Added: 12/20/2005 |
Seat reservations, tickets and more info about Japanese highway busesAt least one bus company, operating connections into the other parts of the country, serves every prefecture and large city in Japan, and due to a great number of bus companies and a strong competition among them, the fares to all major Japanese destinations are cheap. In addition, you are not likely to come across many problems using Japanese highway buses, since all important information and signs are often written in both, Japanese and English.
There are six major private companies, which form the Japanese highway network today: East Nippon Expressway (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto); Central Nippon Expressway (Kanto, Chubu);
West Nippon Expressway (Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu); Metropolitan Expressway (metropolitan Tokyo); Hanshin Expressway (Osaka and Kobe); Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway (between Shikoku and Honshu).
No matter what company you will choose, it is necessary to make seat reservations on long distant buses. Seat reservations are available at major bus terminals, through travel agents, by phone (usually in the Japanese language only, the phone numbers are published on the bus companies' websites) and online (also in Japanese). It is better to make seat reservations well in advance, especially on most popular routes and during busy travel seasons. However, if there is some space left, it is possible to make seat reservations prior to the departure at a bus terminal.
There are three types of tickets obtainable on most routes. These are one-way tickets, round trip tickets and multiple tickets or booklets. One-way tickets are probably the most expensive among all. Round trip tickets are often ten percent cheaper than two one-way tickets, though there is a limited period, usually from six to ten days, for a round trip to be made. Multiple tickets include four or five tickets that should be used during three months, following the purchase. There are usually discounts for students, groups and children at the age of six-twelve.
Consider several bus indications and the etiquette that you should know:
1) Night buses have an owl symbol on the destination board; they link most major cities in Japan and are much cheaper than day buses. You can also save on accommodation, taking an overnight bus.
2) A red light behind the destination board on a bus means that it is the last bus of the night.
3) Certain seats on buses are set aside as "Silver Seats" for elderly or infirm people. It will be impolite to sit here.
4) Dogs are not allowed in buses (in taxis or trains as well) unless you keep a dog in a proper pet box.
5) In Japan, there is no custom to give a seat to a lady. This gesture might be welcomed in the case of pregnant or elderly ladies.
If you make seat reservations and follow all the rules, traveling by bus in Japan will be pleasurable and enjoyable. Many overnight buses are equipped with comfortable, reclining seats that are arranged in a row of three seats and two aisles. Most buses have a toilet, a phone on board, and make several stops along the way. Smoking is prohibited on most highway buses. There are also double-deckers, used on selected routes.
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