Japan is covered by an extensive local and long-distance bus system. Local buses take you in and around the cities and towns, while an impressive long-distance bus network provides efficient and very affordable (if time-consuming) option for getting anywhere you want to go.

Contents 1 Local Buses 1.1 Instructions 2 Long-Distance Buses 2.1 How to use 3 Expert Tips 4 Checklist 5 Directory of Buses Companies 5.1 In Japanese 5.2 Major bus companies by region: 6 See also

Local Buses

Local buses are a supplement to train and subway systems in the bigger cities. They compete with other forms of public transportation to round out Japan's impressive public transit network. Often, the local bus will be the cheapest option, or your only option for getting where you need to go, especially if you're heading a little off the beaten path.

The disadvantage of the bus is the fact that English signage is much rarer than on the train, and bus networks usually lack the easy-to-reference maps of subway systems. Also, bus stops are not quite as easy to spot and figure out as subway stops.

Instructions

1. Get on the bus through the back door. If the bus only has one door, go in through that, even if it's in the front.
2. Pick up a ticket from the machine near the entrance. A number is printed on the ticket, which you will later use to figure out your fare.
3. A display above the driver shows the next stop and the fares for that stop in yen. To determine your fare, match the number on your ticket with the number and fare on the display.
4. Press one of the buttons on the wall to signal ththat you wish to get off at the next stop.
5. If you do not have the exact fare, use the change machine to make exact change.
6. To get off, put your ticket and the exact fare into the box next to the driver.

In many places there's a flat fare, so you always pay the same price regardless of how far you travel. There are exceptions to the system above, the most important of which is the Tokyo Metropolitan Buses, where you enter through the front door, pay a flat fare when entering, and exit through the rear door.

Long-Distance Buses

While long-distance buses are much slower than taking a high-speed train or shinkansen, the extremely low prices generally make them the best travel for your money in Japan. If you don't mind the wait, this is the way to go to see the country on the cheap. Also, overnight buses are very common, and serve as accommodation for the night you travel, so they'll cut your accommodation expenses later on.

Every region of Japan is covered by excellent bus networks, and on the more popular routes, intense competition among different companies means you can take advantage of some seriously cheap fares.

How to use

For a long-distance bus, a seat reservation is almost always required. Go to the bus terminal to make your reservation and get tickets. You can also buy online or over the phone, but usually only in Japanese. See the links below for online seat reservations. JR runs a bus service as well as their train lines, so you can often buy their bus tickets at their train station kiosks as well.

Round-trip tickets are usually around 10% cheaper than two one-way tickets, and you can also buy booklets of tickets (4/5) at a 10% discount. Ticket booklets do need to be used within a limited time frame, usually about 3 months. There are also discounts for children and large groups.

Choose your bus. If comfort is your aim, go for a special overnight bus, equipped with fully reclining seats and more space to stretch out - perfect if you want to arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to go. For the economically sensitive, standard buses run day and night - with less space and comfort, but a significant savings compared to the overnighters.

Expert Tips

• If you're traveling at peak times (i.e. Golden Week), it's recommended to get your tickets well in advance. But, most of the time it shouldn't be a problem to just show up at the station and get your ticket for that day.
• Overnight buses are more expensive than standard buses, but the way you feel in the morning might be well worth the extra cash. Plus, both are significantly cheaper than taking the shinkansen.

Checklist

Directory of Buses Companies

• Japan Bus Web
• JR Bus Kanto
• Alpico
• Nishitetsu
• Orion Tour

In Japanese

• j-bus.co.jp Online seat reservations for many highway bus routes nationwide.
• www.highwaybus.com Online seat reservations for many other highway bus routes nationwide.
• Rakuten Travel: Highway Buses Online booking of discount buses.

Major bus companies by region:

• Hokkaido:

• JR Hokkaido Bus
• Hokkaido Chuo Bus

• Tohoku:

• JR Bus Tohoku
• Miyakou Bus (Sendai)
• Iwateken Kotsu (Morioka)

• Kanto (incl. Tokyo):

• JR Bus Kanto
• Keikyu
• Odakyu Bus
• Keio Bus
• Seibu Bus
• Nishitokyo Bus
• Kanto Bus
• Orion Tour

• Chubu:

• JR Tokai Bus
• Meitetsu (Nagoya)
• Alpico (Nagano)
• Hokutetsu (Kanazawa)
• Nohi Bus (Takayama)

• Kinki (incl. Osaka and Kyoto):

• Nishinihon JR Bus
• Kintetsu Bus
• Keihan Bus
• Nankai Bus
• Hankyu Bus
• Shinki Bus (Kobe, Himeji)

• Chugoku:

• Chugoku JR Bus
• Ryobi Bus (Okayama)
• Ichibata Bus (Matsue, Izumo)
• Hiroko (Hiroshima)

• Shikoku:

• JR Shikoku Bus
• Shikoku Kosoku (Takamatsu)
• Iyotetsu (Matsuyama)
• Tosaden (Kochi)

• Kyushu:

• JR Kyushu Bus
• Nishitetsu (Fukuoka)

See also

• Driving
• Trains
• Hitchhiking
• Planes