Overview

  1. On the bus in Japan
  2. Insider Tips
  3. Costs & paying

On the bus in Japan

Bus travel in Japan is a widespread and efficient transportation option used in urban areas as well as rural regions. For tourists, buses can also be a great way to travel off the beaten path and discover scenic places that may not be easily accessible by other means of transportation.

As with everything else in Japan, there are precise rules for taking the bus.

Usually, passengers board at the back and exit at the front where the driver is. Tokyo is an exception: here, it’s the opposite – board at the front, exit at the back. This is due to the payment system.

Insider Tips

  • Stay as close to the exit as possible (depending on the bus, either in the front or back). During rush hour, buses can get quite crowded, and getting off at the front may not be as easy.
  • Use the prepaid card for bus rides; it’s much more comfortable and stress-free.
  • If you have to pay with cash, it’s always recommended to have coins with you. While bills work too, only 1,000 yen bills are accepted.

Costs & paying

In Tokyo, most buses have a fixed fare of about 200 yen, meaning you only pay this amount when boarding, regardless of how far you travel by bus. In other cities like Kyoto, Osaka, or Kanazawa, the fare is calculated based on the distance traveled.

Using a Prepaid Card (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA)

Paying with your Japanese prepaid card is as easy as always. Simply hold the card or your phone to the card reader when boarding. For a fixed fare ride (as mentioned above), you only need to do this once when boarding. For all other buses, you must touch your card/smartphone when boarding and then again when disembarking.

Cash

If you don’t have a prepaid card or the bus doesn’t accept it, you’ll need to pay with cash. Credit cards are almost never accepted. For buses with a fixed fare, you must pay the amount when boarding. To do this, insert the coins into the machine near the bus driver.

For all other buses, the system is a bit more complicated. You pull a slip from the machine when boarding. This slip has a number on it. On the monitor near the bus driver, numbers and prices gradually appear, somewhat like Bingo. Here, you will find your number and see the current price. When you disembark, you have to pay this exact amount at the bus driver’s machine. Throw the money and the small slip with the number into the collection container.

Japan Bus Number System
City Trip Paying Public transport