Highway Bus / Long-Distance Bus in Japan
Highway Bus in Japan
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Although the highway/long-distance bus ride is usually slower in Japan, and there may be serious delays due to local weather and traffic, it is cheaper than air or rail fares with much more options. The buses run day and night so that it is a good choice if your time is flexible. An overnight bus can also save on the cost of accommodation.
Major Routes
The bus network covers the whole Japan, with a number of routes operated by different bus companies. Here are some popular routes of highway/long-distance bus and sightseeing bus in Japan.
Route between Two Places |
Duration |
Fare |
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Tokyo |
Mt. Fuji / Lake Kawaguchi |
2h 5-37min |
JPY 2,060-2,390 |
Narita Airport |
Mt. Fuji / Lake Kawaguchi |
3h 25-40min |
JPY 5,000 |
Haneda Airport |
Mt. Fuji / Lake Kawaguchi |
2h 52-54min |
JPY 1,830-2,520 |
Shinjuku |
Hakone / Gotemba |
2h 20-40min |
JPY 2,480 |
Tokyo / Oji / Roppongi Hills |
Nagoya |
7h 50min – 8h 25min |
JPY 2,500-5,000 |
Yokohama |
Hakone / Gotemba |
1h 45min – 2h 52min |
JPY 1,400-2,600 |
Kyoto / Osaka |
Takayama, Gifu |
5h 32-42min |
JPY 3,800-9,500 |
Kyoto |
Universal Studios Japan, Osaka |
1h 43-46min |
JPY 300-900 |
Osaka / Universal Studios Japan |
Nagoya |
3h 25min – 4h 15min |
JPY 2,000-3,000 |
Nagoya |
Takayama, Gifu |
2h 45-50min |
JPY 2,200-3,100 |
Takayama, Gifu / Shirakawa-go |
Kanazawa |
1h 25min – 2h 15min |
JPY 2,000-4,000 |
Notes:
• The duration is metered from the starting station to the final destination. There are some stops on the route, you can get off when arriving at the site you want to reach.
• The fare is counted for the distance you travelled. The more stops, the more fares.
• If there are more than one bus running on the route, not every bus would run throughout the course. Some may run on a section of the route only, while some may not stop at a few bus stops.
• The information might be subject to change.
How to Buy Tickets
Firstly, you should determine the bus to take. The routes and timetables of the highway bus or long-distance bus can be found on the official website of the corresponding operator. Run by different operators, the stops and route may be different even if there are the same departure and arrival sites. Otherwise, you can find the information at nearby bus station on spot.
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How to Take a Highway/Long-Distance Bus in Japan
In most cities and places in Japan, it is easy to find the bus terminus, for which it is often located by the local railway station. But for other stops, you should arrive there a little earlier and find the one of your bus. At one site, there might be a few bus stops belonging to different operators separately. You may also get the street map, location map, or the detailed address information from where you buy the ticket with your demand.Before the bus ride, you should get your ticket, press your electronic ticket, or make sure that you can show the electronic ticket with QR code to check in if you have booked a ticket. Moreover, please consult the bus operator about luggage allowance before your journey.
It’s suggested to reach the bus station or bus stop 30 minutes before the departure, as the boarding usually starts 10 minutes before departure. Bus number is helpful to find the one you should take. Then take the seat according to your ticket.
Highway Bus Tickets
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Tips
• No smoking and no alcoholic beverage on long-distance buses / highway buses, sightseeing buses and airport shuttle buses in Japan.• For luggage, detailed luggage regulations varied with each operating company.
• Most of long-distance/highway buses are equipped with a toilet. If not, it would stopover at one or several service areas, for 15 minutes per time. You can go to the bathroom, buy some snacks and drinks, or smoke at the smoking area in a service area.
Regional Bus Passes
Bus passes that offer unlimited travel in a certain region for a period of time are very common in Japan. If you plan to travel frequently in a particular area, the bus pass is an economical option.The Tohoku Highway Bus Ticket entitles you to unlimited bus rides in the six prefectures of Tohoku, including Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi and Fukushima. The 2-day/3-day pass can be used onto buses with a sticker of Tohoku Highway Bus Ticket on the front window.
Sun Q Pass, used in Kyushu, is practicable for bus routes as well as ferries there. There are 3-day Sun Q Pass for northern Kyushu, 3-day Sun Q Pass for southern Kyushu, and 3-day & 4-day pass for entire Kyushu with Shimonoseki and Nagoto in Yamaguchi.
Read More: The Best Way to Travel around Japan