TOKYO —

Tours employing comfortable and luxurious buses are on the increase as organizers try to attract people put off by the image of conventional bus tours as cheap but uncomfortable.

Hato Bus Co of Tokyo is offering two ‘‘Tours in Royal Boxes,’’ one called ‘‘Fortissimo’’ using a bus with 27 seats and the other called ‘‘Pianissimo’’ using a bus with 28 seats. The buses usually seat 45 passengers.

Travelers can use headphones to listen to music and are given slippers and wet towels. Espresso coffee is served on the Fortissimo bus.

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable day tour, the number of places visited is limited to one or two instead of the usual four or five. The fare is 15,000-18,000 yen, about twice as expensive as ordinary tours.

A Hato Bus spokesman said, ‘‘The tour is popular among elderly couples who’ve been on many tours as well as female groups, and there are many repeat travelers.’’

Mitsukoshi Ltd, a major department store operator, is marketing a tour using a high-grade bus with only 10 seats. The bus, called the ‘‘Mitsubishi Premium Cruiser,’’ usually has 45 seats. The seats can be reclined without worrying about the seat behind.

Each of the leather upholstered seats is independent and travelers can watch TV programs and DVDs on liquid crystal display screens in front of them. The aisle is wide and there is a handrail so travelers can walk safely.

The tour includes stays in long-established inns and meals in restaurants at exclusive hotels. Although overnight trips costs 120,000-200,000 yen, reservations have been steady.

Why are companies developing tours featuring luxury buses? ‘‘They’re trying to wipe out the conventional image of bus tours as cheap and trying to attract new customers,’’ said Kazuko Murata, a travel journalist.

The number of people who think that traveling is an important part of their tour experience has been increasing. As a result, high-grade seats and services in planes and trains are gaining in popularity. ‘‘That wave has also spread to buses,’’ she said.

To continue the growth in luxury bus tours in the future, ‘‘The key is not only to improve the quality of buses but also to enrich services and other ‘soft touches,’’’ Murata said.

© 2008 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

6 Comments

• 

  sk4ek at 07:49 AM JST - 4th August

  A elderly taxi driver friend of mine took one of the deluxe Hato Bus day trips to Nagano a while back, and was very happy with it. The combination of worry-free transport (no changing trains, bothering with tickets and crowds), upgraded facilities, and a skilled, experienced guide made for what he said was one of the most pleasant trips he's taken domestically.

• 

  ilcub76 at 08:08 AM JST - 4th August

  Although overnight trips costs 120,000-200,000 yen, reservations have been steady.

  I'm headed to Cambodia, Laos, and Bangkok this week, and I didn't pay that much for the whole airfare! This once again goes to show that many Japanese have more yen than sense.

• 

  Richard_the_First at 10:23 AM JST - 4th August

  In high summer though, with crippling heat, these buses sound like heaven (if you can afford it)

• 

  DenshaDeGO at 11:27 AM JST - 4th August

  What about leg room?

• 

  Altria at 11:47 AM JST - 4th August

  Hato Bus Co of Tokyo is offering two ‘‘Tours in Royal Boxes,’’ one called ‘‘Fortissimo’’ using a bus with 27 seats and the other called ‘‘Pianissimo’’ using a bus with 28 seats.

  They don't leave themselves a lot of room for the in-between dynamic levels

• 

  VoXman at 02:31 PM JST - 4th August

  Not sure how they'll enjoy this since they'll be asleep through the whole trip

Register or login to add a comment!