In Tokyo, Osaka and some other large cities, buses serve as a secondary means of public transportation, complementing the train and subway networks. In cities with less dense train networks like Kyoto, buses are the main means of public transportation. Buses also serve smaller towns, the countryside and national parks.
Using buses in Japan can be intimidating to foreign tourists (and even Japanese people) because there are different ticketing systems depending on the company, and recognizing the stop that you want to get off can be challenging. While some bus companies do a good job at providing English signage, timetables and announcements, many buses lack any English information, altogether. Below is a description of the most common system, followed by notes about exceptions:
1. Enter the bus through the back door.
2. When entering, pick up a ticket from a small machine next to the door. A number is printed on the ticket, which you will later use to determine your fare. If you use an IC card to pay the fare, touch your card against the sensor.
3. A display above the driver shows the next stop and the fares for that stop in yen. To determine your fare, match the number on your ticket with the number and fare on the display. If you use an IC card, then you do not have to worry about this.
4. When your stop is approaching, press one of the buttons on the wall to signal the driver that you wish to get off at the next stop.
5. If you do not have the exact fare, use the changing machine to get small coins.
6. When getting off, put your ticket and the exact fare into the box next to the driver. If you use an IC card, touch the card against the reader near the driver.
富士市岩松北地區路線圖田子浦地區路線圖
富士宮市白絲瀑布時刻表
Highway buses (高速バス, kōsoku bus) are an inexpensive alternative to trains for long and medium distance travel in Japan. On longer distances many highway buses travel overnight. While buses tend to be slower than express trains, they are usually considerably cheaper. Especially on competitive routes, discount fares have dropped to very low levels. There is also the Japan Bus Pass which allows for very cheap bus travel.
Regular Tickets
On most routes, three types of tickets are available: one way tickets, round trip tickets and booklets of multiple tickets:
Round trip tickets are typically around ten percent cheaper than two one way tickets. However, the return trip has to be made within a certain time frame, typically within six to ten days following the outward journey.
Booklets of multiple tickets (kaisuken) usually include four or five tickets which can be used in either direction and are discounted by about ten percent compared to single tickets. The tickets need to be used within a certain time frame, typically within three months of purchase.
Discounts are also usually available for children (aged 6-12), students and groups. In recent years, some bus companies have started to offer discounts on tickets purchased far in advance, for example more than 7 or 21 days before travel date.
How to buy bus tickets
Bus ticket can usually be purchased at major bus terminals, by phone (often in Japanese only, see phone numbers on the bus operators' websites), at convenience stores (using a terminal with instructions in Japanese), through travel agents or online (usually in Japanese only). The websites by Willer Express and Japan Bus Online allow for online reservations in English, while tickets for JR highway buses can also be purchased at ticket counters of JR stations across Japan.
Seat reservations
Many long distance buses, especially overnight buses, require advance seat reservations. It is recommended to make reservation early for popular routes and during busy travel seasons. However, if the bus is not booked out, it is usually possible to purchase a ticket just prior to departure at the bus terminal. On some shorter bus lines, seat reservations are not possible.
三島～河口湖
成田空港～御殿場・沼津・富士・富士宮
新宿駅・渋谷駅～三島・沼津
東京～沼津
東京駅～富士・富士宮
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富士宮市
強力君路線介紹等等的文字內容。
静岡駅・新富士駅～富士駅・富士宮駅～富士山富士宮口五合目 平成28年4月29日より運行開始平成28年7月9日から水ヶ塚バス停にも一部バスが停車します。水ヶ塚付近の散策は こちらの特集ページをご覧下さい。
往復乗車券 新富士駅・富士駅・富士宮駅でのみの販売 上記のバス停～富士宮口五合目 大人3,100円 小人1,550円 その他はバス車内の表示によります。
