Daily Life Lessons · Transportation
Learn which door to use on a local bus, how to pay the fare (pay first or pay later), and how to signal that you want to get off, so you can get on and off a bus on your own when you need to.
How to ride a local bus differs by region and bus company. Broadly, there are two types: "board at the front, pay first," where you enter through the front door and pay the fare first, and "board at the middle (rear), pay later," where you enter through the middle (or rear) door and pay when you get off.
On a pay-later bus, if you pay in cash, take a numbered ticket (整理券) when you board. When you get off, find your ticket number on the fare display (運賃表) and pay the amount shown. With a transit IC card (交通系ICカード), tap it on the reader (on pay-later buses, tap both when you board and when you get off).
When the stop where you want to get off is announced, press the stop button (降車ボタン). The fare box often accepts only 1,000-yen bills, so if you do not have small change, use the change machine (両替機) on the bus. If you are standing, hold on firmly to a strap or handrail.
バスの 乗り方は、地域や 会社で ちがいます。
- 前から 乗って、先に お金を 払う バス - 中（うしろ）から 乗って、降りるときに お金を 払う バス
あとで 払う バスで 現金を 使うときは、乗るときに 整理券（せいりけん）を とります。降りるときに、運賃表（うんちんひょう）で 整理券の 番号の お金を 見て 払います。
ICカードは 機械に タッチします。
降りたい バス停が 近くなったら、降車（こうしゃ）ボタンを 押します。
お札は 千円札だけの ことが 多いです。細かい お金が ないときは、両替機（りょうがえき）を 使います。
立つときは、つり革や 手すりに つかまります。
On a pay-later bus, if you pay in cash, what do you take when you board?
Take a numbered ticket when you board, and when you get off, check the amount for your number on the fare display and pay.
What do you do when the bus stop where you want to get off is coming up?
When the stop is announced, press the stop button to let the driver know.
On a pay-later bus, when do you tap your IC card?
On pay-later buses, you tap both when you get on and when you get off (on pay-first buses, you tap when you get on).
What should standing passengers do while the bus is moving?
The bus sways while it is moving, so hold on firmly to a strap or handrail.
When paying the fare in cash, what do you do if you do not have small change?
Get change at the change machine on the bus, then pay the fare. The fare box often accepts only 1,000-yen bills.
Q. I don't know whether to get on at the front or the back.
A. Look at the signs at the bus stop or by the door. If you are not sure, it is fine to ask the driver before you get on.
Q. Can I ride with a wheelchair or a stroller?
A. Many buses are low-floor, non-step buses, and on some buses you can board in your wheelchair using a ramp. Tell the driver when you get on. Support differs by vehicle and bus company, so if you are worried, check with the bus company.
Q. Where can I find timetables and routes?
A. You can check them on the bus company's official website, in route-finder apps, or on the timetable at the bus stop. Buses may not come on time because of traffic.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original