800 People Survey: Reasons for Not Being Able to Sleep on Overnight Buses and Tips for Sleeping

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to overnight buses is, of course, sleep. I'm taking it for the first time, but I'm worried if I'll be able to sleep... Last time, I couldn't sleep at all and it was hard the next day! But it's cheap, so I want to use it again...How can we solve these problems? In fact, are other passengers able to sleep soundly...? In the first place, why can't we sleep? If you were able to sleep, what's the secret?We conducted a survey and more than 800 overnight bus users answered! (Thank you for your cooperation!) We'll introduce you to plenty of real comments! *This is the result of a survey conducted in 2015.

１．Why can't we sleep in the first place?

１-１．About 80% of people answered that they are sleep deprived on overnight buses!

The first question is, Are you able to sleep when riding an overnight bus?

Q. Are you able to sleep when riding an overnight bus? (Please choose one)

• Always sleeping soundly ♪ 4%
• Able to sleep most of the time 17%
• Able to sleep but insufficient (light sleep, waking up in the middle) 57%
• Can hardly fall asleep 22%

About 80% of people answered insufficient to hardly able to fall asleep. This means that 4 out of 5 people are sleep deprived after taking an overnight bus. It's quite a serious problem.

Next, we asked them why they can't sleep.

Q. What do you think is the reason why you couldn't sleep well? (Please choose as many as you think apply)

• Can't stretch my legs 64%
• My lower back hurts 50%
• Bothered by other passengers 48%
• Air conditioning (too cold or too hot) 28%
• Shoulders get stiff 24%
• Can't settle down due to the shaking of the bus 23%
• Somehow can't fall asleep 20%
• Brightness inside the bus (lighting, light coming in through gaps in the curtains) 14%
• Other 8%
• Motion sickness 4%

For this question, not only did people choose from the options, but many messages were also received in the free comment field. (1 in 5 people left a comment!) Let's introduce them in detail.

１-２．The biggest issue is posture

Why can't we sleep in the first place? Can't stretch my legs 64%, My lower back hurts 50%, Shoulders get stiff 24%. These are problems unique to buses where you have to spend the night sitting.

The narrowness, the difficulty of changing postures, the swelling of the legs when hanging them down... Honestly, it's far from sleeping in the sense of lying down, which is the hard part about overnight buses. Bus operators are also trying to make the seats as comfortable as possible, but since passengers' physiques vary, it's difficult to realize the optimal seat for everyone.

★ Comments received

• There is nothing to fix the head like a pillow, so my neck hurts.
• The head position of the reclining seat is too high
• My neck gets stiff
• Even with independent seats its hard to change the direction of the body
• Staying in the same posture for a long time, and even if I change my position, my buttocks, etc. start to hurt.
• Poor blood circulation causes my legs to swell and become uncomfortable.
• My legs swell and hurt when I keep them down for a long time
• I couldn't sleep because my body is big and the seat is cramped
• I'm a 175cm tall man, but the footrest and legrest get in the way of stretching my legs, so they are unnecessary.
• Even when I recline, my body slides down while I'm sleeping and I end up in an uncomfortable sleeping position. I'm 170cm tall and I feel cramped at my feet, so my 180cm tall son must feel even more cramped.

As countermeasures, people mentioned using travel items such as neck pillows, or choosing buses with more comfortable seats such as 3-row independent seats or 3-row seats.

１-３．More than half of the people are bothered by other passengers

Why can't we sleep in the first place? One in two people said they can't sleep because they are bothered by other passengers. The detailed reasons were varied, such as smell, noise, light from smartphones, and contact with the adjacent seat. Here are some comments from everyone.

★ Regarding noise and people's voices

• Other people's snoring.
• I often snore loudly and worry about whether I'm snoring or not.
• The sound of other passengers' clothes rubbing, teeth grinding, snoring, sound leakage from music players, talking voices
• The sound from other people's music players bothers me
• One time, the person in the seat behind me was eating snacks until late, and the rustling sound of taking the snacks out of the bag kept going on and on, and it was hard for me to fall asleep. The bus was dead silent, so it was especially annoying. I don't know if the crew is in the bus, but I wish they could keep an eye on the situation inside the bus and warn people.

