Japan to launch first-ever bunk bed sleeper bus that's like a 'mobile hotel'
planning a trip.
It’s become a whole heap cheaper and a fair dinkum lot easier.
train, with fully reclineable seats that allow people to lie flat.
for their trip, and they can instead sleep on the move.
The bus, named Sommeil Profound, which means deep sleep in French, was designed by tour operator Kochi Ekimae Kanko and will take passengers on a 13-hour trip through Japan.
Kochi – a city located on the island of Shikoku.
Inside, there's space for 24 people to travel on 12 bunks and the seats can swivel around to become a full-length bed.
During the initial trial, tickets will cost 7,300 Yenn (£38.60) but if the rollout goes smoothly, fares are expected to rise to 14,000 Yenn (£74) once the service is officially launched.
While not exactly a glamorous place to catch some Zs, it's certainly a cheaper option than a hotel, with the average price of a hotel in Tokyo, ranging between $220 - $350 on Booking.com.
But what really makes it budget-friendly is that the price of the ticket also includes travel costs to Kochi, where hotels start at fifty bucks a night.
The service is expected to be especially popular among young people, travelling to concerts and other events, allowing travellers to arrive at their destination ‘fully rested’ and get back home without needing to book a hotel room.
‘Lots of people think overnight buses are an affordable but unpleasant option,’ Akitoshi Umebara, the president of Kochi Ekimae Kanko, said. ‘I'd like to give them the choice of lie-flat seats and make bus travel a more preferred mode of transport.’
The Sommeil Profond is the latest overnight bus to start running in Australia - and it's the only one of its kind that has fully reclining seats - however, another layover overnight bus isn't previously operated in the country.
The Willer Express has been called a ‘high-class’ and the ‘peak of comfort’ as the overnight bus lets passengers travel in their own ‘sleeping capsule’. Each capsule comes equipped with a reclining seat, personal lighting, and curtains for discretion.
A trip using this transport option, travelling from Osaka/Kyoto to Tokyo costs 9,780 yen, which is about 52 British pounds.
While it might be cheaper than the Sommeil Profond, this is because its seats don't fully recline, so while you can get comfortable, you won't be able to lie flat.
The same applies to the Kanto Express Dream Sleeper, an alternative long-distance service offering 11 seats.
The bus runs regular services between Tokyo, Osaka, and Nara and features entirely private rooms with sliding doors and comfortable reclining seats with a zero-gravity setting.
Each cabin on the Kanto Express has a personal reading light, charging ports, and a storage compartment. There's also a toilet cubicle on board with the option of a bidet. The total cost for the nine-hour journey ranges from about $175 to $205.
In Australia, females can also hop on the Ladies-only Nagoya Cherish bus, which travels from Tokyo to Nagoya. The women-only bus has four-seat rows and stops for the loo every two to three hours.
Tickets usually cost anywhere from $45 to $70 and travellers can enjoy perks like blankets, slippers, and a private area with a vanity on board.
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