This is a two part question:
I have been researching inexpensive methods of transportation within Japan, and couldn't help but notice that there are some overnight buses that are specified as "women only." I am wondering if this is just for the sake of privacy/modesty, or if I should be genuinely concerned about taking the (non-female only) bus alone as a woman. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
My situation is as follows: I need to be in Nagasaki on July 29th for orientation to a teaching program I am participating in. Against the advice of the program coordinators, I purchased a ticket bringing me into Tokyo. Even coming from New York City with a student discount, tickets to anywhere else besides Tokyo were far too expensive. I will arrive on the eve of the 27th (17:00) giving me a day and a half to get to Nagasaki (probably via Osaka) Since I will not be traveling around until the last two weeks of my stay, I am going to refrain from purchasing a Rail Pass until then. So, I am looking for the most affordable way to get to Nagasaki.
I have ridden in "ladies only" cars on trains & subways & have stayed on a "ladies only" floor in the Shinjuku Washington Hotel but I have never heard of the "ladies only" buses. I am sure they exist, however, as women feel more comfortable around their own kind, especially when they will be sleeping on a long-distance bus (you'd be surprised how much groping goes on in this country!). That said, I know many many women who have traveled solo on those overnight buses without incident.
One option is to fly to Fukuoka- might be cheaper than taking the Shinkansen and would save you a great deal of time. Your other option may be an overnight bus, if they have that route. Quite a long journey, though...
If you are flying into Tokyo on a Star Alliance carrier (United, ANA) or a One World carrier (American, JAL), you can buy as few or as many one way domestic air tickets on ANA (Star Alliance) or JAL (One World) as you want for approximately Y10,000-Y11,000 each. This would clearly be the best "bang for your buck." You have to buy these tickets before you arrive in Japan, I believe.
If you arrive in Japan on another carrier, like Northwest, your options aren't quite as good, but you can still buy tickets for about Y12,500 each way, provided that you buy at least two of them.
I have travelled on the overnight buses by myself and know plenty of other women who have. I had never heard of the "Women only" buses either (both Cocodrilo and I are long term residents in Japan). You don't need to be concerned about taking the ordinary buses, but if you are worried, by all means take the women only one.
I haven't heard of them either.<BR><BR>If there the bus is a 4 seats across bus meaning you will be sitting next to <BR>someone long distance buses usually have a policy of asking for the sex of<BR>the passenger so as that they don't put men and women next to each other.<BR>(obviously fine if you are traveling with a man but they don't tend to put you<BR>next to an unknown person of the opposite sex.)<BR><BR>Many buses are 3 across with 2 aisles so you don't sit next to anyone.
There are 'ladies-only' highway sleeper services on the busy Tokyo to Kansai route. 'Ladies Dream' runs once a day to Osaka and Kyoto (and vice versa), but it's an additional service to the regular one. For example, 2210 from Tokyo to Osaka has both a normal bus and a 'ladies only' bus - you specify when you buy your ticket as all seats are reservation-only.
I'd fly myself, taking advantage of special fares for overseas visitors. There are direct Tokyo Haneda to Nagasaki flights, 4x daily on JAL and 10x daily (some on codeshare with Skynet Asia SNA) on ANA. Unfortunately, because of black-out period, you can only use Oneworld Yokoso Visit Japan fare and your incoming flight must be on a Oneworld carrier (10,000 yen one-way). If you aren't eligible, booking at least 7 days in advance will give you a one-way fare of 23,200 yen, 28,200 yen booking at least a day in advance. As you are travelling in peak summer weekend, you should phone up JAL or ANA reservation line now, as cheaper fares are capacity-controlled.
You may save a bit by travelling by bus - overnight to Hakata (Fukuoka) and day bus to Nagasaki, gruelling 14 hours plus 3 hours on board, costing 15,000 yen plus 2,500 yen one way and 27,000 yen plus 4,500 yen r/t. If you aren't flying, JR Pass will make more sense, but it depends on what kind of visa you are travelling on. If you are coming on a work visa of any kind, you aren't eligible - only 90 day visitor's visa obtained when you land allows you to buy your exchange order in US and change for the actual pass in Japan.
trusted partner
