Tokyo's Sushi Bus combines conveyor belt dining with open-air sightseeing

Suddenly, a trip to Japan sounds awfully appealing. One company is combining two of Tokyo's most popular tourist activities: sightseeing and all-you-can-eat sushi. The double-decker Sushi Bus has a kitchen on the first floor, a dining area with conveyor belts on the second floor and an elevator that lets staff deliver fish to hungry passengers. Diners can watch the city pass while plates of sushi make their way around the dining area.

The bus will depart from the Kajibashi Parking Lot near Tokyo Station and travel on a 70-minute circular route. Sora News 24 , which first reported the story, said it will likely pass landmarks such as Ginza, Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Asakusa's Kaminarimon gate. However, the final route has yet to be determined.

The project has reportedly been in development for about two and a half years, with extensive testing going into preventing the sushi from falling off the conveyor belt during sudden stops. I hope as much attention was paid to the kitchen staff handling sharp knives downstairs.

Of course, if bus tours and conveyor-powered sushi are your thing, Tokyo offers plenty of ways to do them one at a time. But hey, if you're pressed for time or simply enjoy novelties, Sushi Bus it is.

Tours are scheduled to begin in Tokyo on October 10 with a single vehicle that seats 20 diners. Given the limited capacity combined with the tourist novelty factor, it's a little surprising that a Sushi Bus ride "only" costs 16,000 yen (about $101) per person. However, the company sees this as just the beginning and hopes to expand eventually to other tourist destinations, including Osaka and Kyoto.

You can see the Sushi Bus in action in the video below. Proceed with caution if you're hungry.