Japanese Overnight Buses



Japlish terms in Japanese (express) buses

The Japanese language has adapted lots of loanwords that are taken from English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch. Japanese buses also use loanwords. These terms are frequently used in reference to bus- interior and exterior also for names of routes.

Japanese (with Katakana explanations)  

  English  

Meaning

Amenity
アメニティ
High-grade services
It’s a typical Japlish meaning, means high-grade seats, vehicles with comfort.
Body colors
ボディカラー
Bus or vehicle designs
It refers to bus or vehicle designs.
Bus center(s)
バスセンター
Bus terminals/station etc.
In Japanese, frequently it is shortened to BC (Bus Centers)/BT (Bus Terminals).
(Bus) body
ボディ
Body Manufactures
The main manufacture produces the buses.
Capa (city)
キャパ
Capacity
It’s an abbreviation of "capacity" in Japanese, but it isn't a common word.
Cancel Machi (*"Machi" means "Waiting" in Japanese)
キャンセル待ち
Waiting lists(for canceled seats)
It’s also a typical Japlish meaning, means passengers are waiting for canceled seats.
Chassis
シャーシ
Same meaning
The base frame of a motor vehicle.
Closed door
クローズドドア
Same meaning
The bus doesn't stop at any stops on the expressway, e.g. the Sakurajima service, operates between Fukuoka and Kagoshima, will not stop at any place in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Community buses
コミニュテイバス
Same meaning
These buses are operating in many suburbs throughout in Japan, which have taken over unprofitable routes from which private bus companies have retreated.
Cost
コスト
Same meaning
It means an expense to spend on a service, wages, expressway fees, vehicles etc.
Cost down
コストダウン
Cost reductions
To decrease costs such as cost of fuels, personnel expenses and decreasing their services.
Cushion (In passenger seats)
クツション
Pillows
Some companies provide pillows.
Double-decker
ダブルデッカー
Same meaning
This term is abbreviated as "DD". See "Double-decker buses".
Daiya (*Abbreviation for Diagram)
ダイヤ
Timetables/Schedules
It was probably taken from a diagram of train operating patterns. It is commonly used in reference to start of the timetable revision. In Japanese, it refers to ダイヤ改正 (daiya-kaisei, kaisei means "revision").
Double track
ダブルトラック
Two or double routes
I wonder why they are called "Double track?" Buses don't run on a rail! See
"Two routes" .
Fence curtain
フェンスカーテン
Not existing
It is a partition curtain. That is equipped to the Nishi Nippon Railroad company, otherwise known as Nishitetsu, in Fukuoka Prefecture, and makes a semi-private room.
Foot rest
フットレスト
Foot chair
It is located under each seat and makes a comfortable journey. Note that you must remove your shoes before using.
Frequent service(s)
フレクエントサービス
Same meaning
It refers to frequently operated or departing routes.
Full reclining
フルリクライニング
Reclining seats
The seat of overnight buses is designed to recline further than normal buses.
H
Hotels
Abbreviated for "Hotel".
Note: In English, this abbreviation is only used for signs.
High-decker (buses) or HD
ハイデッカー
Same meaning
This type of vehicle is mainly used on daytime and cheapest services. Recently HD buses have decreased their prices.
Highway buses
ハイウェイバス
Express or long-distance buses (Brit also called long-distance coaches)
In Japanese, highway refers to expressways. (Brit: Motor ways)
Homu (*Abbreviation for Platforms) ホーム
Platforms (at bus terminals)
Where passengers get on and off buses.
Idling stop buses アイドリングストップバス
Not existing
These buses stop engine automatically when it isn't driving by red traffic light or bus stops for passenger or traffic jam. Note that in Japanese, "idling stop" means "stop idling".
Inter (changes) or IC
インター
Interchanges or IC (on expressway)
Shorted for "Interchanges" in Japanese.
Junction(s) (on expressway)
ジヤンクション
Same meaning
Places of crossing and adjoining on expressways.
Lady's seats
レディースシート
Exclusive seats for women
These seats are only available for women.
Leg rest
レッグレスト
Same meaning
You can put your legs on a leg rest while sleeping.
Limousine (buses)
リムジン
Airport report buses
In Japan, "limousine buses" refers to airport report buses.
Micro buses
マイクロバス
Mini (or small) buses
To accommodate up to 12 passengers.
Multi-stereo
マルチステレオ
(Multiple) Audios/Music services
Available at every seat and you're able to listen to music watch films etc.

