Dawning of the bus age --- In 1901, the first buses appeared in Kyoto. During the Taisho era (1912-1925), bus transit spread rapidly throughout Japan.

A new means of leisure --- In the Showa era (1926-1935), sightseeing buses for visitors to Japan flourished, accompanied by their comely woman conductors.

Overcoming resource scarcity --- World War II (1939 --- 1945), and the hardships it entailed, saw the bus industry strive to develop alternative fuel vehicles. (Dates are circa.)

Revival of bus transit --- After the war in 1945, the bus industry retooled and contributed greatly to the nationwide rebuilding effort.

The golden age of bus travel --- The bus industry made great strides from the mid-1950s in making bus travel faster along with adding long-distance routes.

Firmly established and ubiquitous --- Through 1970, as the Japanese economy expanded, buses became a vital part of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Micro networks nationwide --- From the mid-1970s, bus routes developed to serve every region, no matter how small, with timely and efficient service.

Services tailored to local needs --- Bus oversight was transferred to local governments in the mid-1980s, and urban centers saw an increase in evening bus service.

The 21st Century and beyond --- From the 1990s till today, bus travel has become diverse and eco-friendly, with NBA marking its 100th anniversary in 2003.