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Travel Inexpensively by Highway Bus! 5 Excellent Destinations in Japan
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Traveling around Japan doesn't have to break the bank. Using the highway buses is cheap, reliable, and now even easier with Busnoru, a highway bus ticket booking site.
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Highway Buses: The Cheapest Way to Travel around Japan
Photo by Pixta
From the glittering lights of Tokyo to the tranquil side streets Kyoto, Japan is full of wonderful places to visit. Getting around to see them all can be both a time-consuming and expensive endeavor.
However, highway buses (or "kousoku bus") are one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to get around. For visitors looking to save their hard-earned money on experiences, souvenirs, or attractions, this mode of transportation is an excellent choice!
In this article, we introduce a highway bus ticket booking site along with destinations that you can easily access by bus from Tokyo and other locations.
Book Inexpensive Highway Bus Tickets on BusNoru.jp
Traveling by Highway Bus
Photo by Pixta
Highway buses in Japan are anything but ordinary. With airplane-cabin-like seating and services such as free WiFi and USB charging for electronic devices, you won't miss any of the comforts that you're used to on any other transportation method.
In Japan, highway bus terminals are located near major stations. In Tokyo, the Shinjuku Bus Terminal near Shinjuku Station and the Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu, located at the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station, are the most commonly used.
Photo by Pixta
Moreover, highway buses that travel long distances often make stops at unique service areas and roadside stations. These stations serve as mini tourist centers offering visitors a taste of local food, arts, and crafts as well as handy information for a second visit!
Booking with BusNoru
Picture courtesy of BusNoru.jp
Going from website to website looking for cheap bus fares and the correct route can be painfully tedious. Luckily, BusNoru makes it easy for visitors to find a highway bus to some of the most popular destinations around the main island of Honshu.
With convenient ways to pay such as at convenience stores and by credit card as well as a handy QR code style ticket, BusNoru is fast, reliable and easy - just like the very bus you're likely to get on!
Currently, the BusNoru booking site is only available in Japanese. Nevertheless, its interface is intuitive and easier to use than other booking sites we've seen. We recommend it to international residents in Japan or visitors who can read a little Japanese.
Book Highway Bus Tickets on BusNoru.jp
BusNoru offers routes that cover many of the major cities in Japan, as well as driving to popular attractions such as hot spring resorts and theme parks. Below is a selection of some of the best.
Travel Inexpensively! Recommended Highway Bus Destinations
1. From Tokyo to Osaka
Photo by Pixta
A frequently traveled route, Tokyo to Osaka can often prove very expensive if you go there by bullet train or airplane. Osaka is great as a weekend or week-long destination for visitors with fabulous food, nightlife, and historic attractions.
It also makes for a great base for exploring other destinations in the Kansai region such as Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe - something you'll be able to do with the money you've saved!
A ticket for a night highway bus from Tokyo to Osaka can be as cheap as 3,600 yen! (*1) The ride takes about eight hours with stops in between. Leave from the Shinjuku Bus Terminal at around 22:00 and you'll wake up in Osaka's Umeda area before 7:00 AM!
Book Highway Bus Tickets on BusNoru.jp
*1 The cheapest rates tend to vary by month.
2. From Tokyo to Kyoto
Photo by Pixta
Similar to the previous route, but for those looking to sample the very best of tradition, fresh produce, and a tranquil atmosphere, Kyoto is the destination for you. The beating cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto offers traditional crafts, stunning historic world heritage sites, and gorgeous seasonal food!
Tour the Zen temples of Arashiyama or sample the myriad of green tea treats in Uji. Kyoto is perfect for a lover of traditional Japan, or those looking for a rejuvenating retreat!
A nighttime highway bus ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto can cost 3,000 yen and above. The ride takes about seven hours.
Book Highway Bus Tickets on BusNoru.jp
3. From Tokyo to Nagoya
Photo by Pixta
Home to sights such as Nagoya Castle and the recently opened Ghibli Park, Nagoya is fast becoming an 'it' destination for visitors in Japan. It is the perfect halfway destination between Tokyo and Osaka but also provides jumping-off points for Gifu and Mie.
It also hosts many great and unique cuisines such as Hitsumabushi - a luxurious grilled eel dish, or the umami-packed flavors of red miso!
The most inexpensive tickets for nighttime buses to Nagoya cost as little as 2,000 yen if booked well in advance.
Book Highway Bus Tickets on BusNoru.jp
4. Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen
Photo by Pixta
Strolling along a willow-lined river after spending a relaxing day bathing in beautiful mineral baths and looking forward to a beautiful meal to complete the day. That is the type of experience visitors can look forward to traveling to Kinosaki Onsen.
Located on the northern coast of Hyogo Prefecture, Kinosaki Onsen is hemmed in by mountains and sea and offers superb natural beauty and relaxation for a weary traveler. With seven different bathhouses to try as well as a number of other nature-based activities, Kinosaki is a great place to visit!
Kinosaki Onsen can be easily accessed by highway bus from Osaka for as little as 3,000 yen.
Book Highway Bus Tickets on BusNoru.jp
5. From Osaka to Kanazawa
Photo by Pixta
Travel to a place where traditional arts and crafts, exquisite seafood, and natural beauty is around every corner. This route offers a cheap and reliable way to reach Kanazawa, an absolute gem of a city on the Sea of Japan.
Visitors can sample the very best that Japanese seafood has to offer, as well as even try out traditional farm stays in the countryside around Kanazawa!
Book Highway Bus Tickets on BusNoru.jp
Want to See Japan on a Budget? Hop on a Highway Bus!
Highway buses offer a unique and scenic way to travel to many of the great destinations that Japan has to offer. They also offer some of the best value for money to visitors who are looking to use their money on experiences and souvenirs for their loved ones. Why not give it a shot and enjoy the feel of the open road in Japan while your wallet thanks you?
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
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