Non-step buses (or Non-sute)
ノンステップバス

ノンステ

One-step buses/Low flat buses (or One-sute)
These buses are rapidly increasing in Japan. Note that in Japanese, "non-step buses" refer to low flat buses or one-step buses. And the term "sute" is abbreviated for "step" in Japanese.
Non-stop (or NS)
ノンストップ
Same meaning
These services go direct to the next destination without stopping.
NT
Not existing
Abbreviated for "New Town".
(ニュータウン)
One-man (conducted bus)
ワンマン
One-man conducted buses/routes etc
See "Daytime" and "Overnight" services.
Parking area or PA (on expressway)
パーキングエリア
Service areas (on expressway)
A parking area refers to just a rest room, serves light meals, and has a souvenir shop.
Reclining (seats)
リクライニング
Reclining seats
All express buses have reclining seats.
Repeater
リピーター
Audio announcer
It is a method of announcements for passengers.
Salon (seat)
サロン
A salon room (Brit: lounge room)
Equipped for several routes, which passengers can relax and can smoke there.
Seat(s)
シート
Same meaning
Seat heater
シートヒーター
Same meaning
Each seat can control the temperature. (Depending on the company)
Seat table
シートテーブル
Same meaning
There are two different types of tables used on Japanese express buses. For overnight services it is provided under the armchair, for daytime services it is provided in front of the seat.
Service area(s) or SA (on expressway)
サービスエリア
Same meaning
In Japanese, it is a facility that is more substantial than a typical parking area. It has restaurants, gas stations etc. And, some routes take a short break there.
Service corner
サービスコーナー
Service area
Offers passengers drinks, hot towels etc. It is provided in the middle or rear of the bus.
Sleeping seat(s)
スリーピングシート
Items for passenger seats
It refers to various equipment (an armchair, a pillow, reclining seats, blankets etc) is provided for passenger seats on overnight services. See also "On board passenger services" .
Super High-decker (or SHD)
スーパーハイデッカー
Same meaning
It is commonly used on overnight services. See "Super High-decker Buses".
Super Non-stop (or SNS)
スーパーノンストップ
Not existing
A type of express service bus. It's same function as "Non-stop services", but these services will stop at fewer places than "Non-stop".
Trunk room
トランクルーム
Bus storage compartment
In English, "Trunk room"  just refers to passenger cars. See "Bus storage compartment".

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Abbreviations for places

Abbreviated names

Official names

HTB
Huis Ten Bosch ハウステンボス (Sasebo City, in Nagasaki Prefecture)
Note: Huis Ten Bosch means "House in the Forest" in Dutch.
OCAT
Osaka City Air Terminal 大阪シティエアーターミナル (Osaka City, above JR Nanba Station)
TDR
Tokyo Disney Resorts 東京ディズニーリゾート (Tokyo Disney Land and Tokyo Disney Sea, Urayasu City, in Chiba Prefecture)
TDL
Tokyo Disney Land 東京ディズニーランド
TDS
Tokyo Disney Sea 東京ディズニーシー
USJ
Universal Studios Japan ユニバーサルスタジオジャパン (Osaka City)
YCAT
Yokohama City Air Terminal 横浜シティエアーターミナル (Yokohama City, next to Yokohama Station)

Note: These abbreviations mostly appear on timetables.

Source: Glossaries of express buses http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~a19064/yougo.html (in Japanese) etc.



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