A new open-top sightseeing bus service will begin operating in Kitakyushu on March 27, offering panoramic views of the city’s waterfront, bridges, industrial areas, and historic landmarks, Nishitetsu Bus Kitakyushu announced.
The service, branded KITAKYUSHU OPEN TOP BUS, will use a double-decker bus with open-air seating on the second floor and a retractable roof that can be closed in bad weather. The bus has a capacity of 46 passengers, excluding the driver and attendant.
Two fixed routes will be offered, each taking about 90 minutes, with no boarding or alighting permitted along the way.
The Mojiko Course follows the coastline through the Mojiko Retro district and past Mojiko Station, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, before passing directly beneath the Kanmon Bridge connecting Kyushu and Honshu. The route also includes views of Kokura Castle.
The Wakato Bridge Course focuses on Kitakyushu’s industrial and infrastructure landscape, crossing Wakato Bridge and passing large-scale wind turbines at the Hibikinada Wind Energy Research Park. The operator said daytime and evening departures offer distinctly different scenery.
Each route will operate twice daily, seven days a week, except on vehicle inspection days. Departure times are the same on weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Fares are set at ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,250 for children of elementary school age and younger, tax included. Reservations open Feb. 27, one month before the travel date, via online booking and telephone. Counter ticket sales will begin on the service launch date. Same-day tickets will be available only if seats remain.
Multilingual audio guides will be available on all routes in English, Korean, simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese, accessible through passengers’ smartphones during the ride.
The bus exterior features a yellow design inspired by sunflowers, the official flower of Kitakyushu, and includes illustrations of local landmarks as well as a popular city character. Passenger seating is provided on the second floor only. Travelers requiring accessibility accommodations are advised to contact the reservation center in advance.
Nishitetsu Bus Kitakyushu said the new service builds on the long-running success of the Fukuoka Open Top Bus, which has operated in Fukuoka City since 2012. Coinciding with the Kitakyushu launch, Nishitetsu also announced a major update to the Fukuoka service, including new vehicles and a new route linking Tenjin and Dazaifu.
Nishitetsu Bus Kitakyushu is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co. and operates nearly 500 buses across the Kitakyushu area.
Source: Nishitetsu Group
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