Osaka Express Bus

The Osaka Express Bus refers to a long-distance highway bus service connecting Osaka with other major Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kobe. Designed for both affordability and convenience, it is an ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers, offering daytime and overnight departures to accommodate varying schedules.

Get on an Osaka Express Bus

Advantages of Osaka Express Bus

Cost Savings & Extensive Coverage

With routes widely covering major Japan cities and prices significantly lower than the Shinkansen, ranging from 25% to 50% off, it offers great value for money. Night buses further enhance savings by eliminating the need for overnight accommodation.

Frequent Schedules & Multiple Options

Various operators ensure a frequent schedule, providing tourists with diverse options to suit their travel plans, whether during the day or night.

Comfortable Amenities & Attentive Service

The buses are equipped with adjustable, partitioned seats, free Wi-Fi, blankets, charging sockets, and toilets, with separate areas for women and men. Dedicated luggage compartments and attentive drivers ready to assist with luggage ensure a smooth and pleasant journey from start to finish.

Comfortable Seats of Osaka Express Bus

Luggage Storing Space of an Osaka Express Bus

Major Destinations from Osaka by Express Bus

For express buses from Osaka to other cities with journey times exceeding 5 hours, both daytime and nighttime services are typically available for passengers to choose from. When it comes to express buses bound for the Tokyo area, overnight services are predominantly available, though a limited selection of daytime buses is also offered.

Destinations	Approx. Travel Time / Fare
Tokyo (Overnight)	8h30min, 2,700~5,500 yen
Mount Fuji (Overnight)	10h30min, 5,200~7,700 yen
Kyoto	2h15min, 1,630~2,200 yen
Nagoya	3h, 1,500~2,000 yen
Hiroshima	4h, 4,200~4,500 yen
Fukuoka (Overnight)	9h, 4,300~6,100 yen
Kanazawa	6h, 3,100~4,200 yen

How to Buy the Ticket?

Tourists can purchase highway bus tickets through stations or online, but beware: like air tickets, prices tend to rise as the departure date nears. Therefore, booking online at least three days prior is strongly advised.

Buy or Book a Ticket at a Bus Station Machine

At Osaka's express bus terminal, follow the signs to the ticket office or find an automated ticket machine. You can either purchase a ticket immediately for travel or book one in advance for a later date. Payments can be made using cash, Visa, or Master Card for your convenience.

An Osaka Express Bus Driver is Checking Tickets

Book Online

Osaka features multiple bus operators offering express services. Utilize websites that consolidate information about these buses to compare prices, schedules, and services among different operators. Alternatively, you can book directly on a specific operator's website if you prefer.

Usually, tickets come in two forms: mobile electronic tickets and printable paper tickets. Depending on the service provider, a mobile ticket could be a booking confirmation email or an electronic QR code. 

After online reservation, you can obtain a ticket voucher from a self-service ticket machine at a convenience store within the payment period and pay in cash at the counter to receive your ticket.

Once you have your paper ticket, locate the gate number indicated and wait patiently for your bus. Upon boarding, present your ticket to the driver for verification. Note that some buses may require you to surrender your ticket upon disembarking.

Where to Take an Osaka Express Bus?

The Interior of an Osaka Express Bus

In Osaka, boarding points for express buses vary depending on the operator. For tourists' convenience, here are some key boarding locations, along with access from Namba Subway Station and key destinations:

Osaka Station JR Express Bus Terminal

Access: It's a quick 14-minute subway ride or a 20-minute bus journey from Namba Station.

Main Destinations: Nagoya, Okayama, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Tsuyama, Tokushima

Hankyu Umeda Station

Access: 14 minute subway ride from Namba.

Main Destinations: Arima Onsen, Takamatsu, Tottori, Fukui, Tokushima, Awa-Ikeda, Matsuyama/Yawatahama, Yumura Onsen

Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT), 2F

Access: 1-minute walk from Namba Station.

Main Destinations: Tokyo, Tokyo Disneyland, Kumamoto, Sendai, Nagano/Yudanaka, Mito, Sukumo, Kanazawa

Yodobashi Umeda Tower Bus Terminal (LINKS UMEDA 1F)

Access: 13 minute subway ride.

Main Destinations: Arima Onsen, Takamatsu, Tottori, Fukui, Tokushima, Matsuyama/Yawatahama, Maizuru, Yunomine Onsen, Yumura Onsen

Umeda Plaza Motor Pool/BUS STATION

Access: 16-minute subway ride.

Main Destinations: Tokyo, Shinjuku, Hakata, Yokohama Sky Building, Ikebukuro

Abeno Bridge Station (JR Tennoji Station), beside Abeno HARUKAS

Access: A 9-minute subway ride or a 12-minute JR Yamato Line train journey from Namba.

Main Destinations: Tokyo, Shinjuku, Tokyo Disneyland, Fujisan Kawaguchiko, Kumamoto, Uehonmachi, Koriyama/Fukushima, Karuizawa

Osaka Ekimae Station (Subway Higashi-Umeda Station)

Access: 15-minute subway ride.

Main Destinations: Tokyo, Fujisan Kawaguchiko, Tokyo Disneyland, Kobe, Kumamoto, Karuizawa, Sendai, Koriyama/Fukushima, Kanazawa, Ikebukuro

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