Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Japan Bus Charter

Quotation and Reservation

Is requesting for a quotation free?

Yes, it’s free. Please feel free to contact us.

From where can I ask for a quotation?

You can ask for a quotation in this site by clicking the “Get a Quote” button. You can find the button on the upper right corner of the site. You can also request for a quotation by sending us an e-mail to (quote@japanbuscharter.com) / LINE.( ID : @trs7593v)

How long does it take to get a response after submitting a quotation request?

In general, we will respond to your inquiry within 48 hours. When you request a quote, please indicate if you are in a hurry.

How long in advance before departure do I have to make a reservation?

We recommend you to make a reservation soon after you decide your trip to some extent. Bus availability changes from day to day and is filled with reservation depending on the day.

What kind of vehicles does your service offer?

We have various types of vehicle available such as Sedan, Mini Van,   Hi-ace Van,  Mini Bus,  Small Size Bus, Medium Size Bus and Full Size Bus.
Please see the following page for the capacity of vehicles.
https://japanbuscharter.com/fleet/

If you have suitcases or other luggages with you, please let us know about the sizes.

Can I request a vehicle that is not listed on the site?

It depends on the area you’re visiting. Please ask us what kind of vehicle you are looking for.

In which locations is it possible to use your services?

Our services cover all areas of Japan.

What information is required to make a reservation?

To make a reservation, we will require the following details:

Pick-up and drop-off locations and times, the number of passengers, a phone number of the person in charge and preferred payment method.

Please inform us in advance if you require any additional services such as salon, a tour guide or wheelchair access.

What is your pricing process like?

The prices of bus and taxi is different. The rate of using the bus is determined by the day you travel, the traveling distance, the total amount of time it takes per day, and the type of vehicle.

When is the payment due date?

Deposit payment of at least 20% of full amount must be made at the time of reservation. (However, 100% must be paid for one-day use only.)
Once the deposit is made, the reservation is confirmed. Basically, the remaining balance must be paid in full at least 20 days prior to the start of the trip.

About Airport Transfer Services

Can I use airport meeting service?

Yes. You can separately reserve an option service. Our staff or a driver will meet you with a sign board.
But whether an English speaking driver can meet you or not depends on the area you take.

Is there an additional cost for requesting for a meeting service?

Yes. there will be a separate charge when requesting for a meeting service.
When you need an English speaking staff, please contact us.
For a non-English speaking staff (driver), it will be free of charge. However, a parking lot fee is required.

Which airport is available for transfer service?

Our airport transfer service is available at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport (Nagoya), Kansai Airport, Itami Airport and New Chitose Airport.
For other airports, a driver who doesn’t speak English will be waiting at the arrival lobby.

What if a plane arrives at early or late?

We will confirm the flight time at booking, and we will be waiting for you at the airport. But when the arrival time would be much delayed, additional fees might be incurred.

How can I meet your driver or staff?

They will be waiting for you holding a sign board at the arrival lobby.

If I cannot find the driver or staff, what should I do?

When you use airport transfer service, we will tell you the telephone number,  in this case, please contact us as soon as possible.
After contacting us, please wait until our staff comes to meet you at our specified place.
If you leave the airport before our staff comes to meet you, we cannot refund the total fee for the transfer service.

About the Fees

What are not included in the fees?

Admission fees, your lunch and accommodation are not included in the fees.

Do I need to make a reservation of accommodations for drivers and guides?

Basically, the accommodation for drivers or guides will be arranged by our company.
They will stay in the same accommodation or nearby.

Payment Methods

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, we accept credit cards as a payment method.
We accept VISA, MASTER, AMERICAN EXPRESS and Diners.
After reservation, a credit-card company will charge you.

Is it possible to make a payment by check?

Unfortunately, payment by check is not an available option.

Can you issue a bill and a receipt?

Yes. We can send you by email. If you need them, please contact us.

Can I pay by U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies?

Basically, payment must be made in Japanese yen. However, we accept payment in foreign currencies only by bank-transfer.

About the Vehicles

Can you prepare a child seat?

We can prepare child seats when you use a sedan, mini van, hi-ace van. Please contact us if you need. For buses, we cannot set a child seat.

Are all the vehicles air conditioned?

Yes, all the vehicles are air conditioned.

Do all vehicles have trunks?

Full-Size Buses, Mid-Size Buses,Vans and Sedans have trunks. Mini Buses don’t have it.
However, as vehicles with trunks have different capacities depending on vehicles, you may have to load your things into the vehicle when the trunk is full.

Can I smoke in the vehicle?

By principle, it is not allowed to smoke inside the vehicle.

Can I specify a non-smoking vehicle?

For a bus, you can specify a non-smoking vehicle.
You cannot specify a taxi, but we get rid of the smell in advance and we’ll tell your driver you prefer non-smoking car.  Please request at your booking.

Can I drink in the vehicle?

You can drink in most of vehicles.

However, all repair costs will be charged if a drunk customer damages the interior of a vehicle.

The glasses and beer server are not prepared. Some automobiles are equipped with refrigerators, it is advisable to confirm it beforehand.

Are the vehicles insured?

Yes, all the vehicles are insured.
Injuries on board: Unlimited
Property damage on board: Unlimited

About Tour Guide and Assistant

Can I make a reservation for an English speaking guide?

Yes. It’s possible. We can arrange a professional interpreter guide or an English speaking tour assistant suited for your interesting points (detailed explanation about prices and tour spots).

Can I make a reservation with someone who speaks our language?

Basically, English speakers are available.
However, you can make a reservation of other language speakers depending on the necessary area. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Bus Extending Policy

  • If you extended the bus use for customer’s reason on the date of your travel, we would charge an extension fee on the spot.
    However, if the extension is not acceptable due to the next reservation or the driver’s restraint time, we will not be able to compensate for the extension.
    In that case, you must leave the vehicle by the original reservation time, please be forewarned.

About Cancellation

  • Please find our cancellation policy as below.
  • Up to 20 days prior to the date of travel:  5,500 JPY across the board
  • 19 – 10 days prior to the date of travel : 20% of the specified fare and charges
  • 9 – 3 days prior to the date of travel : 30% of the specified fare and charges
  • Before 5 P.M. of 2 days before the date of travel : 50% of the specified fare and charges
  • After 5 P.M. (JST) of 1 day before the date of travel / On the date of travel or No show : 100% of the specified fare and charges

Others

Do I have to tip the driver?

No, tipping is not customary in Japan. We leave it to the goodwill of our customers.

Where can I meet a driver during my stay in hotel?

Please wait around the lobby of your hotel.
When the driver arrives at the hotel, the driver and the front desk person will guide you with a name board.

Can I change my itinerary?

Request for changes will be accepted by the following deadline. (At this point, the change is not confirmed.)
After receiving your request, we will determine whether or not
the change is acceptable.
3,300JPY per vehicle  will be charged for any schedule changes after the submission of the final itinerary.

Request Deadline =>
Change your date of use : At least 20 days prior to use
Change your time of use : At least 3 business days prior to use
Change the places to visit : At least 7 days prior to use

For example, if I reserve 7 hours of use but actually use only 4 hours, will I be charged for the 7 hours?

Yes, you will be charged for 7 hours of use.
If you do not notify us 3 business days in advance of the change in usage time, you will be charged the first amount billed.

What should I do if I left something in the vehicle?

We are not responsible for items lost in the vehicle.
Please check with the driver before he leaves if nothing is left in the trunk or in the car .
We will try our best to locate your lost possessions.
If we find them, we will send them back to you at your expense.