR>This study showed that area transit was used mostly by the aged, housewives in plain areas and mountain villages, and by students in all areas.<BR>These results illustrate the need for the development of an overall transportation system for people living in underpopulated areas.