★ Light leakage

• There are passengers who leave the reading light on and sleep, making it too bright to sleep.
• The light from people using their smartphones in the middle of the night here and there is annoying
• Other passengers using their cell phones

★ Presence of people

• With 4-row seats, the seats are narrow and the person next to me touches me, which feels gross.
• Because I'm obese, if the person next to me is also large, our bodies touch and I can't sleep sometimes.
• I'm worried about touching the person next to me
• It's inevitable, but I often wake up when people move during rest stops, and then I can't go back to sleep.

★ Sense of smell

• Smell (someone wearing strong perfume was sitting behind me)

Some of these can be solved if each person is careful. While thinking about measures to sleep yourself, you also need to consider whether you are becoming the cause of not being able to sleep for others.

２．Teaching everyone's sleeping techniques for overnight buses

Even though it's an environment where it's hard to fall asleep, you still want to sleep on an overnight bus somehow.We asked people what they have devised, and what factors helped them sleep before.

２-１．Results of the survey on everyone's efforts

Q. When you were able to sleep, were there any items that were helpful, things you devised, or reasons? (Choose as many as you like!)

• Choosing an independent seat 44%
• Choosing a seat with ample legroom 37%
• Deep reclining 36%
• Wearing loose-fitting clothes 33%
• Devising a posture 30%
• Shoulder pillow 28%
• Eye mask 28%
• Choosing a window seat 26%
• Cushion for lower back and back 25%
• Choosing a seat with a footrest or legrest 25%
• Music player 25%
• Boarding in a tired state 21%
• Earplugs 15%
• Not sleeping too much the day before 11%
• Warming the body before sleeping 8%
• Mask 2%
• Other (reading, sleep induction drugs, etc.) 1%

This was a survey where respondents could choose as many applicable items as they liked.As a result, many items related to seats ranked high.

２-２．The ideal is a bus with 3-row independent seats and curtains

The top reasons for not being able to sleep were posture-related issues such as not being able to stretch the legs and lower back pain.The solution to that is, of course, seats that make your posture comfortable.

3-row independent seats, which have no adjacent seats (separated by an aisle) and a wide spacing between the front and back seat arrangements, are highly supported for their comfort level among overnight buses.If you recline fully and stretch your legs, your body line becomes closer to straight, approaching a state of lying down and sleeping.

Also, with 3-row independent seats, the issue of being conscious of people around you, which is another reason for not being able to sleep, is also reduced.You won't bump into the person next to you with the armrest, and because there is distance, you won't easily hear things like breathing sounds.With a bus with curtains, you can feel even more at ease with a semi-private room feeling.

★Comments about seat facilities

• I was able to sleep well when I had 3-row independent seats that were also separated by curtains.
• I was only able to sleep soundly when I had a 3-row independent seat with curtains.
• A seat with curtains (partitions) where you can't be seen from the side.

★Regarding seat location

• Seat location (rear: because fewer people pass through the aisle)
• Choosing an aisle seat
• Choosing an aisle seat and having extra space for feet and upper body.
• Leaning against the window with a towel

２-３．Please board wearing loose-fitting clothes

In order to relax as much as possible and rest your body, try to wear loose-fitting clothes.
The key points are:

• Heat retention
• Softness of fabric
• Minimal constriction
• Ease of putting on and taking off
• Wrinkle resistance

• Cardigan
• T-shirt (but not too tight-fitting)
• Long T-shirt
• Sweater
• Long skirt
• One-piece dress
• Fleece fabric
• Pile fabric
• Familiar shoes
• Sandals (strapless type)
• Socks + disposable slippers

• Denim (stiff and inelastic)
• Suit (wrinkles and unsettling)
• Miniskirt (difficult to take a relaxed posture)
• Hoodie (the hood can be bothersome around the neck)
• Coat (unexpectedly constricting)
• Turtleneck (some people may find it constricting when sleeping, but it also has a throat warming effect)
• Boots (feet swell easily)
• Leather shoes (feet get tired or stuffy...)

