17 Hours on Japan’s Overnight Capsule Bus | Willer Dome 🇯🇵

17 Hours on Japan’s Overnight Capsule Bus | Willer Dome 🇯🇵

Hello from Shinjuku Station. Today I’ll be riding Japan’s unique capsule overnight bus from   Tokyo to Osaka and back to Tokyo using 3 seats from Willer Express. This is the route. Today I’ll be riding a bus from Tokyo to Japan’s third capital, Nagoya. On day two, we’ll head from Nagoya to Osaka and return back to Tokyo. Shinjuku at 11:00 – Nagoya at 16:30 386 km / 5 hours and 30 minutes. I grab some snacks for my trip. Let’s head to the bus stop. Tip: No toilet on board, so better to go before getting on. Gate D11. The first bus will be this bus. This bus typically operates overnight, but it occasionally runs during the day as well. It was this one. Today, I’m taking the WILLER Express Relax bus from Tokyo to Nagoya. The fee is only ￥3,000 super cost-effective. It only takes about an hour and a half by Shinkansen, but the fare is over 10,000 yen. If you’ve got time to spare, this is a great option. Wow! Look at this. It’s… it’s got a hood on each seat. Looks interesting. Other, more luxurious options were available a few years ago, but oh well. 11:00 – The bus departs Shinjuku on time! Goodbye, Tokyo. Two rest stops: 12:30 Ashigara Service Area and Hamamatsu Service Area at 14:40. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a bus. The bus will enter the highway from Nishi Shinjuku Junction.  I think we made it onto the highway. ??? JK. now we made it onto the highway. There are a ton of buildings, so it’s tunneling through. The highway we’re on right now was built for the 1964 Summer Olympics, so it’s old. Tomei Expressway – Opened in 1969, it’s one of Japan’s first major expressways. It connects Tokyo to Nagoya (346 km) and continues toward Osaka as the Meishin Expressway. We made it across Tokyo and entered Kanagawa Prefecture. In Kanagawa, the road starts to “breathe”—views open up. You can tell since there are now more 3 lanes instead of 2. And the greenery. Let’s review the seat. The Relax seats are arranged in a 2×2 layout, totaling four seats per row, This configuration is standard for many buses, but the added features set the Relax seats apart. The biggest difference between an ordinary budget bus is this: Canopy for Privacy! Each seat is equipped with a retractable hood (canopy) that allows passengers to shield their faces while sleeping, offering a sense of personal space and privacy. You don’t need to use it if you don’t mind people seeing you while you sleep. It’s really close to your face. I can’t really do much inside the hood. It’s like wearing a big bucket. Protects me from the 5G waves. Seats can recline up to approximately 130 degrees. They come with leg rests that support the 
calves, and movable neck rests for added comfort. Partitions between seats help to create a more private and relaxing seating experience,   reducing disturbances from neighboring passengers. Passengers have access to USB ports, but no power outlet! A hook A net bag holder for belongings complimentary blankets Though the seat is good and all, it might be a tight fit for some passengers. At 44 cm, and considering the divider exists and sacrifices the armrest, it feels narrow. The Relax seats offer a balance between cost and comfort,   making them a suitable option for budget-conscious travelers who still desire a degree of privacy and enhanced seating features on their journey. Look, mountains! Meaning we’ve made it to Shizuoka, the foothills of Kanagawa or western Shizuoka. Departing from the Kanto plains. And we’re getting some blue skies. There’s farmland in the middle of nowhere. If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to see Mount Fuji. The lush greenery is nice. It’s got that summer feel without the heat. Shizuoka Prefecture produces around 40% of all green tea in Japan. What you see now are green tea farms,   arranged in precise rows along gently sloped hills for sunlight and drainage. The bright green you see now is likely first flush tea, the highest grade, picked in April to May. 12:45 – Arrived at Ashigara Parking Area. We have 30 minutes here.  