FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
About discounts
- Are there roundtrip discounts?
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It does apply in general, but some of the courses do not have roundtrip discounts. The discount percentage (discount price) varies on the course for roundtrip discounts, so please check each page for details. If you reserved the two ways (inbound and outbound) separately, roundtrip discount will not be applied.It does apply in general, but some of the courses do not have roundtrip discounts. The discount percentage (discount price) varies on the course for roundtrip discounts, so please check each page for details. If you reserved the two ways (inbound and outbound) separately, roundtrip discount will not be applied.It does apply in general, but some of the courses do not have roundtrip discounts. The discount percentage (discount price) varies on the course for roundtrip discounts, so please check each page for details. If you reserved the two ways (inbound and outbound) separately, roundtrip discount will not be applied.
- Are there coupon tickets?
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We unfortunately do not sell coupon tickets at the moment.
- Are there student discount?
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There are courses that do and do not apply, so please check each page for details.
Please check the information about discount percentage (discount price) as well. - Up to what age is the children fare applied?
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Under elementary school students.
- About discount for people with disabilities
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Eligibility is limited to those with disabilities (Physically disabled, Intellectually disabled, Children applied to the Child Welfare Act). Please make reservations using the KOTOBUS reservation center by phone or by coming to the shop. There will be a 50% off discount for those applicable to any of the below qualifications.
- Physically disabled person
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Those who possess a physical disability certificate issued by the municipality:本線、普通運賃の5割引
- Intellectually disabled person
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Those who possess a rehabilitation certificate issued by the municipality:本線、普通運賃の5割引
- Children applied to the Child Welfare Act
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Those who possess a discount certificate prescribed by the head of shelter established by the Child Welfare Act:本線、普通運賃の5割引
- Mentally disabled persons' discount
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Those who possess a Mentally disabled persons' discount certificate issued by the municipality:本線、普通運賃の5割引
* The crew may ask to present your "physical disability certificate", "rehabilitation certificate" or "transportation discount certificate for the rescuer" when getting on the bus.
* If necessity is admitted, discount will apply to caregivers and attendants as well.
* Discount for people with disabilities may not be combined with other discounts.
※シャトルバス区間は除く。
About the bus ride
- What is needed in order to get on the bus
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予約後に届く「予約確認書メール」でご乗車頂けます。またはメールに記載されている「お申込み番号(又は予約No)」を乗務員にお知らせ頂くだけでもご乗車頂けます。
学生割引や障がい者割引でご予約されたお客様は、学生証・障害者手帳の確認をさせて頂きますので、必ずご持参ください。
If you did not bring your student ID, we will ask you to pay the remaining fee subtracted from the adults fare. - What happens if one member of the group cannot get on the bus on time?
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Generally, buses are scheduled to depart punctually. Please be sure to arrive before the boarding time.
- I cannot find the bus stop (boarding location).
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Please check for details of each route in advance by visiting our homepage.
About the boarding location / parking lot
About Internet reservation
- I do not know the procedure to making reservations or receiving tickets?
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You can check for the procedure from How to Use on the page for "First time users". Procedure for reserving a roundtrip ticket, selecting the boarding/arrival place, etc. are explained. Printed ticket is not needed when boarding. A confirmation email will be sent after reservation is made with the "registration number (or reservation number) written on it, so please make sure to print out or take a note of the number on the day of departure. The number will be needed.
First time users - Can we choose our own seats?
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It is unavailable to choose your own seats.
You can make a "request" on which side of the seat you prefer, window side or aisle side. (We cannot guarantee your request.) - What if I want to reserve round trip tickets as a group but some of the members are planning on riding only one way?
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Please reserve the one way ticket separately from the round trip tickets. In this case, there may be a possibility that seat will be separated from each other.
Please call us after making the reservation and we will check and adjust seats. - How many passengers can I reserve for at once?
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You can reserve for up to a group of 10 men and 10 women, or a group of 10 adult and 10 children.
- What happens if I do not possess a credit card?
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There are different payment methods you can use as described below other than credit card payment.
1.Pay by cash at a convenience store (Lawson, FamilyMart, or Seico Mart)
2.Internet banking
3.Japan Post Bank(ATM, Postal Saving Bank Direct)
About payment method - When is the purchase deadline of tickets?
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Tickets may be purchased until 3:00pm of the departure date. Please pay by credit card or at a convenience store.
About payment method - Can I give the ticket I reserved to someone else?
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It is possible to give the ticket to someone else but in this case, please be sure to contact the KOTOBUS Reservation Center by phone in advance and let us know the person's "name", "gender" and "emergency contact information". Please note that the person may not be able to ride the bus due to the seat positioning of men and women.
- What happens if I do not possess a printer?
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There is no need of a printer.
You will be checking-in with the "registration number (or reservation number)" written in the "reservation confirmation sheet" sent by email after making the reservation. Please be sure to bring this number with you. - What happens if I forget to bring the registration number (or reservation number)?
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Check-in may be done with the name of the representative. We may ask you to present your ID when boarding.
