WILLER TRAVEL, Inc. (http://willerexpress.com/en/), which manages a website wherein seats can be reserved on expressway buses on 98 routes (*) across Japan operated by 63 companies, has developed the world's first "Ingress" bus, "NL-PRIME," in cooperation with Niantic, Inc. Niantic is the publisher of Ingress, a location-based game using an augmented reality technology for smartphones.

WILLER TRAVEL will begin to sell merchandise that allows customers to enjoy NL-PRIME on its travel website (http://willerexpress.com/en/area/kanto/tokyo/ingressplan/nlprime/)

Ingress is a game that users play while walking outside, and has achieved more than 15 million downloads in 200 countries worldwide. The newly developed "NL-PRIME" is based on the U.S. version, NL-1331, which operates in the United States. NL-PRIME will offer a limited medal (*1) and special Ingress content to those who ride it.

Furthermore, WILLER TRAVEL will begin to accept reservations for buses that will directly travel from various parts of Japan to official Ingress XM Anomaly events, including the Aegis Nova (*2) XM Anomaly on July 16  in the Odaiba district of Tokyo. Interested parties can reserve their space on the Willer Express website (http://willerexpress.com/en/area/kanto/tokyo/ingressplan/aegisnova/). "NL-PRIME" will be unveiled during the event.

By operating "NL-PRIME" all over Japan, WILLER TRAVEL will support many agents' (*3) trips and help them find interesting places to visit in various areas. By offering "NL-PRIME" as a meeting place for agents, WILLER TRAVEL will not only provide them with a means of transportation but also help them achieve their Ingress goals.

(*) As of May 30, 2016.

(Documentation 1: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M100172/201606061338/_prw_OA1fl_t9KR62H2.pdf)

(Documentation 2: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M100172/201606061338/_prw_OA3fl_c28HXk6X.pdf)

(*1) Medal - One of Ingress in-game items that players can collect

(*2) Anomaly Event - The worldwide official Ingress event held periodically. Agents gather at the venue to battle and communicate each other. The number of estimated participant for the event at Odaiba is more than 20,000 players.

(*3) Agent - Ingress players