The idea of going from one place to another in record time by traveling on a high-speed train is very appealing. But if you’re traveling around Japan, the train isn’t your only option. In fact, the bus is a great alternative to the train. Yes, it may be slower, but it’s much cheaper than the Shinkansen and has the advantage of going where trains don’t go. The network of buses that travel on highways in Japan is very extensive and there are good companies that operate hundreds of routes. If the train is too expensive for you or there are no trains going to your destination, bus travel in Japan is a great alternative.
Bus at Kawaguchiko Station, Japan © lapon pinta / Shutterstock.com
Is it safe to travel by bus in Japan?
Generally Japan is a safe country. Crime rates are very low and tourists often feel safe and welcome. The same can be said for traveling by any type of public transport around the country, including bus. The vehicles are modern, comfortable (with different levels of comfort depending on the type of bus you travel on) and cheap. For the convenience of some passengers, the Japanese went a step further by creating travel zones for women traveling alone or ensuring that a single woman does not travel alongside a man.
The roads in Japan are in fantastic condition compared to many other Asian countries. There are approximately 7,000 kilometers (4,375 mi) of highways stretching across the country. Thousands of kilometers are narrower local roads. More dilapidated roads can be found in some remote areas. But in general, the asphalt is in good condition, and because the buses serving the routes are modern, tourists can feel safe traveling by bus in Japan.
Types of buses in Japan
Tokyo Narita Airport Airport Bus © Tooykrub / Shutterstock.com
As a tourist, you will most likely use long-distance buses to get from one city to another (so-called intercity services). Sometimes it may be necessary to take local bus, but it will be in small towns where there are no other means of transportation such as trains or subways. Local buses run between cities and small towns. Similarly, large cities also have local bus networks, but since they have very good transport alternatives, you are less likely to use them in cities like Tokyo.
The airport buses They are also very common in Japan. They offer cheap and convenient services to airports and cities, and stop at major hotels, bus and train stations. Airport buses are a cheap and convenient option to get from the airport to the city. In addition, there are usually discounts for foreign tourists.
long-distance buses
JR bus in Tokyo © Osugi / Shutterstock.com
Since you will definitely be traveling in Japan on long-distance buses, we will focus on this information. You’d think that with an excellent rail network and high-speed shinkansen, there aren’t many long-distance bus deals. The truth is that it is not. In fact, the demand for these buses has increased significantly and new companies have entered the market to serve the most demanded routes. This led to a lot of price competition which helped to keep the cost of tickets down. Without a doubt, the biggest advantage of traveling by bus in Japan is the price. If we compare it with a shinkansen ticket, it is no wonder that there is an increasing demand from travelers.
As we said, there are many long-distance bus companies in Japan. The largest operator is Japan Railways (JR) as it has the largest road bus network. While this is a good option due to the extent of the network, JR group buses tend to be more expensive than the competition, so it’s not the best option if you want to save some money. Also, JR buses usually depart and arrive at train stations instead of bus stations. Depending on the case, this can be an advantage or a disadvantage. It’s designed to be well connected to the rail network, so it’s perfect if you have a train to catch, but maybe not ideal if you need to go to another part of the city.
Another possible advantage of traveling on JR buses is that the JR Rail Pass can be valid for journeys on their buses. Of course, it is not accepted on all road routes, although it is accepted on many local buses, so it cannot be trusted to work on a long-distance bus. That said, other bus companies also have passes that can be purchased specifically for traveling on buses rather than trains. We’ll talk about the details a bit later.
Willer Express is another great company that has a wide network of routes. They have a very good reputation and their buses are easily recognizable by their pink color. There are too many other companies to list them all in this article. But if you want to make a quick comparison between different operators and ticket prices, as well as read reviews from other travelers, the travel page 12Go.asia It is a very useful tool. Just enter the route you want to take and you’ll see a long list of bus companies with photos to compare vehicles and book online. In this way, you can save much more time than browsing the websites of one company at a time.
Types of bus tickets in Japan
Premium seats on the Willer bus
When looking at the different bus travel options in Japan, you’ll notice that fares vary greatly. There may be two companies operating the same route between two cities with similar travel times, and tickets with one cost twice as much as with the other. The difference in price comes down primarily to the reputation of the company; and secondly, the level of comfort you offer with your services.
It’s good to know that almost all long-distance buses in Japan run at night, so keep this in mind when comparing prices. Traveling overnight saves you an overnight stay, so you can pay more knowing you’ll be able to rest along the way.
So what are the bus ticket options? The truth is that you can find big differences. The most expensive ones can be traveled on buses that have fewer seats than conventional buses. Premium services usually only have two or three seats in a row, while a standard bus has four seats in a row. In addition, the most luxurious buses have seats that recline almost completely or even seats with sliding doors for more privacy. Some buses are so exclusive that they have very few seats to offer the most luxurious service.
Where to buy bus tickets in Japan
You are not limited by the need to buy tickets in a specific place, such as at the station. In fact, bus tickets can be purchased in various ways. You can get them through the website of the tour company, from a travel agent or even ask your hotel to make a reservation if they offer such a service. As we mentioned earlier, 12Go is a good place to compare companies and ticket prices. Here you can book in advance and receive instant confirmation. In this way, you will avoid the hassle of checking prices, routes and timetables of different companies.
Purchasing individual tickets is a good option if you only intend to do one or two trips, or if you don’t have any set plans. But keep in mind that there are also bus tickets for foreigners that can save you money if you plan to travel by bus around Japan several times. Don’t miss our Nagoya to Tokyo guide.
For example, Willer Express sells the Japan Bus Pass for exclusive use on its buses. This is a good option to save money, but there are some restrictions, such as power outages and the obligation to travel on conventional buses with rows of four seats.
Japan Bus Lines sells the JBL Pass. This plan has the advantage that you can use it with several different JBL member companies, so the offer you get is bigger. This card can be used on buses with three or four seats in a row and has fewer restrictions on the dates it can be used. Therefore, if you decide to purchase this type of pass, you will need to check the restrictions before booking it to ensure that you can travel on the planned dates.
Traveling by bus in Japan is safe, economical and comfortable. The only noticeable drawback is the duration of the journeys, especially if we compare it with Shinkansen trains. But if you are looking for a cheap solution, you can save an overnight stay if you take the overnight train.