How to Ride City Buses in Japan

Riding city buses in Japan can be tricky for someone visiting for the first time. But with some preparation, you’ll find that they’re a great way to get around.

Paying for the Bus

Cash

The fare for riding a city bus in Japan is paid at the front of the bus. Next to the bus driver is a large rectangular box with a clear receptacle on top. This is where you can drop your exact change.

Pay Fare on Japanese City Bus | Original Photo by Rog01 | CC BY-SA 2.0

The large rectangular box also has a coin slot on the side, just in case you don’t have exact change for your fare. You can use this to change 500, 100, and 50 yen coins to smaller denominations. Keep in mind that bills aren’t always accepted, and the bus driver can’t make change.

NOTE: Make sure you have coins to pay the fare. Bills aren’t always accepted on buses in Japan. The bus driver will not change any money. It can only be done with the machine next to the bus driver.

IC Cards

On many buses in Japan, you can also pay with a Suica, Pasmo, or local IC cards. You’ll find the IC card scanner on top of the large rectangular box next to the clear receptacle. Simply tap the card as you get off the bus.

Becki Waiting At Bus Stop Holding Commuter Pass

Becki, in 2005, waiting at a bus stop holding her commuter pass

Day Passes

Some cities, like Nikko, Kyoto and Kanazawa, offer day passes for buses. These cards usually have the date of use printed on it in large block characters. Simply show this, with the date visible, to the bus driver and exit the bus.

Waiting for the Bus

Each bus stop has a list of the bus numbers that drop-off and pick-up at that location. You’ll also find a bus schedule with departure times.

When waiting for the bus, stand in a line. If you’re unsure where the line starts, politely ask others who are waiting. You can also look for marks on the ground that indicate where to queue.

NOTE: When the bus first arrives, it’ll allow people to disembark before opening the door to enter. Just wait patiently. The bus isn’t going to leave you. Entering the bus from the exit door is not allowed and will only irritate the driver.

Getting On the Bus

When the bus arrives, it’ll stop with the door right at the pick-up, drop-off point. Different buses may have different entry and exit points, so pay attention. If the front door is the entrance, you’ll need to pay as you get on.

Bus at Nakatsugawa Train Station

If the middle door is the entrance, you’ll pay as you get off. While getting on the bus, keep an eye out for a brightly colored box with a number ticket hanging out of it. If you’re paying cash, you’ll need to grab one of these tickets. If you’re paying with an IC card, then you’ll have to tap the card reader as you get on the bus.

Ticket Machine at Entrance of Bus | Wakkubox, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The number on the ticket indicates where you got on the bus. It also corresponds with a monitor, located above the windshield, that informs you of your fare.

Price of Bus Fare Matches Number on Ticket | Cassiopeia sweet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Once on the bus, move inside to make room for other passengers. Buses in Japan can get quite full, so be prepared to squeeze in and make space for others. Only the bus driver decides when the bus is full.

Stop Request Button on Japanese City Buses

When you get near your destination, press the stop button. You’ll want to press the button after leaving the bus stop before your destination bus stop. This tells the driver that you want to get off the bus at the next stop.

Exiting the Bus

When it’s time to get off, locate the exit door, which is usually the opposite of the entrance. If the exit is at the front, you’ll need to pay as you leave. If the exit is in the middle, you would have already paid on entrance, so you can simply exit.

The bus driver will often allow people to exit before opening the door to let more passengers on, so be prepared to move out of the way as much as possible.

If the bus is packed, you’ll have to squeeze your way to the exit. Getting off a crowded bus can sometimes seem impossible, but this is the system, and it’s how it’s done.

Conclusion

Using city buses in Japan can be a unique and rewarding experience, but it does require some understanding of the local customs and etiquette. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to confidently ride Japan’s city buses. Embrace the cultural immersion and enjoy the ride!