What to Bring When Traveling for a Live Show and Highway Buses

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• createKondō

Key points for arranging highway buses and how to choose a company

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If you Google for highway buses, you'll find lots of websites.

The one I often use isExpress Bus NetworkIt is.

You can make reservations up to about three months in advance.

If it’s in Osaka, a day trip is possible (otherwise, if it’s not a morning show that ends around noon, I’d have to sleep in the car), so I’ll use a late-night bus. To Osaka, the ride takes about eight hours.

Enter your boarding location (somewhere close to your home), destination, and date to search. You’ll get many bus companies as results, so choose the one that matches your preferences.

What I consider important when choosing a bus is

• Cheap ← most important!
• Departure from somewhere close to my place ← next most important
• Arrive as late as possible (best to get to Umeda after 8:00).
• Two-crew operation
• There will be 2–3 bathroom breaks.
• With power outlet
• Blanket rental
• Women's safety

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I don’t really have a preference for bus companies. I’ve heard from a lot of people that Willer is good, but Willer is pricey...

For women, if you choose one labeled “women-only” (or “women-safe”), it’s unlikely that someone rowdy will sit next to you, so a 4-seat row should be fine.

But three rows are definitely more comfortable—though expensive.

If possible, I think the 'relaxed 4-seat per row' option would let you feel a bit more at ease.

Having a toilet onboard seems convenient at first glance, but going to the bathroom in the dark on a moving bus is actually pretty tough, so I usually choose buses that say they have rest stops along the way.

We'll be stopping at service areas along the way, so you can smoke then. Plus, many service areas are open 24 hours and sell souvenirs, so it's fun to look around.

I also enjoy seeing how the selection at convenience stores changes drastically around Shizuoka.

I even tried buying some local milk.

If it’s a concert in Osaka (like at Castle Hall), just take the bus that goes to Umeda Motor Pool.

Personally, I prefer aisle seats. Window seats can get incredibly cold in winter… I also like that, with an aisle seat, I don’t have to apologize to the person next to me when getting off at a service area.

But if you’re the type who sleeps soundly and the person in the window seat gets off at every service area, it might be a bit annoying.

Well, that's just luck, isn't it?

How to proceed with arranging an express bus

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Access the website, enter the date, and make a reservation while considering the points above and the arrival time.

When making a round trip, don’t forget to book the return leg as well.

When you pay by credit card, a notification email will be sent to the registered email address.

After that, a screen will appear saying to show it when you board, so it’s a good idea to either print it out or save a screenshot.

Also be sure to read carefully the number of days before the change when cancellation fees apply (I think many places charge 0 yen if you cancel up to about a week in advance).

Preparing your belongings

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Items to bring for a day trip

• Ticket (the printed one—like for a live show and for a bus ride)
• Cosmetics and makeup remover (see below)
• Toothbrush set (preferably disposable)
• I’ll bring a small fabric tote bag into the car with the following items inside.
• neck pillow
• earplugs
• Eye mask (if you don't have one, covering your head with a towel is fine)
• wallet
• Wet wipes and tissues
• hand towel
• Mask(s) (about 4 pieces)
• Mobile battery and charger (don’t forget the cable). If they’re sufficiently charged, put them in your checked bag.
• a drink with no sugar

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For overnight trips, I add a change of clothes to this, but I only bring as many pairs of underwear and socks as the number of nights.

Other than that, for outdoors, maybe a foldable hat and something like a light long-sleeve… that’s about it, I think.

I figured I’d end up buying a concert T-shirt anyway, so…

I bring a stole in winter.

And if I expect to get merch or receive something from people I meet there, I’ll bring an extra large tote.

It would also be convenient to have clear folders for inserting flyers and free papers.

When you take a highway bus, you should definitely have a neck pillow!

The one time I rode without a neck pillow, I just could not sleep at all...

It's good to bring an inflatable one that you can blow up, because just having your neck supported prevents fatigue.

You can find them at 100-yen shops too, but I recommend the ones with a small cover for around 500 yen.

And then it’s handy to have an eye mask and a face towel (things you probably already have if you go to concerts) or a thin bath towel (one of those super thin ones from the 100-yen shop).

When I pull it over my head, I feel a bit relieved because it gives me at least a small private space, and since I would rather die than have anyone see my sleeping face, I can sleep soundly with a mask and a towel.

And earplugs too.

More often than using earplugs, I just put in my iPod earphones and keep something playing at a low volume the whole time.

Even when I'm sleeping.

So a mobile battery is essential as well.

And since I won’t use things like makeup tools or a toothbrush set until I arrive, I put them in a large bag and stash it on the overhead rack or check it in the trunk.

A cloth tote bag is handy for holding your wallet, phone, cigarettes, lighter, and drinks or snacks you bought at the service area. Some people use convenience store bags, but they’re crinkly and noisy and can bother others, so I recommend keeping various items in a small tote instead.

Something made of cotton from MUJI or the 100-yen shop in a size that fits B5 or A4 is just right.

Having things like slippers is convenient, but I don’t like increasing my luggage, so when I’m wearing sneakers I don’t bring slippers.

It's more comfortable to take your shoes off in the car.

At that time, for people who don’t want to put their feet directly on the floor, having slippers is definitely better.

