Travel New bunk-bed buses offer budget travel in Japan

Japan is introducing its first sleeper bus with fully reclining seats, offering budget travellers an alternative to rising hotel costs. Kochi Ekimae Kanko's new 24-passenger bus, featuring seats that convert into flat bunk beds, will begin a trial weekly service between Tokyo and Kochi prefecture on 4th March. The 13-hour journey will cost 7,300 yen ($47) during the trial, with full-scale service expected later this year. Kochi Ekimae Kanko also plans to sell these buses to other companies eventually.

The launch by Kochi Ekimae Kanko comes as more travellers take overnight buses instead of staying at hotels, which are soaring in price in Tokyo and elsewhere amid the surge in inbound tourists. Many hotels are also limiting their availability because of staffing shortages. Tokyo-based bus operator Willer Express said the average occupancy rate of express busses increased 5 percentage points to 86% in 2024. In the company's October survey, more than 60% of respondents said they had taken overnight buses because other accommodations cost too much.

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Bus companies prioritise passenger experience to meet the increasing demand for comfortable overnight travel. Willer offers reclining "shell seats" that maximise legroom and is exploring introducing lie-flat options. However, expanding bus services is proving challenging due to a driver shortage, worsened by new overtime regulations implemented last year.

While passenger numbers at a significant Tokyo bus terminal are nearing pre-pandemic levels, bus departures are still significantly reduced. Kochi Ekimae Kanko believes enhancing comfort can attract more passengers, justify higher fares, and improve driver working conditions. After the trial, they plan to price their lie-flat seats at 14,000 yen, a roughly 40% premium compared to standard overnight buses in Japan.


Paywall alert:

I think lay-flat is overkill. A nice recline and legroom is all you need. Unless they can fit more people in this way.

I would totally travel this way if I had the time. It's like a 夜行バス (night bus), but even better. If you think of a bus like an airplane, this type of bus might be analogous to business class.