10 Best Destinations to Go from Tokyo by Bus
Travel in a budget: Best places to go by bus from Tokyo
The most popular way to travel within Japan is usually by train, as the country has an excellent infrastructure. However, for those who want to travel on a budget, the government also offers a variety of bus routes and options! You can get around Japan by bus, from local buses inside the city to highways or night buses for long-distance trips.
Not all, but many of the highway buses in Japan are large and comfortable, making the trip quite pleasant. In particular, Tokyo has many destinations that can be reached by bus from its two main stations, Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station, which a few years ago opened BUSTA, one of the largest bus terminals in Tokyo, in front of its south exit.
In addition, recently, a bus station with many more possible destinations was installed in the new Haneda Airport Garden complex.
In this article, I would like to introduce you to the best destinations from Tokyo by bus.
Mt.Fuji – Kawaguchiko
The Kawaguchiko and Five Lakes area, known as “Mt.Fuji,” is the most popular bus one-day trip from Tokyo. It’s so-called (there is even a train station named Mt.Fuji) because it’s very close to Japan’s iconic national symbol, Mount Fuji, and is one of the best places to view and take pictures. But be careful, as buses also take you to the very foot of Mt. Fuji for those who want to climb it.
Kawaguchiko is especially popular in Autumn for the Momiji (autumn leaves) season and in spring for the cherry blossoms, so if you want to go at that time of year, it’s recommended that you book the bus tickets in advance. It’s also well known among the Japanese as a place with numerous high-quality hot springs.
Buses depart from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station. The fare is usually around 2,000 yen, which takes about 2 hours or 2 hours and a half. For more details and to compare the pros and cons of trains or buses, you can check this article:
Disneyland and Disney Sea
Disney resort parks, the famous amusement park where dreams come true, are one of Tokyo’s most renowned tourist attractions. Japan is the only country with two parks, the mythical Disneyland and Disney Sea.
▶️Buy now your Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea Tickets
However, both parks are not located in Tokyo; they are in the neighboring prefecture of Chiba, and getting there may take some time. The train is the best option if you are staying near Tokyo station. But if you are closer to Shinjuku, the bus is another option since it takes approximately the same time as the train, and the price is also similar. Usually, a train would be a better option. Still, for people who aren’t used to the chaos of Shinjuku Station and the numerous train lines in Tokyo, the bus may be a more accessible and relaxing option.
Buses to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea run from 6:40 A.M.–9:50 A.M.
Train: 45 min/around 800 yen
Bus: 50 min/1,000 yen
Nagoya
Although less known than other cities, Nagoya, halfway between Tokyo and Osaka, is also a great option to escape the more typical Japan. In addition, in October 2022, the long-awaited Ghibli Park opened in a park just outside Nagoya, so tourism in the city has been boosted by fans of the animation studio who want to enjoy this unique park in the world.
From Nagoya, you can also visit the part of the Nakasendo route that connects Tsumago with Magome; a hike through the Japanese mountains is highly recommended if you like nature and rural Japan.
On a normal trip without traffic, it takes about 4 hours to travel from Tokyo to Nagoya, and bus tickets start at 3,000 yen per way.
Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is one of the top three most visited cities, along with Tokyo and Osaka. Most travelers access it using the famous Shinkansen bullet train with the Japan Rail Pass. But from October, Japan Railways has announced a significant increase in the price of both the Japan Rail Pass and single tickets, so those who want to save some money may want to consider the bus option.
The bus from Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 8 hours, and ticket prices start at 3,500 yen for day buses and 4,500 yen for night buses. Since it is a pretty long journey, the night bus is a better option. There is less chance of getting stuck in a traffic jam, and you also save a night in a hotel. So it’s a win-win.
Kyoto
yoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is one of the top three most visited cities, along with Tokyo and Osaka. Most travelers access it using the famous Shinkansen bullet train with the Japan Rail Pass. But from October, Japan Railways has announced a significant increase in the price of both the Japan Rail Pass and single tickets, so those who want to save some money may want to consider the bus option.
