Bus in Japan
Express bus
Busta Shinjuku
Express bus is cheaper than the limited express of railway
Nationwide network of expressways is completed in Japan.
Therefore, many long-distance express buses run on the expressways every day.
Most express buses connect the large city such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and a local city directly.
Of course, it takes more time than the limited express and Shinkansen of railway.
But the fare is about half.
If you want to travel around Japan as cheaply as possible, it is a good way to use express bus.
In most cases, the bus terminal is set up near the central station in the city, and the buses arrive and depart there.
The night bus is the only way to travel during the night
Inside of a night bus
No night train of railway is operated in Japan.
(Exceptionally, only one train between Tokyo and Izumo, Takamatsu is operated.)
On the other hand, many night express buses are operated on various routes.
Most of them leave late at night and arrives in the morning.
If you want to move to far city in one night and travel around Japan efficiently, it is a good way to use night express bus.
Main express bus terminal in Tokyo area
Main express bus terminal in Nagoya area
Main express bus terminal in Osaka area
Express bus booking website
Regular tourist bus service
Tour bus
In main tourist areas, regular tourist bus is operated.
If you want to visit main tourist attractions without any trouble, it is a good way to join any bus tour.
In most case, a bus guide accompanies the bus.
You can select your favorite tour in some interesting tours.
In most case, there are one-day tour, half-day tour, 2 or 3-hours tour, etc.
Some cities operate "Loop Bus" for tourists like fixed route bus.
It stops at some tourist attractions in order and returns to the starting point. The bus is operated frequently.
If you buy the tour ticket, you can use the bus as you like within the day.
Various areas
Tokyo, Kanto area
Kansai area
Hokkaido area
Tohoku, Koshin-etsu area
Hokuriku, Tokai area
Chugoku area
Kyushu area
Fixed route bus
Inside of a fixed route bus
Fixed route bus is a mode of transportation for the residents
Fixed route buses are operated in most cities and towns in Japan.
It is a mode of transportation for the residents in local communities.
When you travel around Japan, you may have some opportunities to get on a bus to reach your destination.
In Tokyo and Osaka, you can visit various tourist attractions by subway and railway.
Route buses are also operated, but it is not more frequently than the railway and is affected by the traffic jam.
Kyoto is a big tourist city, but the main transportation in Kyoto is fixed route bus.
Because, Kyoto city has only two lines of subway in the city.
Fixed route bus is often crowded
The body of the bus is smaller than train and the seats are narrow.
The bus stops at many bus stops, so the passengers often get into and out of the bus.
The passengers must move among the crowd in the bus.
If you have a big baggage, getting on the fived route bus with the baggage is troublesome for you and the other passengers.
You should have the baggage as little as you can when you use fixed route bus.
Most fixed route buses in Japan are operated without conductor.
Just before the bus stop you want to get off, you push a button on the wall and notify the bus driver.
The driver stops the bus and you can get off the bus there.
Payment of the fare in fixed route bus
The fare box is beside the bus driver.
The buses in most large cities are mainly flat rate pricing.
When you get on the bus, you pay the fare.
So, the entrance is the front door.
When the bus runs a long distance, the fare is different according to the distance.
At that case, when you get on the bus, you must take a numbered ticket.
So, the entrance is the middle or rear door.
There is a fare board by the fare box.
When you get off the bus, you pay the fare according to the number on the ticket.
The exit is the front door.
Cash or prepaid IC card for public transportation is available.
Credit card is available in the buses of some bus companies.