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About Regional Bus in Japan
Not long ago, most of the travelers only considered taking a train or to fly when long distance trip was needed. Soon, most of us realized that transportation costs were more than the expectation. There is still a big debate whether the Bullet Train or the Flight has the best value for the money. However, when it comes to just the cost, there is nothing that could beat the Regional Bus systems. IACE TRAVEL has the broad selection of affiliated bus routes which you could book online!
Day Buses and Night Buses
The short routes are mostly covered by daytime to utilize the trip as a Day-tour. Anything above 5 hours can be accessed by Night Buses. It is similar to what travelers do with Eurail, traveling from A to B during the night to save most of your time and your travel costs. Now you could do the same in Japan, in a Bus.
Take a closer look at the chart below and see the cost difference.
Popular Routes
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Tokyo ↔ Sendai
It takes about 6 hours by highway bus from Tokyo, so if you choose a bus that runs at night, you can sleep while travelling and arrive in Sendai in the morning, saving you one night's worth of accommodation expenses, while arriving fresh for a day full of sightseeing!
Round Trip Approx.
$82 and up
*Above are just example of best selling routes. Click below to browse your own bus routes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservation
Q. How are reservations made?
A. Reservations can be made from our website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Click the button below:
We do not operate a ticket office and do not have a physical selling location.
Tickets can not be bought at the boarding point without a reservation.
We request that all reservations are made through our website.
Q. Can we make a reservation at the ticket office?
A. Unfortunately, we do not operate a ticket office and do not have a physical selling location.
Tickets can not be bought with cash at the boarding point without prior reservation.
We request that all reservations are made through our website.
Q. Is it possible to make group reservations?
A. If there are enough seats available for your group, then a reservation can be made.
The maximum amount of passengers per reservation may vary by bus.
If your group number is larger than the maximum amount of passengers per booking, then you can make separate group bookings.
Q. Can infants be carried on laps?
A. Most bus companies do not allow on-lap carriages.
It is necessary that all passengers wear seat belts, for safety reasons passengers are not permitted to carry infants on their laps throughout the journey.
Reservations are made for one person per seat, please make sure to travel wearing a seat belt.
* Child seats are not provided. We appreciate your understanding.
For long journeys and night buses, as it may cause a disturbance to other passengers we do not recommend that you travel with young children. That decision can only be made by the parents or guardian.
Q. For what age do child rates apply?
A. The child discount is available for those children under the age of 12.
The child discount is not available on all buses. For buses that the child discount is not available a full adult rate will be charged.
Seatings
Q. Are seats reclinable?
A. As a rule, seats are able to recline
* Depending on the bus there may be some areas of the bus without reclinable seats.
Before you recline your seat, please make sure to inform the passenger behind you.
Q. What is female only seating?
A. This is a system that allows an individual female passenger to travel at ease.
This form of seating makes sure that the person sitting next to a female passenger is also a female or an empty seat.
Please note that the passenger in front, behind or in an adjacent row may be a male passenger.
We appreciate your understanding.
Q. What is an allocated seating plan? How are reservations made?
A. If seat selection is available, you will be able to choose your seat once a reservation has been made.
Buses with this option will display the seat selection available icon.
If this icon is not available then the passenger will not be able to choose their own seat.
We appreciate your understanding.
Q. How about if I want to request that the seat next to me is left empty?
A. Unfortunately, we do not accept requests for the neighbouring chair to be empty.
However, you can book a bus with double seats.
These seats are for 1 passenger but have enough space for 2 passengers.
Luggage
Q. How about luggage size?
A. Stored luggage sizes vary by bus booked.
Please check the specific details for the bus that you intend on using.
(There are even some buses that have no trunk available)
In terms of carry on luggage there is not a specific size limit,
but the passenger must be able to carry it on their lap or by their feet without causing an inconvenience to other passengers.
Suitcases are not allowed aboard the bus as they may prevent passengers from reclining their seats.
We also ask that customers refrain from putting luggage in the aisles.
Q. How about carry-on luggage?
A. In terms of carry-on luggage there is no specific size limits, but the passenger must be able to carry it on their lap or by their feet without causing an inconvenience to other passengers.
Suitcases are not allowed aboard the bus as they may prevent passengers from reclining their seats.
We also ask that customers refrain from putting luggage in the aisles.
Q. Can we store bikes,musical instruments, and sports equipment on the bus?
A. This will depend on the bus booked.
Please check the rules regarding luggage size and what can be carried on board. This can be found on the bus details page.
Although it is rare, there are buses with no available trunk space.
Also bicycles (including folding bikes) musical instruments and sports equipment may not be able to be stored in the trunk of the bus to prevent damage during travel.
If you are not able to store your items on the bus, you may have to find another means of transporting your items.
On-board
Q. Can we eat and drink inside the bus?
A. We prohibit any foodstuffs that may cause discomfort to other customers due to their strong smells,
or foodstuffs that may cause spills due to bus turbulence.
We ask for your cooperation in helping maintain a comfortable vehicle environment for all passengers involved.
Q. Are there any bathroom breaks?
A. Though it also varies by bus, we will take bathroom breaks in a pace of one time every 2 ~ 3 hours.
However, in the case of buses that includes bathrooms,
there may be cases where you will depart after stopping over in service areas to change crew-members.