From Tokyo Station to Tohoku! Many people think of the Shinkansen as the only way to travel. Shinkansen trains, with their short boarding times and speed, are undoubtedly convenient. Still, they are also expensive if you don't have a Japan Rail Pass.

If you are not pressed for time, but are on a tight budget, why not take a highway bus? For example, you can reach the central area of sightseeing in Tohoku, the city of Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), from Tokyo Station in about 5 and a half hours. It might take a little longer, but if you sleep, it'll be but an instant.

The best part is the low price. To get to Sendai, for example, you can take the Shinkansen for about 10,000 yen (one-way), or you can take the bus starting at 2,000 yen! Prices will, of course, change depending on the size of the seats, other perks and comforts, time, and so on. Regardless, the price difference will be very noticeable compared to the Shinkansen.

Are you liking these express buses so far? We talked to Kokusai Kogyo Bus, which operates high-speed buses from Tokyo to Tohoku, to learn more about routes and options.

Kokusai Kogyo Bus operates high-speed and night buses that run to and from the Tohoku region, mainly Aomori, Yamagata, and Iwate prefectures. In these areas, there are plenty of services and from where you can reach many other places in Tohoku. The buses are conveniently located at major stations in Tokyo, like Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Shinjuku New South Exit Busta Shinjuku.

The fare from Tokyo Station to Aomori/Hachinoe Station starts at 7,800 yen. A similar trip by Shinkansen would cost 16,590 yen for a reserved seat, making the bus an excellent way to save on transportation costs.

There are three rows of independent seats in the car. With leg-rests, footrests, a blanket, slippers, and curtains for privacy, you can relax and enjoy your trip comfortably.

You can book your seats online, or at the nearby convenience stores, or through the phone. For more details, check the official website: https://kokusaikogyo.bus-japan.net/

We talked to Mr. Murai, who is in charge of the Transport Business Department at Kokusai Kogyo Bus, about the benefits of using the night express bus from Tokyo to Tohoku, and why he would recommend it.

What are the advantages of using a highway bus from Tokyo to Tohoku?
Murai: You can more efficiently manage your time during your visit because the buses depart at night and take you to your destination by the next morning.

Even if you take the first train from Tokyo in the morning, you will arrive in the late morning. Still, with the night bus running to the Shonai area (Yamagata), Kamaiishi/Otsuchi (Iwate), or Misawa/Shimokita areas (Aomori), you will arrive early in the morning, leaving you more time to enjoy your sightseeing. The travel time is longer, but you won't be bored, since you'll be able to sleep through it (don’t forget your neck pillow!).

Also, when compared to traveling with the Shinkansen (back and forth between two destinations), it will have the advantage of cutting transportation costs.

Is there anything you would like foreign tourists to know about using the express bus?
Murai: Our company's night express buses are equipped with three rows of independent seats and separating curtains, which are rare overseas, so you can reach your destination while sleeping, and get plenty of sightseeing time because you will arrive earlier than the train service in the area.

Also, if you use the train, you will likely have to change lines at unfamiliar stations. Meanwhile, with the bus, you will be brought right to your destination without having to worry about making mistakes or getting lost, even if it's your first trip to Japan.

Please tell us about the initiatives and services offered by Kokusai Kogyo Bus for foreign tourists.
All our overnight coach lines can be booked and set up on our multilingual reservation site. Also, we have installed safety guides in Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), and Korean on each seat to ensure a safe and secure trip.

Furthermore, all vehicles, including additional temporary ones used during the busier seasons, are equipped with free Wi-Fi for a more entertaining and comfortable environment.

Many highway buses are bound for Tohoku. We will now look into stops, travel time, fares, reservation sites with foreign language support, and more.

For the Bus from Tokyo to Miyagi route, the main departure and arrival areas are in Sendai City. It takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Sendai City, and the standard price is 3,000-4,000 yen. Sendai Station has many high-speed buses that connect it with other major areas of Tohoku, making it an ideal starting point for traveling to multiple destinations.

■Stops: Sendai Station East Exit, JR Nagamachi Station East Exit, Furukawa Station, Izumichuo Station.

■Travel time: about 5 hours and 30 minutes (Bus from Tokyo to Sendai Station East Exit)

■Estimated fare: One-way about 3,000yen (about 2,000 yen for early reservation). *When the destination is Sendai Station East Exit

■Express bus company with a multilingual website:
JR Bus Tohoku (English, Korean, Chinese)

■Multilingual booking sites:
Expressway Bus Net (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS LINES (English, Korean, Chinese)　　　
JAPAN BUS ONLINE (English)
Kosokubus.com (English, Korean, Chinese)

Arrival points from Tokyo to Aomori are popular tourist destinations like Aomori City and Hirosaki City. It takes about 10 hours from Tokyo Station to Aomori City and about 9 hours to Hirosaki City. Since it takes a long traveling time, it's recommended to use the night bus.

