Bus Day marking more than 120 years of buses

Today, and September 20th annually, is Bus Day in Japan. The commemoration was established by the Japan Bus Association in 1987. The date marks a significant milestone in Japanese transportation history. On September 20th, 1903, a shared motor vehicle service began running between Horikawa Nakadachiuri, Shichijo and Gion in Kyoto. The service is regarded as Japan's first commercial bus operation.

The first bus was a modified steam-powered vehicle that could carry just six passengers. It was a very different experience from modern buses, lacking even a protective cover against rain, wind, and dust. Early operators also faced challenges, including frequent breakdowns and competition from existing horse-drawn carriage services.

As vehicle technology improved during the Taisho era, bus transportation became more reliable and spread throughout the country. What began with small vehicles carrying only a handful of passengers gradually developed into the extensive bus networks that connect cities, towns, and rural communities across Japan today.