As someone who never a day in her life in America rode a bus, they can be intimidating. Sure, I used the subway or metro in bigger cities, but let’s face it, America’s public transportation sucks. Generally speaking, if you are using buses in Japan, you aren’t going somewhere easy (otherwise you’d be on a train, but we’ll also touch on highway buses!).  If it’s a mile away, I’ll walk, but start getting farther out, you really do need a bus. Throw in a very complicated written language, like Japanese, it’s even scarier. So here are 5 tips for using the bus that I hope helps you on your way!

[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October of 2018 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.]

Disclosure: Kristenabroad.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. For some links to products or services in this article, I may earn a small commission by you using my link.  The price for you is not affected.

5 tips for using buses in Japan

The key to remember is the more practice you have, the more comfortable you will become with using buses in Japan. While kanji can make it a bit more intimidating than other places, more and more buses in Japan are becoming more foreign-friendly with English (and normally Chinese) being used for the signs.

1) How to save money on buses in Japan

Remember when I talked about Pasmo and Suica pre-pay cards?  As long as you aren’t in the boonies, this is the easiest way to go.  You are receiving a small discount by using them, however, if you are somewhere that doesn’t do cards and you’re near the bus depot, pay for the roundtrip (if you are only going one place), you’ll save a few dollars depending on how far you’re going!  

When we took the 45–minute bus ride to Takayama Inari Shrine it was 900 yen one way.  Or 1500 yen round trip.  Something to check, because if you are going round trip anyway, you may as well save a bit!

In cities, often time there is flat rates or bus passes you can get.  Check at the bus station or tourist information center (my must when traveling in Japan) when you get there. A great way to get around Hirosaki and many other cities are the tourist “loop buses”.

2) How to navigate WHICH buses in Japan to use

This is the hard part.  Sometimes there is a whole army of buses at the depot heading off in different directions.  The best starting point is to look up where you are going.  If they have a website, they usually have an “access” page.  If they require a bus to get to them, you’ll be able to check which stop you are looking for, and hopefully, what bus line. 

As, like trains, there are multiple different options.  As far as knowing which stop it is, they are all actually named, and even farther out, they’ll have the name in English characters.  If you are worried about signaling to stop though (there are usually red buttons to press), it is helpful to know what the Kanji looks like as it will appear first.

Next, it’s just a matter to figure out what “platform” or bus name to look for.  Anywhere I’ve been that requires buses in Japan, I make sure to explain that in detail as I know I get stressed out by it so I want to make it as easy as possible for you! Getting to Ryusendo Caves coming to mind.

Lastly, where to get off the bus.  If there was a bus terminal, they should be able to provide you with a time schedule.  Though on roads, they are surprisingly close to the time expected. Yes, even the buses in Japan are punctual! If you have a phone with data (it would be nice if all transportation had WiFi!), you can also google map it to give you a better idea.

3) Reading bus schedules in Japan

There are apps for bus routes but best I’ve been able to find, they are all in Japanese.  Google-san (as it’s called in Japan) is your friend and is doing a better job with including bus routes as a direction option.

For routes, remember that they can differ between 休日 (kyuujitsu, “holidays”) and 平日 (heijitsu, weekdays). 休日 you will normally see listed as “休日 (土　日　祝日)” which means “Holiday (Saturday – Sunday – National Holiday)”. In this case, 土曜, Saturday, is shortened to 土, as 曜 (day) is understood.

If time tables between week days and week ends are different, you will see one of these characters at the top of the column. They normally change the color of the column as well to make it stand out.

This next graphic is a simplistic schedule. If weekday also included a 14:44 bus, for instance, there would be a “44” in the next column from the “24”. Note that not all areas will have English like this one, so it is helpful to learn the kanji or have screenshots of what you are looking for.

4) Getting on and off buses in Japan

Generally, you’ll get on from the back door of the bus but that’s not always the case. One hint, if both doors open, use the rear one.  Some queue lines are very exact and will give you an idea as well because the door will open right at the front of the line.  It’s Japan, we queue for everything.

If you are using a PASMO or other IC card (if that’s an option where you are), you’ll see a PASMO sensor to tap, just tap on and off the bus.  If you are somewhere that needs a ticket or to pay by cash, there will be a number dispenser.  This will be used to verify where you got on (though no one will actually check it). You will see a white piece of paper out of a machine, just grab one as you are getting onboard.