Luggage / pets
- How big of a luggage can I bring on the bus?
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This is an average size of the luggage rack on the bus.
Size of luggage is limited to those that fit in the luggage rack or can be handled at your seat.
(* Temperature may be high under your feet due to the heater.)
Due to the size of the luggage rack, if the luggage is determined to be too large to be carried into the passenger area, bus crew or check-in crew may ask to stow the luggage in the luggage compartment under the floor instead. - Are there restrictions on luggage that can be taken on the bus?
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- Cutting instruments
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Cutting instruments and other items that may become a deadly weapon are not allowed on the bus for safety reasons; these items shall be kept in the luggage compartment under the floor.
- Dangerous goods
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Please be aware that there are dangerous items and drugs prohibited to be taken on the bus and inside the trunk under the floor by law.
<Dangerous items and drugs prohibited to be carried by law>
Explosives (including fireworks of more than 100g), gas, fuels, lighter fuels, alcoholic liquids, other flammable liquids, explosive materials, corrosive materials, etc. - Pets
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Please note that pets may not be taken on bus or kept in the trunk under the floor.
Items strongly restricted to be taken on the bus. (Please stow it in the trunk under the floor.)
- Can I stow luggage / items in the trunk under the floor?
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Luggage you will not use on the bus such as suitcase shall be stowed in the trunk.
We recommend you to place a mark such as a name tag so you know which item belongs to you.
Maximum of 2 luggage may be kept in the trunk under the floor.Size of luggage that can be kept in the trunk
In the case of 1 luggage : Length+Width+Height=155cm or less
In the case of 2 luggage : Length+Width+Height=Total of 240cm or less - Are there restrictions on luggage that can be stowed in the trunk?
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- Breakable items
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Inside the trunk will shake easily and heavily, and do not have a function to controlling temperature. Therefore, we cannot stow items that may break easily due to vibration or high temperature in the trunk.
- Valuables
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Please do not put valuables such as cash, precious metals and jewels, diamonds, securities, antiques or instruments in the luggage you are to keep in the trunk.
- Sports equipment
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Ski, snowboard, golf bag may be kept in the trunk even if it is oversized.
* With regard to other sporting equipments that are oversized, the size(length, width, and height) shall be measured and noted to the customer center in advance. - Bicycles
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Limited to those inside a bicycle bag.
* Number of items available to load is limited. Please be sure to check with us in advance.
* Please note that we assume no responsibility in the event that your luggage in the luggage compartment is lost, stolen or damaged.
About changes and cancellations
- How can I cancel my reservation?
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In order to make cancellations by phone, please dial the KOTOBUS Reservation Center at 050-3537-5678 during the business hours 10:00am-6:00pm.
For cancellation from My Page, please login to My Page, go to [Reservation details]→[Current reservations]→[Cancel the reservation] by the time of departure.
* Please note that cancellations cannot be made after the departure time.
If cancellation is not done by the registration time, it will be handled as "no show-up with any notice" and will be charged a 100% cancellation fee. - What happens if one of the group members cannot show up for the bus?
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Unfortunately, cancellation fee will be charged based on the Terms of Use.
Travel conditions Statement - Can I cancel just one way of the trip after reserving a roundtrip ticket?
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Yes, it is possible. Cancellation fee will be charged based on the fare of roundtrip ticket excluding the roundtrip discount.
- Can I change the date?
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In some cases, it is possible to change the date up to one time. Please contact us at 050-3537-5678 for more details.
Others / Terms of Use / Travel conditions Statement
- Where should I contact for operating conditions such as cancellation of service?
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Please contact us as the KOTOBUS Reservation Center. In case of a cancellation of service, the operating company will contact the passenger by phone or email.
- How can I receive refunds when the service gets cancelled?
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We will let you know about the cancellation of service as well as the process of receiving refunds by phone. Please let us know the account information you prefer the refunds to be transferred to.
- Which company runs and sells the tickets on the internet?
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KOTOBUS EXPRESS is a highway bus operated by Kotohira Bus Co., Ltd.(KOTOBUS). Operation and selling the tickets through website is done by SHINNIHON-TOURIST Co., Ltd., the travel company of KOTOBUS Group. Our tickets are sold at tied-up agencies as well. If you made reservation through these agencies, please contact the agency you used in order to change/cancel the reservation.
- Where can I check the Travel Contract, Conditions Statement and Terms of Use?
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Please click the "Standard Form Travel Agent Contract", "Travel conditions Statement" or other agreements you desire to read from the online highway bus reservation website of SHINNIHON-TOURIST. In addition, in order to make reservations using this website, it is required to read and agree to the "Terms of Use" and "Precautions on Use".
Standard Form Travel Agent Contract Travel conditions Statement - Where should I contact for inquiries?
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You can check for information about operation of buses in general, boarding places and so on from the website, but for more details, please contact the planning operation company.
Inquiries - Is it possible to reserve tickets only for the minors and can they travel on their own?
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Yes, minors can use the bus on their own.