That’s more than I expected. Maybe I can get lunch here. We made it to a rest area (PA/SA). Known for being mini theme parks—you’ll find gourmet food, souvenir shops,   local specialties, and even onsen (hot springs) at some. Mini ramen. Ok, the mini ramen is really mini. Well, thanks for the food. Will there be Mount Fuji? …. … !!! No way, it’s Mount Fuji! It’s not the clearest Mount Fuji, but it’s there. I bought some souvenir snacks. I got the Tanna Milk Baumkuchen,   made using local high-quality milk produced in the Tanna area of Shizuoka Prefecture. And a bottle of premium Jersey milk from the Mt. Fuji Highlands:   one of the highest-quality milks Japan offers. It was 400 yen!!!! The cows that produce this milk probably eat some nice-quality meals because it tastes different. Tastes like it has an aftertaste of matsutake mushrooms. Nice. And the Baumkuchen: 180 yen. Tastes like baumkuchen. Yes sir. More green tea farms. I don’t know why, but I found this in my 
bag: dorayaki and milk. Regular old milk. I forgot I bought this, too. Saying my farewell to Mount Fuji. From here on, it’s endless trees and mountains. How tall is the foundation of this bridge? Must be tall. The sun is poking through, and it’s hurting my skin. Not to worry. I don’t even need to close the 
curtains. My personal hat is here with me. If we cross three major rivers, we’ll be arriving at Hamamatsu Parking Area. We’re now crossing the Fuji River—one of Japan’s fastest-flowing rivers. Crossed around Fuji City;   popular for whitewater rafting and historical importance in the Edo period. Oi River – Historic river once known for its   Impassability during the Edo period. Now easily passable. There should be a river known as the Tenryū River—a river known for   Its clear waters and surrounding natural beauty. But looks like I missed it. 14:40 – Hamamatsu Service Area.  This service area is renowned for its spacious layout and variety of local 
delicacies, including unagi (eel) dishes. I found a Disney vending machine. Well, I only have 10 minutes here, so let’s go back. I forgot I still had this. This is some good stuff. Wait, why are these trees yellow? It’s spring. Apparently, it’s the buds waking up and they don’t have enough chlorophyll. Good to know. Some of the leaves are really yellow, aren’t they? Past the mountain range and now here at the Nobi Plains. Nearing Nagoya, the landscape transitions from rural to urban,   with increasing traffic and city infrastructure. Oh look, a Ferris wheel. Now that we’re almost arriving, let’s choose our dinner. Nagoya is actually a hidden gem of Japanese cuisine,   including eel dishes, miso katsu, and more. Eel it is. 16:40 – Arriving about 10 minutes late to Nagoya Station. We made it to Nagoya. I’m here at the famous Maruya. Oh god, that’s expensive. I just had a katsu sandwich, so I think I’ll get pretty full with the mini. There are instructions on the back. There are a lot of ways to eat it, so that’s helpful. There’s even a store in Korea? The meals here… wait… it’s kinda small-small.  Why am I getting deja vu saying that for this place? It says to cut into thirds. Well, this is new. Wait, I think I’m supposed to eat this without any condiments. Oh well. It’s my third time eating hitsumabushi, so I know this is better. Tastes great. Tastes great. My third is going to be using the dashi or the broth. In. In. In you go. Wait a second. Aaaaahahahaha. Oh well. Thanks for the food. There’s a whole line now. Thank god I came early. Now heading to see Nagoya from the sky… The Sky Promenade. Holy moly. It’s zooming through floors. This elevator might become the most memorable thing in Nagoya. The Sky Promenade. 1000 yen for entry. Wowza. Why is no one here, though? Why am I the only one here? How is this possible? Pretty cool. Look at the size of Nagoya Castle. It’s tiny from up here. Ok, so there were people. But I was expecting a bit more of a crowd, so I’m happy. There’s even a BBQ corner here. Look how tiny everything looks from up here. Everything is slow. This is the Tokyo direction. We crossed that mountain. That way is where we’re heading tomorrow. Yeah, this is a great place. Not just for the views but to rest as well. The roof is open, so there’s even wind. This is nice. 4-minute train ride from Nagoya Station to my hotel. Today’s hotel is Nagoya Kanayama Hotel. 