Japan has a comprehensive system of long-distance buses ( chokyori basu ), including night buses between major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Fares are always cheaper than on the train, but the buses are much slower and can get caught up in traffic, even on the expressways, Japan's fastest roads, especially during peak travel periods. Most bus journeys start and finish next to or near the main train station. For journeys over two hours, there is usually at least one rest stop along the way.

There's little in the way of pleasant scenery along the highways, so if you have a long journey to make, it's worth considering a night bus ( yako basu ), if that option is available. You'll save on a night's accommodation, and the seats recline (unlike those on overnight trains), making sleep possible. To compare costs, the overnight bus from Tokyo to Kyoto, for example, costs ¥8180 and takes eight hours, while the Shinkansen costs ¥13,220 and takes two hours and forty minutes. There are hundreds of small bus companies operating different routes, so for full details of current services, timetables and costs make enquiries with local tourist information offices.

In all Japan's major cities and tourist areas, you'll find escorted bus tours , though these are generally expensive and, outside of Tokyo and Kyoto, you're unlikely to find any with English-speaking guides.