the Chuo Expressway to Nagoya, then the Meishin Expressway to Osaka. Trips take approximately 8-9 hours depending on the route and stops.
The following are among the major bus services available between Tokyo and Osaka: (Current as of March, 2012)
Willer Express
Discount bus operator Willer Express runs daytime and overnight buses with a variety of seating options ranging from standard bus seats to luxurious shell seats. Bus journeys can be booked online in English, and Willer's Japan Bus Pass is valid on all of their routes with some exceptions.
Buses from Tokyo leave from Willer's own bus terminal, located west of Shinjuku Station in the Sumitomo Building. Some buses also leave from Tokyo Disneyland - Goofy Car Park, Tokyo Station - Yaesu-Chuo Exit, Shinagawa Station - Shinagawa Prince Hotel and Yokohama Station.
In Osaka, Willer has their own bus terminal at the Umeda Sky Building. Buses also stop at Osaka Doyama-cho, Osaka Station's Sakurabashi Exit, Kintetsu Namba Station and Tennoji Park.
Willer's overnight one-way fares to/from Tokyo start from approximately �3800 for overnight trips in standard seats up to �9800 in shell seats with advanced purchase. Daytime bus fares start from �4900. Fares are typically higher on weekends and holidays.
JR Bus
JR Bus (Japanese Website) is also a major operator on the Tokyo-Osaka route. The drawback is that you cannot make online reservations in English, but you can make reservations in train stations at the same "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket windows used to reserve seats on trains.
JR Buses depart from Tokyo Station - Yaesu Exit and the JR Highway Bus Terminal located adjacent to Yoyogi Station on the Yamanote Line (one stop south of Shinjuku). In Osaka, buses congregate primarily at the JR Highway Bus Terminal there, the Minato-Cho Bus Terminal, and at Tennoji Station.
JR Bus offers, in order of comfort and price, Seishun (youth)