As for drinks without sugar, it’s just that I don’t like waking up with a sour taste in my mouth, so if you’re fine with drinking something sugary right before bed, feel free to bring whatever drink you like.

About preparing cosmetics

This barely has anything to do with men.

I always put the toner and lotion I usually use into small travel bottles and bring them—it’s a must. But if you have resilient skin, you can just buy small ones at a local convenience store, so sometimes I don’t bring them.

If you’re only going to do your makeup once, it’s convenient to wrap a little more than a single application of primer in a piece of plastic wrap and take it with you.

The same goes for sunscreen (I don’t reapply very often—I usually just put on a solid layer of SPF 50 in the morning and that’s it. If you reapply frequently, bring the bottle with you!).

I won’t bring any applicator tips like the ones for eyeshadow; instead, I’ll just smudge a crayon-type eyeliner with my finger and a cotton swab.

My belongings

• Sunscreen (wrapped in plastic wrap)
• Makeup primer (wrapped in plastic wrap)
• mascara
• Crayon-type eyeliner (for eyeshadow, a two-color one)
• Eyebrow (can also be used if the eyeshadow is a matte type)
• Nivea hand cream (as a makeup remover substitute; cleansing wipes are also acceptable)
• About 10 cotton swabs
• 2 pocket tissue packets
• foldable eyelash curler
• Folding hair brush
• lip balm

Put this in the pouch and place it in the checked baggage compartment.

On the day of departure

Depending on the bus company, the check-in location may be separate from the actual departure and arrival point.

You’ll receive a notification email the day before or two days before departure, so be sure to read it carefully.

On the day, I often get on the bus after taking a bath, removing my makeup, and brushing my teeth.

Because I'm planning to sleep a lot.

On the bus, you can’t eat—especially anything with a strong smell—so make sure to finish your meal beforehand.

If possible, I'll get it all over with—like I'm even squeezing out poop and pee.

When you board

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After placing the large bag on the overhead rack and getting my fabric tote ready, I inflate my neck pillow.

Neck pillow above all else.

Then wrap the blanket around both legs and secure it.

This way, your legs won’t suddenly fly open.

After that, I just say to the person behind me, “Do you mind if I recline?” and then I recline the seat all the way.

I think it’s fine not to worry about it, since the person in front of me reclines their seat all the way too.

After taking off your shoes, you will listen to instructions and other notices from the crew before departure.

They announce which service area we’ll stop at and about what time, so I’ll make sure to listen (we usually take a break every two to three hours).

When I go on trips to the Kansai region, I often take a bus that departs from Shinjuku and goes via Yokohama. The cabin lights stay on until Yokohama, so I can use my phone as much as I want, but after passing Yokohama the lights are turned off completely and I can’t use my phone. So I make sure to post on Twitter or read blogs as much as I like before that.

Once the lights are completely out, it's mask on → iPod on → towel over my head or eye mask on, and it's hardcore nap time until Umeda.

When you get to a service area, there’s a bit of a bustle and the lights come on, so you’ll wake up for a moment. You can use that time to go to the restroom, have a smoke, or check out the local convenience store.

Personally, I recommend getting off at least once during an eight-hour ride to stretch thoroughly.

The air in the car is kind of stuffy without you noticing, and if you don’t stretch, your lower back will start to hurt.

Also, if you set an alarm on your phone for before getting off, don’t forget to turn it off!

in about 8 hours

From here on, this is how I move around during my Kansai trips.

It usually follows this pattern every time, so if anyone has suggestions like “You should enjoy it more like this…,” please let me know.

I'll arrive at Umeda around 6, so I'll grab something to eat first.

And on the way from the motor pool to my go-to spot for a bite, I always sing this.

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No, really—I’m singing every single time, it’s honestly surprising.

But just hearing about it makes me want to go to Osaka...

I mean, the only one I know is First Kitchen, though.

Thank you, First Kitchen…

After I finish eating, I go to a manga café (I often go to one called Aprecio. I usually choose the tatami-style booth and sleep there) and take a nap.

After taking a 2-3 hour nap, I do my makeup while savoring the happiness of being able to sleep on flat ground, thinking, 'It's wonderful to be able to sleep with my back fully stretched out.'

You can use the shower at Aprecio, too!

After I finish putting on my makeup, I'll go have lunch.

I often wander around places like Whity Umeda, but if I’ve arranged to meet live-music friends there, I’ll just tag along with them.

I'm grateful because you take me to so many places.

I mean, even though it's the same Daiso, the little items at the Daiso in Osaka are all flashy and cute.

I end up buying hair clips and hair ties every time. And the chocolates from that sweets shop in the Umeda underground are so good, I buy a lot of them.

By the time we’re heading back, it’ll already be closed...

If my luggage gets to be too much, I’ll leave it in a station locker.

Live ended

After the concert ends, I’ll grab something to eat again until it’s time to board the bus.

Before boarding, I slip into a nearby restroom—like at a station or department store—remove my makeup, and brush my teeth.

As soon as I get on the bus, the first thing I do is inflate my neck pillow, wrap a blanket around my legs, and get ready to sleep.

Oh, the souvenirs at the service areas are different on the way there and back, so staying awake and stopping at every service area is fun, too.

With that, everyone, enjoy your expedition life.