I searched for April rates and found that weekdays were considerably cheaper than this standard. Considering that you can sleep on your side, it seems affordable. The capacity of a typical three-row seat is 28 to 29 passengers, while the capacity of a flattened seat is 24, so the difference is minimal. If the service becomes widely available, it will be possible to travel to various destinations late at night for a fare slightly higher than that of a three-row seat.
As for fares, a fixed amount was added to the different upper and lower fares until March, but will be changed to the unified upper and lower fares plus a variable fare starting in April. The variable fares are based on demand and will be approximately 17,000 yen.
The route is between Tokyo Yaesu Bus Terminal – Ebina S (15 min. rest) A – Awajishima Minami PA (10 min. rest) – Kosoku Naruto Bus Stop – Kochi Station Bus Terminal, departing Tokyo at 21:30 and arriving at Kochi at 7:50 for downbound and departing Kochi at 19:40 and arriving at Tokyo at 7:00 for upbound. From April, the down train will depart Tokyo on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and the up train will depart Kochi on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, for a total of four round trips per week.
Although the seats can be converted into front and rear seating, the bus is basically operated in a fully flat position. The Flaton, introduced here, is an overnight bus equipped with 12 of these units, with a capacity of 24 passengers.
The basic configuration consists of two sets of unit-type full-flat seats. In compliance with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Safety Guidelines,” the seats are positioned forward-facing to protect the head and neck in the event of a collision, the foot area is covered with fall prevention plates and shock absorbing materials, and the head and side areas are protected with protective materials.
The monitored service began in March 2025, and regular service between Tokyo and Kochi began in January 2026. Based on feedback from questionnaires received during the monitored operation, the sleeping comfort and on-board facilities have been improved, and the number of services will be increased to four per week starting April 1, 2026. The newest and improved train was unveiled to the public and I participated in a test-ride event.
I actually rode it in my sleep.
Although it was a short section from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport, we were able to actually test drive the car, including on the Metropolitan Expressway.
When you get on the bus, a shoe box is provided and the inside of the bus is strictly dirt-free. When you walk on the floor, the floor is soft and fluffy, and the contact is adjusted to be soft and comfortable. This probably has the effect of reducing noise. The width of the passageway is very narrow and it is impossible to pass each other. There are two aisles, one on the left and one on the right, and only the first row and the last row can cross between the two aisles, so it is advisable to check the seat number carefully when entering the aisle.
This test ride was on the left window side, almost in the middle of the vehicle, in the upper level seat. You have to climb up the ladder to get into the upper bunk, or rather, slide in head first, but this is a bit of a challenge if you are not used to it. Naturally, it is smaller than a capsule hotel. It is 180 cm long and 45 cm wide, with an upper space of 51 to 73 cm, which is 4 to 5 cm larger than the previous model. The upper space gets wider as you move toward the front seats, so larger people should reserve the front seats as much as possible. I am 178 cm tall and weigh 60 kg, and once I got in and laid down, the space was more comfortable than I had imagined.
Pillows and blankets are provided, and the driver lays down with the seatbelt worn in the waist area while driving. The upper body can be raised lightly or the legs can be bent enough. The upper body is hidden by a thick partition curtain, so there is no need to worry about neighbors.
There seemed to be no inconvenience on the way, with space for bags and a small container for small items. There is a storage net hanging at the top of the feet that can be used as a simple bag compartment, and although I actually had to put in a fairly heavy camera bag (30 x 18 x 47 cm, 16 L), I was able to store it without any particular problem. A typical handbag or sack can be hung here. There is also a shelf near the overhead area, and a smaller bag such as a pouch can be placed here and accessed while lying down.
Other large luggage, such as suitcases, must be left in the trunk. One USB Type-A charging port is located above the chest where you lie down, and the air conditioner vent is also located in this area. Wi-Fi is also available in the car for free.
Once the train starts moving, the view of the city through the windows from the upper level of the car is refreshing. Although the upper level of the car is also a factor, the position of the car is such that you are looking at the city from a much higher vantage point than the car, and you are also looking up at the sky, giving you an excellent view of the city. Even when the Metropolitan Expressway is jammed with traffic, you can enjoy the view of the distant scenery. It makes me want to ride it all the way to Kochi. The windows in the lower section are narrow, so if you want a good view, choose the upper section. If you want to have a good night’s sleep, you should choose the center row. The center row also has the advantage of access to both the left and right aisles.
Since it is sleeping, it is easy to feel the slight vibration and the impact of bumps, but since it is a large sightseeing bus there, the shocks are gentle. However, there is inevitably a sense of shifting forward (toward the feet) when braking. I imagined that there would be some discomfort from lateral G’s when turning, but I did not feel any problem with that.
This kind of erratic shaking, combined with the fact that we are lying down, is sure to induce drowsiness to the fullest. Personally, I was convinced that this would be enough to have a good night’s sleep. It is a high point to be able to lie down and relax at any time without having to hesitate to recline due to concerns about the rear seats.
After the test ride, Akitoshi Umehara, president of Kochi Ekimae Kanko, added his commentary.
As anyone who has spent long hours on a night bus with four-row seats will understand, while it is a cheap way to travel, it is also very tiring. Mr. Umehara said, “We developed this product in-house because no one else was willing to produce it, aiming to allow passengers to stretch their legs and sleep without getting tired on long-distance trips. It took 10 years from the planning stage,” he says. The “Made in Kochi” product is also unique in that it was made in collaboration with local companies in Kochi.
The seats have been extended from the monitored vehicle, and curtains and utility-related items have been added. The base vehicle was changed to the Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Ace, and the unit’s frame has been modified to prevent squeaking noise, resulting in a much quieter vibration than before. These steady improvements seem to have improved comfort.
Mr. Umehara commented, “In a survey conducted during the operation of the monitored vehicles, more than 80% of the drivers rated their satisfaction level as high. It seems that the passengers sleep so well that the driver has trouble waking up when the bus arrives at the end of the journey. He also noted that “many people are repeat customers,” and that although they were at first intimidated by the fact that they had to lie down on the bus and the apparent smallness of the space, many found it surprisingly easy to sleep once they actually got on the bus.
I strongly felt this when I experienced it this time. Flatiron first wanted to show what it would look like with a unit of 24 seats crammed into a high-decker to its maximum. The super high-decker gives you a little more room in the height direction. Other variations are possible in the future. We are always open to offering the Someil Profond to other companies,” he said. We look forward to future developments.
© Source travel watch