8500 yen. It comes with a bath place as well, nice. Room is a single-bed style normal room, with a shower. Nice. Toilet is B-tier as always. Good stuff. Now heading to the showers and sleep. Well, I’m going to sleep. Good night. Nagoya is known for its morning breakfast culture, so I’ll go somewhere to eat. We are going to Komeda Coffee. It’s the biggest Japanese coffeehouse chain that originated in Nagoya in 1968,   with over 900 locations. Morning Service: Until 11:00 AM, ordering any drink comes with a complimentary breakfast set —typically thick-cut toast and your choice of a boiled egg,   egg salad, or sweet red bean paste (Ogura-an). I got red bean paste, thick-cut toast, and for the drink, honey coffee or something like that. Pretty good. Look how soft this bread is. Alright, let’s get going. Thanks for the food. Back at Nagoya Station now, heading to Osaka. To Osaka, we’re using Willer again, but in a different class of seats. I’ll be using the Prime—the most luxurious 2-2 seater from Willer Express. It looks the same… but it’s not. The layout remains the same: 4 seats per row (2-2 configuration). Now that is a view. Relax seats have fixed partitions, while Prime seats have adjustable ones. The bus departs from Nagoya. This is the route. A 3-hour ride from Nagoya to Osaka with one stop between—Suzuka Parking Area. Time unknown. The fee is ¥3,100. Leaving the industrial city,  traveling by highway between Nagoya 
and Osaka along the Meishin Expressway. Crossing the Shonai River. Slight blue clouds in sight. Yay, wall. Good riddance. Seat Width: Approximately 44 cm. Does it feel wide? Not at all. Feels the same as yesterday. Same as yesterday, with a recline angle of up to 130°. Amenities include: A huge canopy! Its size gives you real privacy—you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing you, and it creates a space that feels completely your own. Smartphone Holder: Conveniently 
positioned for easy viewing. Genius level: whoever made this. Leg Rest & Foot Rest: Enhances comfort during long journeys. Blanket & Headrest: Provided for added comfort. Power Outlet: Available for charging devices. We crossed a pretty large river: the Kiso River. Also crossed the Ibi and Nagara Rivers—the Three Rivers of the Tokai Region,   historically referred to as “Japan’s Rhine” due to their beauty and centrality to river culture. These rivers formed a natural network for moving goods between Nagoya,   the Nōbi Plain, and the Kinki region (Osaka/Kyoto). Towns like Inuyama and Gifu grew around the rivers due to riverboat commerce. All three rivers begin in the mountains of central Honshu (mostly Gifu/Nagano) and flows southward   into Ise Bay, fanning out into an intricate delta system known for its rich sediment and floodplain. Hence, the rice farms. During the crossing, we made it to Mie Prefecture. We’ll soon be arriving in Suzuka Parking Area. Oh nice—some green tea farms. I like looking at them because they look like a freshly mowed lawn. Suzuka Parking Area. There’s a car in here. I don’t know anything about cars, sorry. The only thing I know is that Suzuka has 
that circuit. I know that Lewis Hamilton is like the Lionel Messi of F1. I did get myself a soft serve made using milk and tea from this region. Alright, let’s get going. I was not expecting this much green tea from this region. Those are all tea farms. No more parking area stops—well, enjoy the bus ride. There’s like something growing on the tree.  Made it past the mountains and now in Kyoto. If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to see Fushimi Inari Taisha—with the 1,000 orange gates. Not too lucky, are we? I didn’t have a neighbor with me yesterday, but even with a neighbor, the seat feels private. The canopy really makes it feel like you’ve got privacy to yourself. This is nice. Big balls. And a bullet train. If I chose to ride the bullet train, I would’ve arrived in Osaka yesterday at 1:30 PM. But slow trips are nice sometimes. This cloud pattern looks like an Osaka cloud. We made it to Osaka. Crossing the Yodo River now—I see downtown Osaka. This river, the Yodo River, is one of the most important rivers in the Kansai region,   flowing from Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture through Kyoto and Osaka into Osaka Bay. It supplies drinking water to Osaka?! I