Group bus pickup in Shinjuku

Where groups usually meet in Shinjuku

The large hotels in West Shinjuku generally have driveways or forecourts where a coach can load, but each hotel decides what size of vehicle it accepts and when. We ask the hotel before confirming, and if a full-size coach is not welcome, we suggest a nearby side street or a smaller vehicle.

Shinjuku Station has a public expressway bus terminal, but it serves scheduled routes. A charter coach normally cannot wait at the station exits or use that terminal, so we never plan a pickup "in front of the station". If your group is spread across several small hotels, it is usually easier to gather everyone at one hotel lobby first.

Timing and traffic

• Weekday mornings are congested on the Shuto Expressway; for an airport departure, allow extra time on top of the typical drive.
• For day trips to Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko or Hakone, an early start from Shinjuku avoids the heaviest traffic on the Chuo and Tomei expressways.
• Evenings around Kabukicho and the east side are busy with taxis and pedestrians; a hotel on the west side is easier for a late return.

Luggage

Coaches carry suitcases in an underfloor hold; minibuses have less space and sometimes none. Tell us the number of large suitcases, not only the number of people. On a hotel driveway, ask the bell staff to bring bags down before the coach arrives so loading is quick.

Tips for group leaders

• Share one meeting time, ten to fifteen minutes before departure, and a clear meeting spot such as a named hotel entrance.
• Keep a list of passengers so you can count heads before the coach leaves.
• If someone is late, call the coordinator rather than asking the driver to wait on a busy street.