Bus

The buses operating in Japan can roughly be divided into the following three types: long-distance, local, and sightseeing.

While you're traveling in Japan, you may need to use one of these buses depending on where you want to go and what you want to see. The bus system in Japan is fairly easy to operate and is very punctual, just like the train system. When traveling on vacation with Japan Deluxe Tours, you will likely be using a long-distance bus to get around the sights. These buses are designed with your comfort in mind, and we equip our tour buses with mobile Wi-Fi routers to keep you connected while we travel between Tokyo, Osaka, and southern Japan.

Long-distance buses run on expressways between cities. Although it takes more time to travel than trains or airplanes, they are cheaper and some long-distance buses run late into the night. Therefore long-distance buses are a popular form of transportation among many people looking for affordable travel rates.

There are multiple companies to choose from when booking an overnight bus or a long-distance bus while traveling in Japan. Regardless of the company you travel with, it is important you arrive early on time as the bus won't wait for you. Long distance buses usually offer seats that can recline and curtains to cover the windows. Some buses used for airport transfers are long-distance buses meant for comfort between the airport and hotel. In some cases, your long-distance bus may also have a restroom in the back.

As for local buses, their routes and schedules are set and they are mainly used for commuting. Thus, they are a type of transportation that is closely attached to the everyday lives of the people. Most buses only cost around one hundred to two hundred yen per ride, and usually accept smart cards like Suica and Pasmo.

When riding a bus, there are usually buttons on the side to press to indicate you've reached your stop. Similar to riding on the trains, the same etiquette of consideration and quiet is applied when traveling by bus. The buses can also get rather congested during rush hour, so you may want to skip riding if you don't have to.

Sightseeing buses run on routes going around various tourist spots that start from and end at major hotels or train stations. Such buses allow passengers to efficiently tour around the many tourist spots in a short amount of time. Sightseeing buses are popular choices for travelers looking to spend time exploring a smaller city. Sightseeing buses are great to see a few popular landmarks in a few hours without having to worry about navigating your way around Japan.

If you want to add a sightseeing bus tour to your vacation before or after your tour with Japan Deluxe Tours, let your agent know while booking to arrange a sightseeing bus tour. If you're not sure how to spend your free day in Tokyo during a Cherry Blossom Japan Tour or Highlights Tour, why not consider adding a sightseeing bus tour to your itinerary?