The bus from Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 8 hours, and ticket prices start at 3,500 yen for day buses and 4,500 yen for night buses. Since it is a pretty long journey, the night bus is a better option. There is less chance of getting stuck in a traffic jam, and you also save a night in a hotel. So it’s a win-win.
▶︎Get night bus tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto now
Osaka
Osaka, known as “the kitchen of Japan,” is another major city to visit, along with Kyoto. The most common is to make a Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route. However, some people who only have a week in Japan travel only to one of the two cities, Kyoto or Osaka.
If you are a foodie and you like nightlife, Osaka is your city. As we explained to Kyoto, going to Osaka by bullet train will become more expensive, and the bus will become a better alternative for many. It takes 8-10 hours, and tickets cost around 3,500 JPY (4,500 yen for night buses) and can go up to 12,000 JPY.
▶︎Get night bus tickets from Tokyo to Osaka now
Kamikochi
If you like nature and want to get away from the typical places, the Japanese Alps are an incredible destination. There are many beautiful destinations, such as the villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokoyama, but they require a minimum of 2-3 days to reach and visit the site. If you don’t have enough time and are looking for something 1-2 days, Kamikochi is your place—one of the favorite one-day trips for Tokyoites.
Kamikochi is a place for climbing and hiking, but many people also take a bus early in the morning, get to the main site, walk around, breathe fresh air, take pictures of the beautiful scenery, eat the local specialty, and then return to Tokyo.
Universal Studio Japan
One of the main attractions in the Kansai region, the Universal Studio Japan theme park, has become one of the most popular places for tourists since the opening of the new area dedicated to Nintendo’s legendary Super Mario game.
So many people want to enter the new Super Mario area that there’s a capacity control system, and not everyone can. If you want to make sure you can get in, you have to either buy the special pass (which is more expensive) or be among the first to enter and participate in a raffle.
Night buses leave you from Tokyo to the door of USJ early in the morning, so it’s perfect to be the first to get there and take place on the line!
▶ Book your Universal Studios Japan Osaka e-tickets here!
Fuji Q Highland
Disneyland and USJ are great for enjoying the themed environment, but Fuji-Q Highland is your place if you search for adrenaline, speed, and challenging rides! Fuji-Q Highland offers several world’s record-breaking roller coasters and scary rides. In addition, the park is located at the foot of Mt Fuji so that visitors can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountain on a clear day!
Book ticket ▶ Fuji-Q Highland Instant E-Tickets
The most common way to get to Fuji Q Highland from Tokyo is by bus, and depending on the season, you can even find discounted passes that include round-trip bus fare and entrance to the park. Or if you have extra time, you can go to Kawaguchiko to enjoy the hot springs after the park and return to Tokyo the next day.
Matsumoto
You have probably heard of the beautiful white castle of Himeji in the Hyogo area. Besides Himeji, two other castles are considered the three most beautiful in Japan. One is Matsumoto Castle, located in the city of Matsumoto in Nagano.
This castle is the opposite of Himeji, as it’s completely black and is known as “the Raven Castle.” In addition to the beautiful and historic castle, Matsumoto City is an excellent place to escape the crowds and enjoy the mountain views. It takes about 3 hours from Tokyo to Matsumoto by bus, and tickets start at 3,000 yen.
Where to Buy Highway Bus Tickets in Japan?
In Japan, you can purchase bus tickets at several locations. You can buy them at bus terminals, where ticket counters are available at major terminals. Alternatively, you can book tickets online through bus company websites or booking platforms. Travel agencies also offer assistance with purchasing and planning bus travel. For long-distance buses, such as highway buses, booking in advance is often a good idea.
Japan Bus Tickets
With 1,000+ bus routes across Japan and over 160 bus suppliers, Japan Bus Ticket is one of the best highway bus ticket services for tourists and foreigners who don’t speak Japanese. All the service is in English (and seven other languages), including customer service.
They accept payments with all major credit cards, and the process is straightforward, especially compared to Japanese websites.
After your purchase, you will have all the details and information of your booking in the “My Booking” area. Then, on the day of departure, you just have to go to the indicated place time in advance, look for your bus, get in line, and tell the staff your full name before getting on, and you are ready to go. All from the comfort of your smartphone!