History of Japanese overnight buses
Started between the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s |
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The Moon Light bus which operates between Osaka and Fukuoka (Hankyu Bus)
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The Nocturne bus which operates between Tokyo Shinagawa-Yokohama and Hirosaki (Keihin Kyuko Bus)
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Newly started services (After 1995~) |
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The Crystal Liner bus which operates Osaka, Kyoto and Kofu (Yamanashi Kotsu)
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The Osaka, Kyoto ‹–› Toyama service, operated by Toyama Chiho Railway
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Brief history to an Japanese overnight bus
The history of overnight buses is not
very old; the Japan National Railways (JR) was operated Dream buses
between Tokyo and Osaka since the 1960s but mainly began from the 1980s.
In March 1983 the Moon Light service was connected with Osaka to Fukuoka, and in December 1986 the Nocturne service began between Tokyo and Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture. Since then, number of overnight 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, toilet 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companies such as Tokyu Bus in Tokyo, Sagami Railway and Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu in Kanagawa Prefecture were entirely withdrawn.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. between Osaka and Kofu, Osaka and Yamagata, and Nagoya and Tokyo Disney Land etc, presently 100 companies operate overnight buses and about 140 routes exist nationwide.
In March 1983 the Moon Light service was connected with Osaka to Fukuoka, and in December 1986 the Nocturne service began between Tokyo and Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture. Since then, number of overnight 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, toilet 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. between Osaka and Kofu, Osaka and Yamagata, and Nagoya and Tokyo Disney Land etc, presently 100 companies operate overnight buses and about 140 routes exist nationwide.
Several good points of using an overnight bus
Lowest fares
Overnight 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, Osaka)
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The Alpico Group (Kawanakajima Bus and Matsumoto Electric Railway; From Nagano, Matsumoto to Kyoto, Osaka)
- Nishi Nippon Railroad (the Nishitetsu Group; 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.