1.
overnight bus; night bus
A long-distance bus that travels overnight, typically departing in the late evening and arriving at the destination the next morning. A popular budget travel option in Japan.
夜行バスで大阪に行く。
I'm going to Osaka by overnight bus.
夜行バスは新幹線より安いが、体が疲れる。
The overnight bus is cheaper than the bullet train, but it's tiring.
学生の頃はよく夜行バスで東京から京都まで往復していた。
When I was a student, I often took the overnight bus round-trip between Tokyo and Kyoto.
Composed of 夜行 (night travel) + バス (bus). A major mode of budget long-distance travel in Japan, especially popular among students and young travelers. Routes connect major cities like Tokyo-Osaka, Tokyo-Kyoto, and many others.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 夜行バスに乗る: to ride an overnight bus
- 夜行バスを予約する: to book an overnight bus
- 夜行バスの料金: overnight bus fare
- 夜行バスで移動する: to travel by overnight bus
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 高速バス: highway bus — a broader category that includes both daytime and overnight services
- 夜行列車: night train — the rail equivalent, now rare in Japan
- 深夜バス: late-night bus — typically refers to urban buses running past midnight, not long-distance
CULTURAL NOTE:
Japanese 夜行バス services range from basic economy seats to luxury options with private compartments. They are especially busy during holiday seasons like 年末年始 (New Year) and お盆.