２-４．Travel goods such as eye masks are very useful

• Shoulder pillow 28%
• Eye mask 28%
• Cushion for lower back and back 25%
• Music player 25%
• Earplugs 15%
• Warming the body before sleeping 8%
• Mask 2%

These three items—shoulder pillow, eye mask, and cushion—make long overnight bus rides and flights comfortable.All of them can be bought at 100-yen shops, and some bus companies provide them as amenities on the seats.If you'll be riding the bus multiple times, definitely get them.

Shoulder pillows and cushions are bulky, so inflatable types are recommended. If you don't have them, there were comments like using the provided blanket as a cushion for posture support and using a rolled-up towel as a lower back pillow.

Music players and earplugs are also recommended for those who are conscious of people around them.Since about 40 people spend time together in the enclosed space of a bus, complete silence is hard to come by.

For music players, even if you don't usually listen to music, it's okay to just put 1-2 albums on your smartphone.When you can't sleep and get irritated, you tend to fall into a vicious cycle of becoming even more unsettled by the impatience of not being able to sleep... Use it as a change of pace at times like that. However, be careful of sound leakage!

★Comments from heavy repeaters of overnight buses

• I've ridden the cheapest 4-row seats over 100 times for work assignments, but I always have these 4 items: eye mask, earplugs, shoulder pillow, and mask.

★Comments about masks

• Masks for cold prevention and throat protection.
• Mask: Surprisingly, the inside of the bus gets dry, so it helps protect your throat.

２-５．Various tips from everyone

★Taking off shoes

• Taking off shoes and wearing comfortable indoor shoes
• The key to sleeping is the position of the lower back and the state of the toes. In my case, I always take off my shoes.

*Regarding shoes, there were a few comments from adjacent seats about the smell being concerning. It's an aspect that's hard to notice yourself, so be careful.

★Warming the body/measures against cold

• Bathing before going out.
• In winter, the window side gets cold, so I lean against the window with a backpack or jacket under my head.

★Moderate alcohol

• Drinking a little alcohol before boarding
• Drinking before boarding
• Consuming alcohol that doesn't have a strong smell (cocktails) in moderation
• I drink a little canned highball and shochu water before boarding, and when I board, I wear a hard mask so as not to cause trouble for the person next to me and fall asleep.

Alcohol is not very recommended.However, in reality, multiple people mentioned it as a method to fall asleep.Drinking too much before boarding and feeling sick, smelling of alcohol and bothering others, having to use the restroom frequently... there are many risks.In the past, I've heard of cases where someone vomited due to alcohol, dirtied the seat, and had to pay compensation... It's best to try to sleep without drinking as much as possible.

★Eating in moderation

• If I'm hungry, I get carsick and can't sleep, so I eat about one rice ball and some pickled plum.

２-６．How to spend sleepless nights

There are times when you just can't sleep no matter what. What do people do at times like that? We conducted a survey!

Q. What do you do when you can't sleep while on board? (Choose as many as you like)

• Change posture 52.1%
• Give up 42.5%
• Go outside during breaks at service areas and parking areas 38.2%
• Listen to music or radio 32.4%
• Kill time on mobile phone 24.2%
• Count sheep 1.8%

The No. 1 answer, change posture, still shows an intention to somehow try to sleep.
The No. 3 answer is going outside during breaks. During rest stops, I eat the local specialty of that service area and have a change of pace, enjoying the trip a little positively.Having a change of pace can also help you fall asleep by relieving the impatience of not being able to sleep.

However, the No. 2 answer is a decisive give up! Ultimately, that's all you can do.

★People who don't forget to make an effort and pray

• I tell myself I have things to do tomorrow so I have to sleep.
• Still, I try my best to sleep for now

★The state of giving up, or enjoying this situation!

• I stay awake and imagine where we're driving now.
• I think about fun things
• I just keep fantasizing
• I close my eyes for now
• Still, I try my best to sleep for now
• I endure it

３．Are you okay? People who cause reasons for not being able to sleep for others

３-１．Even whispering is strictly prohibited! Nothing is more annoying than the sound of people's voices

There were many complaints about talking and snoring.