In this picture above, immediately next to the driver is where you pay.  Left of that is the dispenser for what stop you got on. They are in number order but don’t really refer to anything besides that. And in the overhead is the display board.

There will be a screen at the top of the buses in Japan, the price will change as you continue on the way.  Watch what it is for your number and you will drop your number and the exact amount of money in the machine when you step off the bus at your destination.  The machine in which you put your money also has the ability to change bills as necessary generally.  However, it’s a good idea to carry lots of change if you are somewhere that requires riding buses in Japan.

5) Getting back – not missing your bus

Assuming you are returning from where you departed the bus, it’s a good idea to double check the time table.  Even if you got one from the bus terminal.  I generally like to get back 5-10 minutes before the bus is expected in areas where they don’t run often.  They are punctual, but you never know if you might be the one running late!  If you’re getting on at a different location, definitely give yourself some time to locate the bus stop to save yourself some stress.

In this example, there are three bus routes that stop at this stand.  The hours are listed down the left-hand column and the minutes (in the corresponding hour) are listed in the columns per bus.

How to use Highway Buses in Japan

(At updating this article, the highway buses in Japan are currently suspended due to COVID-19 but hopefully, we can use them again soon!)

Highway buses (高速バス, kousoku bus) are often cheaper than taking the train (especially if you’d be taking the shinkansen) to your destination. They are good for medium and long distances. Many longer routes will run overnight, getting you to your destination first thing in the morning. Which works really well for getting to ski resorts, which is the instance I’ve used highway buses in Japan the most. They are also a good option if you tend to get train sick.

For long distance travel for the budget minded traveler in Japan, the overnight options can be great for you as you don’t have to worry about finding lodging – you just sleep on the bus.

You can use Kousoku Bus Net to search for highway bus routes in Japan. You can also save some money by getting one of the highway bus passes.

One of the nice things about highway buses in Japan is that there is room underneath for your luggage, but usually, you are limited to a few items. If there aren’t restrooms onboard, the bus driver will make stops along the way at the highway stations (more on those later).

To purchase your tickets, head to the bus station (normally co-located with train stations, but can have separate hubs like in Iwakuni). You can also purchase them from kiosks in convenience stores.

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Personally, I still don’t like buses.  I much prefer trains and walking (got to rank up my steps with my Garmin Fenix 6S after all!).  However, it’s a necessary evil sometimes. Hopefully, this helps put your mind at ease a bit while traveling around Japan.  There’s also this thing called highway buses in Japan, which I would liken to greyhound buses in the states, that will be a different topic.

What’s your experience with buses around the world?

Even though DiC tried to trick all of America’s youth by flipping the screenshots on Sailor Moon (anyone else remember that?!), Japan drives on the left-hand side. For us right-siders, this poses some challenges, even with merely crossing the road but you adapt. With arguably the best public transportation in the world, driving in Japan isn’t necessary but it is sometimes helpful. Whether you are just visiting Japan or looking to move, here’s an insider view of what it’s like.

1. Getting your license

If you are here for a visit, make sure to bring your international driver’s license. The process for residents to get their license can be long and expensive if you don’t come from one of the places Japan has an agreement with on driving. If you are an employee of the US Government, the process is completely different and more of an add on to your state license. Fall in that bucket? Be happy with the fact that it is not long and arduous. If you come from certain locations though (mainly those that already drive on the left), the process can be simpler.

2. Driving in Japan on the open (?) road

The speed limits are slower driving in Japan.  Much noticeably on the surface roads but the highways are generally slower than other countries as well. The typical speed limits are 80 to 100 km/h on expressways down to 30 km/h on side streets.

They need to be though. The roads (non-high way) tend to be narrower, especially in some cities (I’m looking at you, Zushi).  There are plenty of “two-lane roads” that can hardly fit American sized cars. Then there’s this:

That’s a roadway. With no shoulder. Or parking.  And yes, those are parked cars.  This is a common occurrence EVERYWHERE.  Usually they are nice enough to have their blinkers on, these apparently didn’t care.  They are pulled over as far as possible at least, though that’s not always the case. Solution? Musical lanes.