■Stops: Aomori Station, Hirosaki Bus Terminal, Goshogawara Station, Hachinohe Station East Exit.

■Travel time: About 10 hours (Tokyo to Aomori Station)

■Estimated fare: One-way about 6,000 yen (about 4,000 yen for early reservation) *To Aomori Station

■Express company with a multilingual website:
Kokusai Kogyo Bus (English, Korean, Chinese)
JR Bus Tohoku (English, Korean, Chinese)

■Multilingual booking site:
JAPAN BUS LINES (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS ONLINE (English)
Kosokubus.com (English, Korean, Chinese)

Arrival and departure sites to and from Iwate are spread from the central area of Morioka to Kuji, on the coast. Since Iwate is the second largest area in Japan, after Hokkaido, the traveling time and fares vary depending on the destination and origin point, even within the same prefecture.

■Stops: Morioka Station West Exit, Morioka Station East Exit, Kuji Station, Ichinoseki Station East Exit, Hanamaki Station, Kamaishi Station.

■Travel Time: about 7 hours and 30 minutes (Bus from Tokyo to Morioka Station West Exit)

■Estimated fare: One-way about 4,000 yen (3,500 yen for early reservation) *For Morioka Station West Exit

■Express company with a multilingual website:
Kokusai Kogyo Bus (English, Korean, Chinese)
JR Bus Tohoku (English, Korean, Chinese)

■Multilingual booking site:
JAPAN BUS LINES (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS ONLINE (English)
Kosokubus.com (English, Korean, Chinese)

Destinations from Tokyo to Akita include Akita City, and Omagari, known for one of the best fireworks shows in Japan. The Omagari Station East Exit and the Kakunodate bus stop in Semboku, are famous spots for cherry blossoms and are flooded with visitors from Japan and abroad during the blooming season, so it's best to book early if you're visiting during that period.

■Stops: Akita Station East Exit, Omagari Station East Exit, Tazawako Station, Kakunodate Noshiro Bus Station, Noshiro Sales Office

■Travel Time: About 10 hours (Bus from Tokyo to Akita Station East Exit)

■Estimated Fare: Approximately 5,000 yen one-way (4,500 yen for early reservation) *When arriving at/departing from Akita Station East Exit

■Express bus company with a multilingual website: JR Bus Tohoku (English, Korean, Chinese)

■Multilingual booking site:
JAPAN BUS LINES (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS ONLINE (English)
Kosokubus.com (English, Korean, Chinese)

In Yamagata, there are high-speed bus hubs that connect Tokyo with most of the major tourist areas like Yamagata City, Tsuruoka, Yonezawa, and Obanazawa. Also, some of the buses that travel around Yonezawa City, include stops in Fukushima, making it convenient if you want to visit both prefectures.

■Stops: Yamagata Station West Exit, Yonezawa Station East Exit, Sakata Shoko BT, Tsuruoka Esu Mall

■Travel Time: About 6 hours (Tokyo to Yamagata Station West Exit)

■Estimated fare: One-way about 5,000 yen (4,500 yen for early reservation) *Yamagata Station West Exit

■Express Bus Company with a multilingual website:
Kokusai Kogyo Bus (English, Korean, Chinese)
JR Bus Tohoku (English, Korean, Chinese)

■Multilingual booking site:
Expressway Bus Net (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS LINES (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS ONLINE (English)
Kosokubus.com (English, Korean, Chinese)

Like Yamagata, Fukushima has high-speed bus departure and arrival stations in major tourist areas like Fukushima City and Aizu-Wakamatsu. Since you can go directly to famous places and popular facilities, it's convenient.

■Stops: Fukushima Station West Exit, Koriyama Station East Exit, Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Square, Inawashiro Station.

■Travel time: about 5 hours (Bus from Tokyo to Fukushima Station West Exit)

■Estimated Fare: One-way about 4,000 yen (about 3,000 yen with early reservation) *Fukushima Station West Exit

■Express bus company with a multilingual website:
JR Bus Tohoku (English, Korean, Chinese)

■Multilingual booking site:
Expressway Bus Net (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS LINES (English, Korean, Chinese)
JAPAN BUS ONLINE (English)
Kosokubus.com (English, Korean, Chinese)

Check out this tremendous unlimited ride pass. The ticket we recommend most to foreign tourists visiting Japan is the "Tohoku highway Bus Ticket."

For the price of this one ticket, you will be able to use the expressway bus within the Tohoku region as many times as you want for 2-3 days. A 2-day ticket is 6,000 yen, and a 3-day ticket is 8,000 yen. If you are planning to go sightseeing for more than 4 days, you can join them together.

Also, since the access lines at each airport are also covered, it's possible to go straight to a tourist destination after arriving at the airport. Don't miss out on these budget bus tickets! For more information, please visit the web page below.

And this is it! You can make the most of your trip and take advantage of these budget-friendly express buses to fully enjoy sightseeing in Tohoku.

Text by: ShoePress

*The above article is based on information from July 2020