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Learn Japanese for Taking Buses

The Other Way Around バス — Bus Mastery

Buses in Japan work backwards - get on at the back, pay at the front. Figure out routes, fares, and stops before your exit zooms past. Includes highway bus survival.

122 words · 6 chapters

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Why This Book?

Japanese buses operate on a completely different system than what you're used to. Board from the back, exit from the front, take a numbered ticket, pay based on distance traveled - or maybe it's flat fare and you pay when boarding? Without the right vocabulary, you'll ride three stops past your destination because you didn't know how to press the stop button, or stand helplessly as the driver asks 整理券は? (Where's your ticket?). This book covers everything from city buses to overnight highway buses.

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Bus Basics

Types, stops, terminals, routes

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Boarding Rules

Front/rear entry, payment timing

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Signal Your Stop

Buttons, announcements, timing

payments

Payment Systems

IC cards, cash, numbered tickets

What You'll Learn

1

Bus Basics

22 words

Core vocabulary for understanding Japanese bus systems - bus types, stops, terminals, and schedules.

バス停ばすてい bus stop
乗るのる to ride; get on
降りるおりる to get off
運賃うんちん fare
時刻表じこくひょう timetable
...and 17 more
2

Boarding & Seating

22 words

Understanding the 'backwards' boarding system - front vs back entry, payment timing, and finding your seat.

前乗りまえのり front boarding
後ろ乗りうしろのり rear boarding
優先席ゆうせんせき priority seat
乗車口じょうしゃぐち boarding entrance
降車口こうしゃぐち exit door
...and 17 more
3

Routes & Stops

19 words

Understanding route numbers, destinations, and stop names. How to know which bus to take and where it's going.

系統けいとう route number
行き先いきさき destination
終点しゅうてん final stop
乗り換えのりかえ transfer
路線図ろせんず route map
...and 14 more
4

Signaling Your Stop

18 words

The most important chapter - how to signal that you want to get off. Missing your stop is the #1 tourist mistake.

降車ボタンこうしゃぼたん stop button
押すおす to push; press
次止まりますつぎとまります stopping next
まもなく soon; shortly
乗り過ごすのりすごす to miss one's stop
...and 13 more
5

Payment Systems

21 words

Understanding the various payment methods - IC cards, cash, and the mysterious numbered ticket system.

整理券せいりけん numbered ticket
両替りょうがえ money exchange
ICカードあいしーかーど IC card
運賃箱うんちんばこ fare box
一日乗車券いちにちじょうしゃけん day pass
...and 16 more
6

Highway & Night Buses

20 words

Long-distance bus travel - reservations, facilities, rest stops. Budget-friendly way to travel between cities.

高速バスこうそくばす highway bus
夜行バスやこうばす night bus
予約よやく reservation
サービスエリア service area
満席まんせき full; sold out
...and 15 more

Pro Tips

Take a numbered ticket! On distance-based fare buses, grab the 整理券 (numbered ticket) from the machine when you board at the back. This records where you got on. Forget it, and you'll pay the maximum fare.
Press the button early Press the 降車ボタン (stop button) right after your stop is announced - not when the bus arrives. If no one presses it, the bus may skip the stop entirely.
Get change BEFORE your stop Buses don't give change. Use the 両替 (change machine) near the driver while seated - not in a panic as you exit. Better yet, use an IC card.
Check the boarding door Look for signs showing 前乗り (front boarding) or 後ろ乗り (rear boarding). Getting on the wrong door causes confusion and delays.
Highway buses need reservations Unlike city buses, 高速バス (highway buses) require advance booking, especially for popular routes like Tokyo-Osaka. Book online or at bus terminals.

Why Learn With Our App?

These 122 words are just the beginning. Here's how our app helps you actually remember them.

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Spaced Repetition

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Real Vocabulary

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