Highway Bus

Highway buses (kosoku bus) are an inexpensive alternative to trains for long and medium distance travel in Japan. While buses tend to be slower than express trains, they are usually considerably cheaper. Especially on competitive routes, discount fares have dropped to very low levels. The best of all discount offers is the Japan Bus Pass which allows for extremely cheap bus travel nationwide.

Bus Routes

Japan is covered by a dense network of daytime and overnight highway bus lines. Every prefecture and larger cityis served by at least one bus company, operating lines into other parts of the country. On a few popular routes, especially routes to/from Tokyo, numerous companies are competing against each other, while on other routes they are often cooperating rather than competing.

The map below shows some of the major highway bus lines with approximate travel durations, typical approximate regular fares and typical lowest discount fares (by Willer Express) available. Hold the mouse cursor over a city to see major bus lines serving that city:

Bus Companies

There exist dozens of highway bus companies in Japan, including the former state run JR Bus companies, many regional bus companies and discount bus operators. Unfortunately, most of these bus operators do not maintain an English website and are difficult to use by foreign tourists. Below are some of the companies which are easy to use by foreigners:

Willer Express

Willer Express is a leading discount bus operator with a steadily expanding network that allows for almost nationwide bus travel. It is one of the few bus operators which allow online reservations in English. In summer 2010, Willer Express started selling the Japan Bus Pass, a very cheap bus pass that has the potential to revolutionize budget travel in Japan.

JR Buses

Formerly part of the state run National Railway and now child companies of the JR Group, there are eight regional JR Bus companies, which together operate a nationwide network of highway buses: JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Tohoku Bus, JR Kanto Bus, JR Tokai Bus, Nishinihon JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus and JR Kyushu Bus.

While not as cheap as discount buses, JR buses are still considerably cheaper than express trains and are relatively easy to use by foreign tourists, because tickets can be bought and seat reservations made at ticket counters at JR railway stations across Japan.

Until spring 2013, the Japan Rail Pass is valid on the small number of JR highway bus lines listed below, but passes issued on April 1, 2013 and afterwards cannot be used on any highway bus anymore:

• Sapporo - Otaru
• Morioka - Hirosaki
• Tokyo - Tsukuba
• Tokyo - Nagoya
• Tokyo - Kyoto
• Tokyo - Osaka
• Nagoya - Kyoto
• Nagoya - Osaka
• Osaka - Tsuyama
• Osaka - Kasai Flower Center

Bus companies with English websites

Most bus companies do not maintain English websites, and the trend does not seem promising as multiple companies (JR Kanto Bus and Alpico) discontinued their English websites in recent time. Below is a list of highway bus operators that do maintain an English website:

• Nishitetsu (leading operator on Kyushu)
• Nohi Bus (bus operator based in Takayama)
• Fujikyu Bus (bus operator for access to the Fuji Five Lakes)
• Keio Bus (reservation system for a small number of buses from Tokyo)

Tickets

Regular Tickets

On most routes, three types of tickets are available: one way tickets, round trip tickets and booklets of multiple tickets:

Round trip tickets are typically around ten percent cheaper than two one way tickets. However, the return trip has to be made within a certain time frame, typically within six to ten days following the outward journey.

Booklets of multiple tickets (kaisuken) usually include four or five tickets which can be used in either direction and are discounted by about ten percent compared to single tickets. The tickets need to be used within a certain time frame, typically within three months of purchase.

Discounts are also usually available for children (aged 6-12), students and groups. In recent years, some bus companies have started to offer discounts on tickets purchased far in advance, for example more than 7 or 21 days before travel date.

How to buy bus tickets

Bus ticket can usually be purchased at major bus terminals, by phone (often in Japanese only, see phone numbers on the bus operators' websites), at convenience stores (using a terminal with instructions in Japanese), through travel agents or online (usually in Japanese only). As mentioned above, Willer Express allows for online reservations on their English website, while tickets for JR highway buses can also be purchased at ticket counters of JR stations across Japan.

Seat reservations

Many long distance buses, especially overnight buses, require advance seat reservations. It is recommended to make reservation early for popular routes and during busy travel seasons. However, if the bus is not booked out, it is usually possible to purchase a ticket just prior to departure at the bus terminal. On some shorter bus lines, seat reservations are not possible.

Japan Bus Pass

On sale since summer 2010, the Japan Bus Pass is a revolutionary pass for long distance bus travel in Japan. If used efficiently, the pass can reduce transportation costs to unbelievably low levels for those willing to spend some nights on a bus. The pass is available as a 3-day, 4-day and a 5-day version and does not need to be used on consecutive days.

Sun Q Pass

The Sun Q Bus Pass provides unlimited rides on highway buses and local buses across Kyushu on three or four consecutive days. It comes as an All Kyushu version and a Northern Kyushu version.

The Ride

Boarding Locations

Conventional bus companies tend to use the major bus terminals which are usually located in front of the large railway stations or in the city center. In case of Tokyo and Osaka, there are multiple major bus terminals spread across the cities. Make sure you know which bus terminal is served by your bus.

Discount buses usually do not use major bus terminals, but stop somewhere along the curb of the road near a bus terminal or railway station. These locations can be slightly challenging to find, so make sure to confirm them in advance to know exactly where your bus departs from.

When stopping along the way, many buses use bus stops along the expressway. Be aware that these stops are often not centrally located and may require an additional bus or taxi ride into the city center.

Seating

Overnight buses are typically equipped with comfortable, reclining seats, which are arranged in rows of three seats and one or two aisles. On cheap overnight buses and most daytime buses, standard buses with four seats per row are in common use.

At the other end of the spectrum, premium buses with seats, that resemble business class seats on airplanes, have been introduced on the most competitive Tokyo-Osaka route. Premium seats naturally come at an increased cost, but note that the discount operator Willer Express is among the companies operating some premium buses.

Amenities

Most buses come with a toilet and phone on board and/or make regular toilet stops along the way. Smoking is generally not permitted on highway buses. On some premium buses, personal entertainment systems, wireless internet and electrical outlets make for a more comfortable ride.

Luggage

Highway buses come with a spacious luggage trunk for large suitcases and bags. There is usually a limit of one or two large pieces of luggage per passenger. Smaller bags can be taken onto the bus where there are usually some overhead racks.