History of Japanese overnight expressway buses
Started the 1980s to the beginning of the 1990s |
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The Moon Light route: Osaka to Fukuoka (Hankyu Bus)
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The Nocturne route: Tokyo Shinagawa/ Yokohama to Hirosaki, Aomori prefecture (Keihin Express Electric Railway, now: Keihin Kyuko Bus)
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Newly started routes (After 1995~) |
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The Crystal Liner route: Osaka/ Kyoto to Kofu (Yamanashi Kotsu)
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The Nagaden Express route: Osaka/ Kyoto to Nagano/ Yudanaka (Nagaden Bus)
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Brief history of Japanese overnight expressway buses
The history of overnight expressway buses is not
very old; Japan National Railways (JR) was operated Dream buses
between Tokyo to Osaka since the 60s but mainly began from the 80s.
In March 1983 the Moon Light route was connected with Osaka to Fukuoka, and in December 1986 the Nocturne route began between Tokyo to Hirosaki (Aomori Prefecture). Since then, number of overnight expressway buses have increased, due to the extension of expressways spreading out nationwide, the fare is cheaper than other means of transport (domestic airlines and trains) and luxurious passenger services such as independent seats offering, served coffee, Japanese tea, hot and cold water and juice, also equipped with multiple audios to listen to music and video movies to watch movies in the seat, rest room and telephone are also available.
However, after 1993, these services were hugely influenced by the depression of the Japanese economy and, more recently, domestic airline and train fares were reduced, thus many number of these services were stopped, and were joined with other routes, companies such as Tokyu bus in Tokyo, Sagami Railway and Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu in Kanagawa Prefecture were entirely withdrawn. However, there are several newly started routes e.g. Osaka to Kofu, Yamagata; Nagoya to Tokyo Disney Land, presently 100 companies operate overnight expressway buses and about 140 routes exist nationwide.
In March 1983 the Moon Light route was connected with Osaka to Fukuoka, and in December 1986 the Nocturne route began between Tokyo to Hirosaki (Aomori Prefecture). Since then, number of overnight expressway buses have increased, due to the extension of expressways spreading out nationwide, the fare is cheaper than other means of transport (domestic airlines and trains) and luxurious passenger services such as independent seats offering, served coffee, Japanese tea, hot and cold water and juice, also equipped with multiple audios to listen to music and video movies to watch movies in the seat, rest room and telephone are also available.
However, after 1993, these services were hugely influenced by the depression of the Japanese economy and, more recently, domestic airline and train fares were reduced, thus many number of these services were stopped, and were joined with other routes, companies such as Tokyu bus in Tokyo, Sagami Railway and Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu in Kanagawa Prefecture were entirely withdrawn. However, there are several newly started routes e.g. Osaka to Kofu, Yamagata; Nagoya to Tokyo Disney Land, presently 100 companies operate overnight expressway buses and about 140 routes exist nationwide.
Several good points of using overnight expressway buses
Lowest fares
Overnight expressway buses have several great advantages.
For example, when you buy discounted round trip tickets,
the amount of a round trip discount is nearly an equivalent
amount of the one-way cost of Shinkansen and airplanes. In
addition, you can save your money for a night’s accommodation.
However, presently a huge number of passengers and services have decreased due to various discount fares available within limited periods of time on domestic airlines.
However, presently a huge number of passengers and services have decreased due to various discount fares available within limited periods of time on domestic airlines.
Bus stops are located conveniently
Because overnight buses stop and pick up passengers
from several major places within each city, so it’s
easy to get on the bus from these places where rail is inconvenient.
The bus goes straight to downtown without transfer
Airports are generally located inconveniently (except
Fukuoka and some other cities). To take trains and buses
from the airport, but takes much longer in some cities. However,
buses go straight to downtown without transfer, so are very
convenient.
You’ll be able to spend a great deal of time efficiently
Actually, airplanes and Shinkansen are fast, but
are not operated at night. When boarding an airplane, you’ll take
a long time boarding and often time is wasted during procedure security
check.
Overnight buses take long time when moving from one place to another, but are able to use the time efficiently. These buses arrive to destinations early the next morning, so you’ll be able to spend a great deal of time at that particular destination. For example when you’re meeting with your friends at your destination, you can stay there until the bus is leaving... this merit is a great deal for choosing buses.
Overnight buses take long time when moving from one place to another, but are able to use the time efficiently. These buses arrive to destinations early the next morning, so you’ll be able to spend a great deal of time at that particular destination. For example when you’re meeting with your friends at your destination, you can stay there until the bus is leaving... this merit is a great deal for choosing buses.
You can find these buses on the Internet.
You can find these bus schedules on the web. However,
some companies don’t offer this yet and most companies provide
information in Japanese only.
The following companies have information in English on the web.
The following companies have information in English on the web.
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JR bus Kanto (From Tokyo and Shinjuku Stations to several major cities)
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Shin Joban Kotsu (From Iwaki (Fukushima Prefecture) to Kyoto and Osaka)
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Kawanakajima Bus (From Nagano to Kyoto and Osaka)
- Nishinippon Railroad (Nishitetsu; From Fukuoka, Kitakyushu to several major cities)
In addition, you
can get free copies of overnight
bus timetables at terminals of
each operated company. These are
written in details including time
and stops, once you go to the
terminal check these timetables.
Perhaps you can find a lot of
information about these buses.