Japan’s countrywide network of highway buses (kosoku buses) provides a cost-effective alternative to trains for long and medium-distance travel. These buses operate primarily on the country’s expressway system, offering daytime and overnight services. Despite being much slower than express trains, highway buses are considerably cheaper, with discount fares available on competitive routes. They also provide the added benefit of saving on accommodation costs for overnight travel.
If you’re traveling on a budget, using a highway bus in Japan is one of the most cost-effective means of traveling. In this post, we give you a breakdown of the pros and cons, common routes and how to book a seat.
Highway Buses in Japan
Most buses have amenities such as reserved seating, toilets and features like reclining seats, blankets, a powder room, Wi-Fi and charging ports. Solo female travelers can also find special seats on certain services. Overall, highway buses are a budget-friendly and reliable option for exploring Japan.
A quick reference table of transportation options from Tokyo to Osaka:
Pros and Cons of Highway Bus Travel in Japan
When traveling long distances, consider the pros and cons of using highway buses as a transportation option.
Common Bus Routes
Highway buses in Japan offer an affordable and efficient way to travel between cities, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers. Many companies are competing on popular routes, particularly those to and from Tokyo, the capital city.
Click here to read more.
- External Link
- https://gaijinpot.com/
5 Comments
Login to comment
browny1
Daughter often chooses a night bus when coming home from Tokyo (about 800kms), although flying is her most common choice and train the least.
I asked her why she sometimes takes the bus and cost is one point but the major one is she can sleep on the bus, while not losing any "active" time.
And by sleep I mean crash out soon into the journey and do so for most of the trip. She's the same on planes and trains.
For me, the restless type, an overnighter for 10+ hours would be a nightmare.
But great for those who can calmly even joyfully endure.
Speed
I've had good experiences with these highway buses. Nice and cheap. Not as precise time-wise as the bullet train but usually on time or close to it nonetheless. Pretty comfortable too and easy to fall asleep on if you're on a smooth expressway. If you're out in the countryside on a regular highway road that's winding, it can be a little nauseating.
Roten
Although the writer states that riders have less control over their arrival time than compared with other modes of transportation, my experience is that most of the overnight buses have built-in rest stops once or twice in a night, and that if the traffic is heavy, the driver just cuts down the time sitting at a rest stop. Some rest stops are well over an hour so that the bus does not arrive at the destination too early. I love the overnight buses for 1) cheap but comfortable transportation, 2) their departure and arrival in city centers, usually at the main railroad stations, and 3) the chance to see some of the countryside before dusk and after dawn. The writer also states that the buses are the slowest option - but they are often quicker than riding the local trains for long distances now that overnight trains are a thing of the past in most parts of Japan. There is at least one other option for some types of travel, and that is the overnight long-distance ferries which are not quite as cheap, but also interesting to observe life off of the main tourist paths of Japan.
kohakuebisu
If you live in inaka, the bus company will often have a free or cheap car park, sometimes near the expressway. Many inaka people have cars and will be driving to bus or coach station. I doubt many Shink stations have free parking.
If you are coming from the city, going most of the way by express coach and renting a car midway might be more convenient than doing the whole journey by train if the last part involves a switch to local inaka trains which are slow and infrequent.
falseflagsteve
Not so keen on getting the, buses. I use planes and trains to get around, well for me it’s handy, don’t live too far from KIX and Itami and easy access to JR.