Speaking of musical lanes, on the way to ascend to the 5th station of Mount Fuji there are grooves cut in the road that play music!  But I digress…More! It’s everywhere! Sometimes we half lane it.

3. Helpful road tools while driving in Japan

The narrow roads make it very hard to see around corners while driving in Japan.  Luckily, we have handy mirrors all over.  In America, these are used in convenience stores to keep tabs on would be “thrifty” shoppers (shoplifters if you didn’t get my drift).

Here in Japan? A very courteous driving tool!

4. A note on parking

Parking is of the utmost premium in Japan.  The pictures above are the norm.  It’s near impossible to find parking sometimes.  You have to do substantial research before you drive.  As a note, unless there is a sign stating you can park on the street, you can’t. Don’t take the omission as acceptance.

So where do you go? Most larger shopping areas will have garages, sometimes free but if you are in a more urban area, expect you may have to pay. If you are visiting, double–check that your hotel has parking as an option.

If you are out and about you can find, コインパーキング or “coin parking”. The name stems from originally using coins to pay. However, remember Japan has 500 yen coins (about 5 USD). Prices can get steep fast, even if you are just there for a short while. Usually they cap out at a maximum.

5. Ready to buy? Registering your car

To be able to register a car in Japan, you have to prove your parking spot will fit the vehicle you choose. What’s this take? A trip to the police station! And not just any koban you see on the street. Once there, give them your parking spot information (i.e. your home address, or a spot in a lot you’ve rented which is also common) and the car you want to buy. They go measure to make sure it’ll fit, yup, to your house. After which time, they will issue you a 駐車場証明書 (Chūshajō shōmei-sho) or Parking Spot Certificate. The cost is about 25 USD.

At that point, you may purchase and register your vehicle. No street parking!! If you live in Kanagawa Prefecture, they have the information in English for how to accomplish this. Most likely because with America’s largest Naval base outside the continental United States, they have a lot of foreigners!

6. Other car expenses

While you can find fairly inexpensive cars in Japan, especially if you go with a 軽自動車 (Keijidōsha) or literally a “light car” which has lower taxes, the costs can add up. There are mandatory 車検 (shaken, car inspection) every two years which will include the Japanese Compulsory Insurance and the combination of these two is very often referred to as simply “JCI”. This can cost anywhere from $300 to $800, especially if your vehicle needs something fixed.

If you need new tires (like I did), Autobacs is a great car superstore with everything you could possibly need for your vehicle.

The annual car tax can run you another $100+ and is based on your engine size, which is why “Kei cars” (the aforementioned, “light car”) are popular.

7. Don’t drink and drive

While this should go without saying, it deserves touching on because Japan’s ruling is the most strict.  There’s absolutely no tolerance for drinking and driving.  In the states, it’s common to have a beer with dinner and think nothing of driving home.  

In Japan, the BAC limit is 0.03% and comes with very harsh consequences. Don’t even take a sip if you are driving.  It’s not worth it.  To the extent that if you went out hard the night before, it’s best to take public transportation the next morning even! Sadly not an uncommon occurrence of people getting popped on their way to work the next day. 飲み会 (nomikai, drinking party) are popular.

8. Highway driving in Japan is very expensive

If all those other fees weren’t enough for you, every highway is tolled.  It is not cheap to drive in Japan.  For me to get to Narita, one way is $50 in tolls.  That’s not including the gas you spent (which is also quite expensive).  You can make it on the train for as little as $20 (there are more expensive options as well).

When going through the tollbooths, make sure you get in the correct lane. The automated gates are marked with a blue “ETC専用” and if you don’t have a reader, you’ll be ticketed.

One plus though to driving on the highways? The highway “service centers”. Well equipped with usually many options for food, whether fast or sit down restaurants, clean restrooms, and even shops selling local products!

As driving on the highway is based on per kilometer fees with the addition of tax on top of that, if you are driving long distance, it’s best to carpool so that you can split the expense.  

How is driving where you live different?

If you don’t have a reason to go South of Tokyo into Kanagawa, you may never get the opportunity to ride the Keikyu Line. But you may have ridden its “follow on” line through Tokyo, or even to Narita. The Asakusa Line and the Keisei line. And if you are going to Haneda from Shinagawa? The Keikyu Line can get you there. So grab your Pasmo and read on for some quick tips that will make your journey easier.