★Comments from those who could not sleep due to the noise around them

• Female voices are echoing and I can't sleep. When the driver is kind enough to warn them, everyone becomes quiet.
• Other passengers' clothes rustling, teeth grinding, snoring, sound leakage from music players, talking voices
• Other people's snoring.
• When acquaintances were on board together, they started chatting and I woke up early in the morning.

３-２．The light from smartphones is a nuisance to those behind

The LCD display in the dark is as bright as a small light.In particular, the person diagonally behind may feel dazzled.Even without that, the light turning on and off is something that bothers those around.In principle, do not use it, and if you want to use it, take a seat with a curtain or use it a little under a blanket to be considerate of those around you.

• The light from people using smartphones at night is annoying everywhere
• When I can't sleep, I want to look at my smartphone, but I feel sorry for the other passengers because of the light, so I try to hide it with my jacket or something. However, some people use it without worrying. I understand the feeling of being bothered by that brightness. Telling people without morals not to use it because it bothers others is meaningless. If they could create an environment where the light doesn't leak out even if they use it, that would be great. There are cars with partition curtains around them, which is smart. I don't think it can be installed in all cars, though.
• The brightness of the smartphone's display is annoying. I wonder if the person operating it doesn't notice.

３-３．Communicate with each other about reclining

There were many voices related to reclining.There are two patterns of opinions: I could sleep if I could recline fully or I had little leg room because the person in front of me reclined too much.

The important thing is to ask the person behind you, Is it okay if I recline now? Is it okay if I recline this much? when you recline.

You can recline as much as possible to the extent that it's not a problem and sleep, and the person behind you can also maintain their comfort.

Some bus companies, such as buses where the seats are reclined from the beginning or VIP liners, even announce, Please recline your seats all at once now. This is well-received by people who want to recline fully and those who feel hesitant to ask the person behind them.

★Let me recline more! from the seat in front

• When I reclined my seat, the person in the seat behind got angry. I want the bus companies to make it known that people can recline without hesitation on night buses.
• I can't recline much out of consideration for others
• I can't recline. I want them to announce that everyone should recline at the same time
• I was cramped because I couldn't recline the seat fully.
• I can't recline the seat. Most people didn't use the reclining function, so it was hard
• I want them to consider the amount of luggage that can be brought into the car.
• I couldn't recline the seat because the person behind me had their feet in a strange position, but I couldn't talk to them because they were wearing an eye mask

★Don't recline that much! from the seat behind

• When the passenger in front reclines their seat, my feet get caught between the seats. If it's a 4-row seat, you can hardly recline, but they don't understand.
• The deep reclining of the passenger in front of me makes it difficult to go to the bathroom
• I personally want to sleep comfortably too, so I have no complaints at all about the person in front of me reclining their seat as much as possible, but sometimes I want an announcement to tell them to raise their seat when it's time to get on and off. It's difficult for the person by the window to get out
• Ill-mannered passengers who recline their seats too much without considering the person behind them, even though the seats are narrow.

３-４．You don't notice the smell yourself

Body odor, perfume, the smell of tobacco that has soaked into clothes, the smell of feet spreading when taking off shoes, the smell of alcohol...In a sense, this is the nuisance point that is most difficult to notice yourself.Let's be a little more careful about the smell than usual when we get on the bus. (Especially in the 4-row seat type where there is a seat next to you)

★Voices about smell

• The smell of other people. Non-smokers are sensitive to the smell, so people who have probably been smoking smell intensely and it's unpleasant.
• The smell of other passengers' perfume and tobacco (including clothes that have been soaked in strong deodorant or smelly detergent)
• Smell (someone wearing strong perfume was behind me)

３-５．When there are troublesome passengers around you

Basically, ask them politely, Excuse me, could you please ●●?If it's difficult to talk to them or they won't listen, consult with the crew members.

On night buses, it's dangerous to move around while the bus is in motion. You may have to endure it for a while, but when the bus is stopped, such as during breaks at service areas, try consulting with them and asking if they can make an announcement when departing.

４．Pros and Cons: Announcements and Lighting During Breaks

４-１．The Problem of Waking Up During Breaks

Most overnight buses have 1 to 3 toilet breaks.The issue is how they are announced.

