All Reviews of Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal

When I was a student, I once took an overnight bus from Kyoto. I fell asleep and woke up in Shinjuku, Tokyo. At the time, I thought it was the most affordable way to travel. It saved me the cost of a night's accommodation and left the entire day free for exploring. Looking back now, it's hard to imagine still being able to travel so carefree on an overnight bus, but that memory is also one of the truest reminders of my youth. Today, Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal remains a major transportation hub in Tokyo, connecting the city with destinations throughout Japan and carrying countless travelers as they depart and arrive.

For this trip to Mount Fuji, I chose to take a highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (BUSTA Shinjuku), and it was really convenient for independent travelers! BUSTA Shinjuku is right next to Shinjuku Station, so before boarding, you can buy drinks and snacks nearby and then enjoy an easy ride to Mount Fuji.

It was my first time taking this route, and what I looked forward to most was gradually leaving central Tokyo behind and heading toward Mount Fuji. Along the way, the scenery changes from high-rise buildings to more open suburban landscapes. When the weather is good, you may even get to see Mount Fuji from the window. The bus ride itself really feels like part of the trip.

Compared with making multiple train transfers, the highway bus takes you directly to the Mount Fuji area, saving you the trouble of carrying luggage and changing trains. It's very convenient for independent travelers. It's an especially useful transportation option if your itinerary includes places such as Lake Kawaguchi and Fuji-Q Highland.

This terminal is pretty big (I mean in terms of floor space lol). The line for the women’s restroom was all the way outside, and I was worried I’d miss my bus, so I didn’t go~
There are lots of ticket machines, and inside this fairly large terminal there’s also a convenience store!
I got really lucky that day—there were only one or two seats left both ways. It was a super last-minute decision to go see Mt. Fuji!
My physical condition was really bad though... and sure enough, I kept getting nosebleeds over there 😔
*Just a heads-up for everyone: the charging ports on both my outbound and return buses were USB!*
I brought the wrong thing, and the one in the photo was borrowed from the person next to me. Turns out they were Chinese lol.
I was originally going to ask to borrow a cable, but they straight-up gave me a power bank instead! I’m seriously so grateful. Totally unrelated, but they nodded off all the way onto my shoulder hahaha—they were sleeping super deeply, which means the driver was really smooth~

Shinjuku is already lively at night, and BUSTA Shinjuku looks even more impressive under the lights. With so many travelers coming and going with their luggage, you can really feel the energy of Tokyo as an international metropolis.

You can catch buses to sightseeing spots around Tokyo, and it’s also pretty convenient for getting to the airport.
The 3rd floor is for arrivals and the 4th floor is for departures. It’s also connected to the shopping complex next door, so if you have time, you can do a little shopping too!

Taking an overnight bus from here is really convenient. You can board right here without having to go somewhere else, which saves a lot of time. The only downside is that it gets really crowded, especially on holidays, so it can feel a bit packed. Overall, I’d still definitely recommend it.

BUSTA Shinjuku is super convenient for transportation. The facilities are modern and clean, and the waiting area is spacious and comfortable. Information is clear and easy to understand. It's the perfect starting point for highway buses to all parts of Japan. Highly recommend!