Written by Carey Finn
A new highway-bus pass has gone on sale, allowing unlimited rides around the Shikoku region. The Shikoku Highway Bus Free Pass is aimed at tourists visiting Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi prefectures.
Following the success of the Tohoku Highway Bus Ticket released last year, the Shikoku Highway Bus Free Pass, which launched on June 2, 2025, is the second area-based bus pass targeting visitors to Japan. The pass allows flexible travel across seven intercity highway-bus routes, in all four prefectures of Shikoku.
Note: Even though the pass is aimed at tourists, it looks like any non-Japanese passport holder can buy it. That includes residents.
Three Shikoku Bus Pass options are available, based on travel duration:
- 2-day pass: ¥10,000
- 3-day pass: ¥11,000
- 5-day pass: ¥12,000
All passes are valid for one month from purchase, and non-consecutive days of use are allowed — meaning you can break up your trip.
The provider behind the pass is the Japan Bus Lines (JBL) Council, comprising 79 highway-bus operators across the country. You can purchase the Shikoku Bus Pass on the JBL website.
Once you have purchased your bus pass, you will receive a digital ticket that can be displayed on your phone when boarding.
Note: There is also a Shikoku Rail Pass, as well as a countrywide Japan Bus Pass.
Source: PR Times
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Hitomi Kuroda assisted with the research for this article.