don’t know. After 12 hours on the road—over 500 km—and without a sore bum. Maybe it’s because I split the trip into two days,  but I did it without a bum ache, if that even exists. Maybe the seat was nice. I don’t know, but I made it. The Umeda Sky Building is where we get off. I have about 10 hours here in Osaka until I return to Tokyo. There’s even a gaming seat—is this a concept or not? I don’t know. And this is the Dome. We’re going to ride this back to Tokyo today. It comes with a shell and all. It’s going to be a great trip back. I’m feeling hungry. I’m going for lunch. I remember there being a kushikatsu place at the top of this building. Kushikatsu is a classic Osaka street food that consists of skewered ingredients like meat, seafood, vegetables, and even cheese. Breaded in panko, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. This is the Ichiran of kushikatsu: Kushikatsu Daruma, a legendary chain from Shinsekai. The waiter really was pressuring me to order cabbage, so I got cabbage,   but not a single person ordered the cabbage. Now I have to eat this cabbage like I wanted it. Wow, this cabbage is so good. Wowwowowowowowowo. What is this cabbage? It’s the cabbage from the holy land. If you had to split your life into two parts—it’s before   eating this cabbage and after eating this cabbage. The non-alcoholic beer arrives. And the kushikatsu. From the left: bamboo shoots, beef skewer, pork skewer—current favorite is the pork—chicken with shiso leaves, lotus roots, cheese, octopus, and chicken with shiso leaves part 2. This is the sweet-savory Worcestershire-based dipping sauce. In a more traditional restaurant,   it would be inside a jar, but ever since 2020—bottles. This is much easier to use anyway. So there’s this new attraction that   rivals Universal Studios Japan currently happening: the Expo. The first Expo was like an agricultural Expo in Doha, and that was kinda sad,   so it’s time to change my perspective on these Expo things. So I just did some research, and it’s like really crowded. Can I not go there? Thanks for the food. Took about an hour to get here, but here we are. We made it. The World Expo. 1970. I’m sure these elderly people were around my age when this Expo was held. Good old days. The grounds for an Expo that was held 
half a century ago. Good old days. This sign might be the original poster. I mean, look at that. It’s barely readable. These decorations really vibe off the old times. These are supposedly the top attractions here: Tower of the Sun: Designed by artist Tarō Okamoto for Expo ’70,   this iconic 70-meter-tall sculpture symbolizes the past,   present, and future. Inside, the “Tree of Life” exhibit showcases the evolution of life forms. Looks like something out of my nightmare, to be honest. This place is pretty big. That’s a lot of walking—confirmed. During the Expo, visitors could enter the tower, and walk up a 41-meter-tall sculpture depicting the evolution of life from primitive organisms to humans. The interior was closed after the Expo 
and remained inaccessible for decades. Following extensive restoration and seismic reinforcement,   the tower reopened to the public in March 
2018, with the Tree of Life fully restored. It’s pretty big. It even had a face on its back—I did not know that. I’m inside the tower. It was 720 yen for entry. This is nightmare fuel. What is this scary stuff? This is how you give PTSD to kids. Lol. The installation featured 292 models of living creatures, and was created with help from Tsuburaya 
Productions, the studio behind Ultraman. Got these prehistoric pieces of stuff. Jellyfish. And those bug things. Natural and Cultural Gardens: Covering 98 
hectares, these gardens feature open lawns,   forests, and over 5,000 cherry trees, making it a popular spot during hanami season. More nature. Yeah, I love nature. Its wings fell off. There are more people here than the one in Doha. It was a big hit back in the day with a record-breaking number of visitors over 64 million. Not much actually happened,   but the first IMAX movie ever made was 
