Can you take luggage on Japanese buses?

All carry-on luggage must fit into the overhead rack or under your seat. Please note that some seats have heaters under them, which may cause that area to heat up considerably. In some cases, the check-in crew or the bus driver may ask you to put your carry-on luggage in the trunk.



People Also Ask

Luggage pieces less than 160 cm (sum of height x length x width) can be brought aboard without prior reservation. For luggage pieces between 160 cm – 250 centimetres, a prior reservation is required, which can be made for free.

MORE DETAILS

On trains. There is not much room for large suitcases on urban and long-distance trains especially during rush hours. Some exceptions are airport trains such as the Narita Express and Haruka, and an increasing number of shinkansen in eastern Japan, which have designated storage space for large luggage.

MORE DETAILS

Please do not place your belongings in the aisle or on empty seats. Please place them on your knees or at your feet. Smoking and drinking alcohol inside the bus is strictly prohibited. Please refrain from speaking in loud voices so that you don't disturb the other passengers.

MORE DETAILS

Luckily for us, the general etiquette for bus passengers is largely the same as train etiquette. As on the trains, smoking, eating, and drinking are largely frowned upon. Additionally, talking on the phone on the bus is generally seen as rude.

MORE DETAILS

As for other (non-shinkansen) trains in Japan: while some do have some space overhead for small bags, many have none at all. For all of these reasons, we recommend traveling either with a small rolling suitcase or backpack, if at all possible.

MORE DETAILS

During rush hour in Japan, it is best to avoid traveling with a large suitcase if possible. However, if you must travel with a big suitcase, aim for the very front or back carriages, where there may be more space.

MORE DETAILS

You are still allowed to carry on two pieces of baggage weighing 30 kg or less and with total dimensions of 250 cm or less and a maximum length of 200 cm. However, you need to reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or a seat with an oversized baggage compartment if you intend to travel with oversized baggage.

MORE DETAILS

Luggage Size For our tours, we recommend one medium-sized suitcase that is about 25 inches or smaller, and one backpack. The 25-inch suitcase is the ideal size because it fits in the overhead luggage compartment on the Shinkansen, and it's under the size restriction for large suitcases.

MORE DETAILS

North America excluding Mexico - International
  1. 1 Carry-On Bag. Store under your seat or in the overhead baggage compartment above your seat.
  2. 1 Stored Bag. Store in the baggage compartment before you enter the bus. Please be sure your name and contact information is on your bag (and inside your bag).


MORE DETAILS

When the wheelchair bay is free, it can be possible to put large bags there. Buses are not designed to accommodate large items of luggage as there main purpose is to enable passengers to hop on and off over short distances and as coaches and shuttle services provide more customised options.

MORE DETAILS

Narcotics such as opium, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, magic mushrooms, stimulant drugs (stimulant drugs contained in an inhaler or items containing stimulant drug ingredients), cannabis, opium smoking paraphernalia and psychotropic drugs are not allowed in Japan.

MORE DETAILS

The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. Cash is often the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, smaller restaurants and small shops. Many lockers also require coins.

MORE DETAILS

Passport/Carrying Identification Make sure you carry your passport at all times during your trip to Japan. It is a legal requirement and local police may ask to check your identification. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

MORE DETAILS

While flip flops are a big no-no for most occasions (save for a trip to the beach or a midnight run to the conbini), comfy ballet flats, loafers, boat shoes, or even a nice pair of slip-on sneakers are practical options. You might also notice that open-toed shoes and sandals are uncommon.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, drinking water from taps in Japan is safe. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water in Japan. Metro train stations have public water fountains, but otherwise these can be hard to find (this is the land of vending machines after all).

MORE DETAILS