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Food on the go is nothing new in Japan. Japanese train passengers, for example, have enjoyed delicious bento boxed lunches in trains from the earliest days of the railroad and there are even special trains offering an upscale Japanese dining experience such as the Kaiseki Train on the local Kominato Railway in Chiba Prefecture or, for the well-heeled traveler, even a virtual Japanese inn on rails complete with tatami-matted flooring and low tables in the Shiki-Shima ultra-luxury train suite.
However, for travelers who want to explore the most beautiful destinations of a Japanese city while also enjoying fine Japanese cuisine, there haven't been any options save renting a mobile home and hiring a caterer, not a viable workaround for Japanese travelers, let alone those of us visiting Japan from abroad.
Fortunately for those who wish to visit Kyoto, a new bus tour promises to deliver the refined elegance of a traditional Kyoto style ryotei restaurant with the enjoyment and convenience of a scenic tour of Kyoto.
© Willer, Inc.
Bus company Willer, known for offering comfortable and reliable bus service as well as unique bus tours such as a space-themed tour called "Star Fighter" or, more recently, a collaboration bus tour with Ingress, started its regular Restaurant Bus service in Tokyo last year, to much acclaim. Previously only offered as limited-period tours in Niigata Prefecture, Hokkaido and Okinawa, the new Restaurant Bus is now a permanent part of Willer's lineup. An initial version of the Tokyo bus was followed shortly thereafter by a matsuri (holiday) version complete with hanging lanterns on the deck.
For their third offering, Willer teamed up with Kansai area-based Keihan Bus as well as famous tea brand Iyemon's Kyoto cafe lounge Iyemon Salon to create their most sophisticated bus experience to date.
© Willer, Inc.
Design
The upper deck, which accommodates up to 25 passengers, is elegantly furnished with eleven tables allowing two passengers to sit facing each other and three passengers to sit alone. The wood surfaces of the table are fitted with holes to contain cups and bottles and ensure comfortable dining free of spills or accidents. On sunny days, the roof automatically retracts for an open air experience. A curtain can be drawn when the sun gets too bright. For safety, each seat is fitted with a two-point seat belt able to withstand up to 4G, making the bus highway-compliant.
© Willer, Inc.
Reflecting the tradition-steeped atmosphere of Kyoto, the exterior of the bus is designed in a traditional Japanese theme featuring pine trees and people drawn in the Ukiyoe style enjoying Kyoto cuisine against a cloud background on a golden backdrop.
© Willer, Inc.
In a nod to traditional Kyoto-style ryotei restaurants, marble is used in the staircase and other decorative flourishes are added to create the effect.
Course Options
From morning to night, the Restaurant Bus has a variety of courses offering a sampling of the best of Kyoto cuisine.
Iyemon Salon breakfast course: experience the essence of Japanese tea (60-90 mins)
© Willer, Inc.
Obonzai course made with tasty water from Kyoto (60-80 mins)
© Willer, Inc.
Iyemon Salon afternoon sweets and tea course: experience the essence of Japanese tea (70 mins)
© Willer, Inc.
Early light dinner with a famous Kyoto liquor (90 mins)
© Willer, Inc.
Destinations
© Willer, Inc.
Heian Temple
© Willer, Inc.
Toji Temple
© Willer, Inc.
Higashi Honganji Temple
© Willer, Inc.
Kyoto Tower
© Willer, Inc.
Kamogawa Riverbank
Schedule
Jan. 26 (Fri) through Jan. 28 (Sun), Feb. 4 (Sun), Feb. 10 (Sat), Feb. 11 (Sun), Feb. 17 (Sat), Feb. 24 (Sat)
Campaign
If you show your American Express card when you board the bus, you and one accompanying traveler will be offered a welcome drink.
Fortunately for international visitors, the bus is installed with the GEONEXT service capable of interpreting between 13 languages (Japanese, English, Mandarin, Taiwanese, Cantonese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, French, Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese and German).
To make your reservation, please visit the website.