Japan Trip Planning: What Is a Night Bus?

Your trip to Japan is almost set. You’ve booked the plane tickets and listed where you want to go. Now, all you have to do is figure out transportation. But there’s a problem: you’ll be traveling to different cities.

You don’t want to travel by plane again so soon, but shinkansen (bullet train) tickets are expensive, and you won’t rent a car. What will you do? Don’t worry; we have a solution. Here’s everything you need to know about riding a night bus!

What is a “night bus”?

As the name suggests, a “night bus” travels overnight through the early morning. All buses have free WiFi and toilets; cheaper vehicles have four seats per row, while more expensive ones have three or even two, extra amenities, and more privacy.

The Japan Rail Pass can’t be used for night buses, but Willer Express offers the Japan Bus Pass to international travelers. (A 7-day Monday-Thursday pass costs 15,300 JPY or $105 USD.) Many bus companies also offer female-only buses and female-only sections on buses.

The best time to travel to Japan is during the week outside of holidays when costs are cheaper. Tickets range from 2000-20,000 JPY ($14-$137 USD) and can be booked a day to three months in advance, or according to the company website.

It’s better to book online well before your trip; most companies accept credit card payments. Others will ask you to pay with cash at a convenience store or directly from a bus terminal. You’ll need to show both the tickets and the receipt before boarding.

Where can I find a night bus?

Basuta Shinjuku Terminal

Officially called the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, the four-floor complex has 15 platforms that serve around 38,000 people passing through Tokyo daily. Basuta Shinjuku Terminal is at the south end of Shinjuku Station, with four color-coded areas depending on your route. The terminal also offers tax-free, foreign exchange, taxi, and local loop bus services.

Tokyo Station Bus Terminal

Tokyo Station JR Expressway Bus Terminal is another popular point of departure from the city. Its two stops are the Yaesu South Exit and the Kajibashi parking lot. While not as fancy as Shinjuku Station, some utilities include washrooms, coin lockers, and free WiFi. Yaesu South Exit is near several food stops, including Tokyo Ramen Street.

Are you looking for great snacks while taking the night bus? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Japanese food directly from Japan!

What are the most common night bus routes?

You can use a night bus to travel to many of Japan’s major cities. The most common route is Tokyo-Osaka, which is offered by all major highway bus companies. With stops, the total travel time is about eight hours. Another popular route is Tokyo-Nagoya, which is about six hours long and ends at Aichi Commemorative Park near Ghibli Park. For our end-of-summer travelers, we’d also like to highlight the Tokyo-Sendai route, which is around six hours long.

If you’ve traveled on trains and buses before, you’ll already know the etiquette for a night bus. Keep conversation and music to a minimum. Don’t wear strong scents or eat foods with strong smells. Don’t keep the other passengers waiting at the rest stops. Breaks are about 10 minutes – use them wisely! Finally, always be polite to the staff and other riders so that everyone, including yourself, will enjoy the trip.

Are there any fancy night buses?

The Kanto Dream Sleeper Gussuri is Japan’s most expensive night bus. It travels from Tokyo to Osaka, and a one-way adult ticket costs 18,000-20,000 JPY ($123-$137 USD). The first-class compartments contain doors for maximum privacy and seats that can be reclined and set to zero gravity. It’s both cozy and stylish!

Next, we must highlight Willer Express Reborn, the luxury bus owned by one of Japan’s most affordable night bus companies. Each seat is kept in its separate cocoon, allowing passengers to recline and stretch their feet using horizontal leg rests. Willer Express Reborn tickets for Osaka-Tokyo cost 9200 JPY ($63 USD).

Finally, there’s the VIP (“Very Comfortable Impact Pretty”) Liner. All passengers can recline their electric seats at the same time. The station has an exclusive waiting room, the VIP Lounge, which offers free drinks and cosmetics for rent. VIP Liner also has female-only buses: Plumeria, Plumeria Grande Plumeria Grande Kobe, and Cherish. A ticket on the 3-seat Plumeria costs 6000 JPY ($41 USD).

Why should I ride a night bus during my trip to Japan? 

Riding a night bus on your Japan trip lets you save time and money you’d otherwise spend on other modes of transportation. You also won’t need to pay for a hotel, since you’ll be sleeping while you travel to your destination.

You’ll also get to see a different side of Japan than if you were traveling by air or train. Instead of whizzing by or over the country, you can stop in smaller towns and enjoy yourself during the breaks. Even the views are different – you’ll get to see the countryside up close in person during your trip in Japan! Have you ridden a night bus before? Tell us in the comments.