When arriving at a service area or parking area, announcements are made, and lights are turned on. However, many passengers complain, saying, I had just fallen asleep, and now I'm awake... I don't even need to use the restroom, or If I wake up 2 or 3 times during an 8-hour ride, I can't get any rest at all.So, we first asked overnight bus users for their opinions!

４-２．The Majority Accepts It

Nearly 2/3 of the responses were either No problem or I dislike it, but it's necessary!

However, one in three people seem to be troubled by it. Both supporters and those who find it unnecessary not only chose from the five options but also left comments. This seems to be a high-interest issue.

★ I think it's necessary and not a problem

• Sometimes I miss my stop because I fall asleep.
• Even if I want to use the restroom at the next service area, I might not notice if I'm asleep.
• You can't move around without some lighting when you want to go to the restroom.
• Soft-spoken announcements and dim lighting are necessary.
• The lighting and announcements were quiet and comfortable.
• Personally, I almost always get off at rest stops, so I appreciate it.
• I don't mind because once I fall asleep, I don't notice the announcements or lighting. In fact, I sleep through them, so they don't serve their intended purpose for me.
• Announcements about the stopping time at service areas are the only necessary ones.
• I need them. Without them, there are times I can't wake up, especially when getting off mid-way, and I use them to calculate the remaining time.

★ Personally, I dislike it, but I think it's necessary, so it can't be helped

• I'd be happy if they could use music instead of announcements to let us know. For departure times, I think it's sufficient to post them at the bus exit. Please keep the lighting only at foot level.It's indeed scary to stand up and move around if it's completely dark the whole time. Some bus companies dim the lights during breaks, which I think is a good idea.

★ Announcements are fine, but please reduce the lighting

• Without announcements, I wouldn't know when we've arrived at a rest stop, so I want them to continue.
• Bright lights wake me up, so I think footlights just bright enough to see where you're stepping should be sufficient.

★ Lighting is fine, but announcements are unnecessary

• It would be even better if there was an explanation beforehand. (This happens occasionally.) For example We wont make announcements even if we stop at service areas. The meeting time will be posted. I don't think many people want to be intentionally woken up so if possible I think its better to eliminate announcements. I think the lights turning on cant be helped.

★ If possible, I'd like both the lighting and announcements to stop

• I'll notice when we stop. Even if it's troublesome, if they write On break until XX:XX on a whiteboard on the front windshield, there's no need for guidance during service area breaks.
• If they provide guidance at the beginning, people who need to will wake up on their own without lighting or announcements, so mid-trip guidance is unnecessary.
• A measure like reporting the scheduled stop times in advance and then lightly ringing a chime once as a signal at those times, so only those who are awake and want to use the restroom, etc. will notice. A measure to keep the lighting only at foot level so it doesn't affect everyone. A way to avoid waking everyone up.
• I've never gotten off at a service area to use the restroom. Even if I wake up a little, I immediately close my eyes and go back to sleep.

４-３．The Current Situation: Policies Vary by Bus Company

Currently, bus companies are split on whether or not to implement these announcements and lighting during breaks.Some do both, while others only make announcements at departure and only use footlights during breaks.If it really bothers you, inquire before making a reservation.

４-４．For Those Who Find It Unnecessary: Earplugs, Eye Masks, Window Seats or Independent Seats

If you just want to keep sleeping, it's best to take your own countermeasures.Prepare an eye mask for the lighting and earplugs for the announcements.(However, with earplugs, there's a risk of not waking up when you reach your destination)

Also, choosing your seat is important.With two-person seats (= 4-row standard, or the 2-row side of 2-row + 1-row seats), even if you don't need a restroom break, the person next to you might.

With aisle seats, you might be woken up if the person in the window seat next to you gets up to use the restroom.With two-person seats, try to specify a window seat (if you can't specify, convey your preference as a request).

• Essential Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness on Highway and Overnight Buses
• Is Eating and Drinking Allowed on Highway Buses? A Q&A Guide on Manners

※本記事は、2025/01/23に公開されています。最新の情報とは異なる可能性があります。
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