shown at Expo ’70. That sounds cool. Now entering the Japanese Garden. Spanning 26 hectares, this garden represents various eras of Japanese landscaping, offering serene ponds, bridges, and seasonal flora. Nice. I love nature. Dang, look at that view. Looks like you can even eat meals here. The place is closing soon. Time to get out of here. Dinner. Dinner dinner dinner dinner. I’ll get an okonomiyaki, Botejyu. I got what looks like a deluxe okonomiyaki, established in 1946. It’s considered one of the pioneers of modern-style okonomiyaki. I ordered the classic pork okonomiyaki and the modern-yaki with noodles. The okonomiyaki was thick and hot, served on a sizzling iron plate. It had a soft, fluffy texture on the inside and a nice crisp on the outside. The pork was juicy and cooked just right.   The sauce was sweet and tangy, and the mayo balanced it out well. The bonito flakes on top were still moving 
from the heat, which made it feel lively. The modern-yaki had yakisoba inside,   which added more texture and flavor. It was a bit heavier, but very satisfying. Thanks for the food. The bus we’re going to ride back to Tokyo is the newly released bus seat: Osaka to Tokyo. It will take around 9 hours. Umeda Osaka Station: 21:30. Tokyo Station: 6:30. 500 km. The cost starts from ¥8,900~. Our bus is the Willer “Dome.” Dome: Features semi-private, capsule-style seats for a more secluded experience. It’s Willer’s newest flagship seat. It’s time to board. Let’s get going. Wow. It’s dark, I can’t see a thing. I booked a seat all the way at the back. The Dome seats are arranged in a 1×2 layout, totaling four seats per row. I will introduce this seat later. The bus is going to Tokyo, and we go. Well, good nighters. See you tomorrow. Forgot to tell you, but there’s no restroom on all Willer Express buses. So in order to donate your waste, parking area stops are necessary. It is going to be necessary for me, it seems. Now on the highway. First service area stop. I forgot my wallet. water is essential for trips like these. Alright, time to head back. It’s like riding a roller coaster or something. Key Features of the Dome Seat: Shell-Shaped Design with Canopy: Developed from customer feedback, addressing concerns   about privacy, especially the desire to avoid having one’s sleeping face seen by others. Reclining Functionality: With a shell-like design,   the seat can recline without affecting the 
passenger behind, ensuring personal comfort. Adjustable Headrest: Provides neck and head support. Leg Rest and Foot Rest: Designed to 
reduce foot fatigue during long rides. Cushioned Support: Three-part cushioning (back, seat, waist) with varying thickness and softness for optimal comfort. Smartphone Holder: Located inside the canopy, allowing discreet use of devices at night. Electric Outlet: Essential for charging smartphones and other devices. Drink Holder and Net Pocket: Convenient for storing beverages and small items. Hooks for Hanging Items: Useful for hanging luggage or personal items. Blanket: Available for use during the journey. There will be 2 stops, but I’m going to sleep through them. Glad I took the day bus on the way. There’s literally no view. There’s literally no view. All I do now is sleep. Maybe watch some movies using the canopy phone holder. I made it to Kusatsu Service Area. It’s a quick stop here. See you tomorrow. I’m going to sleep. Good night. Good morning. The bus is quite comfortable. My neck didn’t die. Yawn. Arrived at a service area. The restaurants are open this early? morning? Onigiri time. My morning tradition of buying corn soup continues. Good stuff. Looks like another beautiful day. Where are we? Hey, it’s Tokyo! We made it to Tokyo. At last. I managed to get a few solid hours without waking up constantly. Well, that was quite comfortable. All three options—very nice. I prefer the bullet train, but sometimes it’s nice to have other options. Well… thanks for watching! Have a nice day!

Today we’ll be riding 3 of Japan’s capsule overnight buses for 17 hours, from budget to luxury. Day and night!

Fee by Bus & Route
(Tokyo – Nagoya) Relax:¥3,000/$20/£15/₹1,800/€18/C$30/₩28,000/₽1,600
(Nagoya – Osaka) Prime: ¥3,100/$20/£15/₹1,800/€18/C$30/₩28,000/₽1,600
(Osaka – Tokyo) Dome: ¥8,900/$60/£45/₹5,000/€55/C$85/₩85,000/₽5,000
Experience: No hurt bum

0:00 Introduction
0:23 Willer Relax (Tokyo to Nagoya)
24:52 Willer Prime (Nagoya to Osaka)
45:32 Willer Dome (Osaka to Tokyo)
50:36 Thanks for watching!