Understanding the Keikyu Line

There’s a few things you need to be aware of when riding the Keikyu line. That is the difference in stopping and how to tell which “version” of the train you are on. It can also dictate your route to some extent so it’s important to watch out for.

Quick Japanese Lesson

Train designators that you should learn are as follows.  For this discussion, they apply specifically to the Keikyu Line but there will be overlap with other train systems you are on.

• 普通、ふつ, Futsu, Local. Can be translated as “normal” or “usual”. This is a good one to know for ramen ordering too!
• 急行, きゅうこう, Kyuukou, Express.  The kanji literally mean “hurry” and “to go”.
• 特急, とっきゅう, Tokkyuu, Limited Express. The kanji in this one mean “special” and “hurry”. That’s how you get it’s faster than just the normal “express” train.
• 快特, かいとく, Kaitoku, Limited Express. This one is sort of unique.  The pieces are “pleasant” and “special”. Google won’t translate that one correctly for you.

Did you notice those last two translate to the same thing? There is a difference, the later is more what you could consider a “super express” and you will see that designation on other train systems.  However, they don’t always use that Japanese. Oh, language!

The colors

Before you learn the Japanese words for local, express, limited express, it’s helpful to have a quick guideline.  As you saw from the above language lesson, it can also be confusing anyway! The English words are underneath but if you are hurrying for the train, that split second to process that information may be the difference between you making your train or having to wait.  Hence, most native English speakers refer to them by the colors in the background. Not to be confused with the different “special” color trains of blue sky and yellow happy, or the love trains.

This will also correspond to any displays in the station as well but sometimes smaller stations will only have a scrolling information screen and will call them out as “local” or “limited express”.

“Black” Train, 普通 Futsu, Local

This is the local. It stops at every single stop. Back in the day when the Keikyu line ran all night on New Years Eve, it was a black train. And therefore was just an excuse to sleep on the train instead of crashing at a hotel because it took forever. 2-3 hours to get south in what takes you an hour on a limited express.

These are still helpful though to get to you between the major stops. Just get part way on an express and switch to the local for a quicker trek for long distances.

“Blue” Train, 急行 Kyuukou, Airport Express

The Keikyu line has two “off shoot” routes that are where the “blue” trains run. One from Kanazawa Hakkei down to Shin Zushi station. The other is from Keikyu Kamata down to Haneda Airport. The blue line is the airport line… slash get to zushi beach line. However, be careful because there are times during the day that the red or green trains do go to Haneda instead of all the way to Tokyo.

Headed to Narita? A few times a day there are direct trains all the way on the Keikyu Line.  It takes a lot longer but is much cheaper than taking the JR Narita Express.

“Red” Train, 特急 Tokkyuu, Limited Express

This is the rush hour train. It runs only around 5 am and 8:30 am in the morning, 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm in the evening. Depending on which station you are embarking from. The last express trains running at night are also reds so if you are coming home super late, expect it to take a little longer.  9:30 pm and on if you are headed north. South they start switching to reds around 10 pm. It stops at a few more stops than the green trains but not nearly as many as the blue or black.

“Green” Train, 快特 Kaitoku, Limited Express

The Limited Express. This train, after the green, stops the least. If you are trying to get to a major hub (Yokosuka, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Shinagawa), this is the train you want to get on. If you are at a local, your goal should be to get to the closest station with a green stop and transfer.

“The Wing”

And just to be SUPER special during rush hour, the wing cuts off a huge section of stops. Non-stop service between Shinagawa and Kamiooka. If you are commuting from way south to Tokyo, or vice versa, it saves some time and hassle. However, it does cost you extra money. The nice thing though, it’s the only Keikyu line train with reserved seats. So you won’t have to worry about standing.

Reading the maps

Pretty straight forward being as they are color coded. You just want to look out for the station name and a dot along with the color. If there is a dot, that train will stop there. The black background on station names means that the limited express stops there.  If you are looking to go long distances, these are the main “hubs” that you should transfer at.

The map will be located at the station but also they are in the train cars as well.  If there isn’t one near the door you are standing at, try the opposite side of the train. The best part of riding the train is there are some great apps to make it easy for you.

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