Long-distance buses weren't just for young people | A recommendation for night buses

I rode a long-distance bus for the first time in decades and it was way too comfortable

I don't know why, but I used to think long-distance buses were a privilege only for young people who have stamina and time, but no money. I assumed that once I became a working adult and started earning money, my only options would be the Shinkansen or airplanes. And then, when I rode a long-distance bus for the first time in decades... it was way too comfortable!!

I was so excited to ride the night bus that my mindset completely changed, so this time I've decided to take a long-distance bus for the round trip.

My favorite bus

There are many bus companies, but I personally recommend VIP Liner.

This time, I used a bus departing from Tokyo Station. The reason I chose Tokyo Station for my departure was simply because I wanted to try using the "Tokyo VIP Lounge".

I tried using the Tokyo VIP Lounge

The Tokyo VIP Lounge is within walking distance from Tokyo Station. There are many restaurants, but I had a drink at the Gindaco next to the VIP Lounge.

I ordered the Cheese & Guacamole, which has been drawing huge lines at Dodger Stadium every day, because I was drawn to the limited-time offer.

Using a private room

When I arrived two hours before the bus departure, a private room was available, so I requested one at the reception.

The free private room only has a curtain partition, but having a private space where no one can see you was indeed comfortable. I read a little in the private room and then used the shower room.

Shower room (paid, reservation possible)

The shower room has shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. If you don't have a face towel or similar, you can purchase one at the reception.

I was given a timer before use, and the system was that when the timer went off, the usage time was over, so I showered and changed in a hurry.

I felt very refreshed after being active all day. I relaxed and waited for the bus.

Check out

The system requires checking out 20 minutes before the bus departs. When there is an announcement in the building, those taking the bus gather in the lobby.

This time I chose a night bus for women only, so everyone who gathered in the lobby was female. After checking out of the private room and checking in for the bus, we all moved to the bus boarding area together.

Checkout to bus boarding

When we all went down to the first floor of the building, we were instructed to line up in two rows in front of the convenience store, so we did.

The driver comes to pick us up at the waiting area, but there was a bit of a wait. As we stood there in line, we surprised some salarymen who had just come out of an izakaya.

There were many young women among the passengers. I think the sight of about 20 women, carrying their luggage and wearing no makeup, led by one man, must have looked quite strange. The salarymen who had been drinking were getting excited, joking around and trying to join the line.

When the driver came to pick us up and we started walking in a group toward the bus boarding area, “Seriously, what is this? This line!?” one of the salarymen shouted.

Thinking that from an outsider's perspective it might look like we were being taken away somewhere, I walked past the salaryman.

I wanted to tell the salaryman, “We’re just getting on a night bus.”

Bus boarding to bedtime

You can check your large luggage by telling them where you will be getting off. Once you board the bus, a video on how to use the bus is played before bedtime.

When I rode it for the first time, for some reason the video didn't play, so I struggled because I couldn't recline my seat in the dark (I wonder if multiple bus companies operate them?). This time there was a video, so I knew how to operate it.

I think the footrest depends on the type of bus, but this time it was attached under the seat in front. It was comfortable because I could rest my feet (last time I didn't know how to operate it and was fumbling around in the dark).

The women who boarded with me were probably bus veterans. It is good manners not to recline your seat until the signal for bedtime, and everyone followed that and stayed quiet.

When I rode the bus for the first time, the seats were already reclined, and it was difficult to even sit in my own seat. I remember struggling to squeeze into the gap, leaning at an awkward angle.

Oh, I see. The reason it was so hard to find the footrest or sit in the seat last time was because the person in front had already reclined their seat... It's actually super comfortable if you just sit down and everyone reclines their seats at the same time.

And the sleeping comfort is also the best. I have become quite good at finding the best position that matches the angle of the seat, the distance to the footrest, and my own body type.

For the break at the service area in the middle of the night, based on the fact that I got lost last time, I properly remembered the location and direction of the bus before leaving it (as one should), so I was able to return without any problems.

Arrival at destination to using the arrival VIP lounge

The next morning, I got off at my destination and entered the destination's VIP lounge.

After arrival, you can stay in the VIP lounge for two hours. If you stay longer than two hours, there is a fee, but you can continue to stay.

Using the powder room is also fine, but since it was morning, I was given a timer. It seems to be 30 minutes per person.

Since women's restroom and makeup routines take a long time, I think this timer system is very good. It seems many people head to events, sightseeing, or work after arrival, and everyone was getting ready in the blink of an eye.

The movements of the women curling their hair were so fast they were almost invisible (this is true).

I was impressed by how fast women move when there is a time limit, so I did my makeup, had a free drink, and left the VIP room.

After three night bus rides, I have become an intermediate long-distance bus traveler.

After three night bus trips, I have become a complete intermediate bus traveler. I didn't get lost. I slept soundly. I have acquired a way to relax between travel plans. I am very happy that my options have increased.

When I have my next plan, I will include the bus as an option. Therefore, I want to stay healthy until then so that I can hop on a bus lightly at any time.

I also took a ferry this summer. My ferry boarding record is here.

Domestic travel by ferry ->

Travel abroad by ferry ->

And next, I am planning to use a sleeper train!!

Declining birthrate and aging population, later marriage, staying single, bereavement, divorce, etc. It is said that in another 10 years, half of the entire population aged 15 and over will be living alone (according to population projections by marital status released by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in 2012). Even today, terms like "living alone" and "solo activities" are attracting attention, but by 2035, this trend will likely become even stronger, and solo living will become the standard. This is a record of my solo activities, inspired by "Recommendations for Solo-Activity Women."

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