The " Hello Kitty Bus," connecting JR Okayama Station and the Tamano area, will be running until March 2027! With pink seats, heart-shaped handrails, and lots of plush toys, the bus is filled with "KAWAII" (cute) items. Let us introduce you to this new bus trip in Okayama that will create special memories just by riding it.
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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Center of Western Japan and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It's conveniently located halfway between famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima! It's also the gateway to Shikoku via the Seto. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Okayama," and the fruits that are sun-drenched in the warm climate of the Setouchi are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-class tourist spots, including Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which boasts history, culture, and art!
As part of the "Hello Kitty x Ryobi Group " collaboration project that started in the summer of 2026, the " Hello Kitty Bus," a direct bus connecting JR Okayama Station and Tamano , is running through the city of Okayama until March 1st, 2027 (Monday). This bus, which fully embodies the "KAWAII" theme of Hello Kitty, loved all over the world, transforms travel time itself into a special memory. The bus is decorated with special wrapping, and there are many hidden surprises inside as well. This time, we will introduce the many charms of the "Hello Kitty Bus," which will lift your spirits just by riding it!
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Table of Contents
- A cute "Hello Kitty bus" is running through the streets of Okayama !
- How to ride: For those riding Japanese route buses for the first time
- The train is filled with Hello Kitty!
- Don't miss these! 6 adorable points inside the car
- How to get off
- Hello Kitty Bus Basic Information
- If you get lost, head to the Okayama Station East Exit Public Transportation Information Center.
- Also check out the Hello Kitty designed "Kamome Bus Skip"
- Kamome Bus Trip Basic Information
A cute "Hello Kitty bus" is running through the streets of Okayama !
The " Hello Kitty Bus" was created following Hello Kitty's appointment as Ryobi Group 's "Smile Co-creation Partner." It was born from the desire to bring as many "happy things" as possible to the daily lives of people in Okayama. The bus's exterior is specially wrapped with Hello Kitty's world view. It will be in operation until March 1st, 2027 (Monday). Based on the concept of "KAWAII OKAYAMA," it runs as a direct bus connecting JR Okayama Station and the Tamano area. When departing from Okayama Station, board at platform 2 of the East Exit Bus Station, and arrive at platform 8.
How to ride: For those riding Japanese route buses for the first time
Boarding is done through the door in the Chuo of the bus. If you plan to pay with cash, be sure to take a numbered ticket from the orange box near the entrance. This is a common system on Japanese route buses, where the fare changes depending on the distance traveled, and the fare for when you get off is displayed on the electronic display board inside the bus based on the number on your ticket. Payment is made when you get off.
In addition to cash, payment is also accepted via IC card. If you have a " Hareca IC Card" card, which can be used on buses and trams in Okayama Prefecture, you can top it up on board. However, please note that other transportation IC cards (such as Suica and other nationwide interoperable cards) cannot be topped up on board.
Please note that you cannot exchange money while the train is in motion, so it is recommended to do so as soon as you board. The change machine can only handle 1,000 yen bills; higher denomination bills cannot be exchanged.
The train is filled with Hello Kitty!
Looking around the train, you'll see Hello Kitty everywhere. In this original story, Hello Kitty visits Okayama and meets R-chan , the official character of the Ryobi Group , and the two hit it off. Sharing the common desire to "add more joy to everyday life in Okayama," the two decorate the town with sweets and toys as motifs, expressing the fun events that are about to unfold.
Don't miss these! 6 adorable points inside the car
Point ①: Pink seat cushions
The seats are a soft pink color. If you look closely, you'll see cheerful illustrations of Hello Kitty and R-chan. The area around the driver's seat is also decorated in a "kawaii" style, so be sure to check it out when you ride.
Point ②: Heart-shaped strap
A heart-shaped strap adorned with fluffy pink and blue decorations that make you want to touch it. Hello Kitty is also perched beside the strap.
Point 3: Lots of Hello Kitty plush toys
Hello Kitty greets you even at the ticket booth at the boarding entrance. Hello Kitty plush toys are lined up at the back of the bus, and are also placed close to the handrails. Just by looking around the interior, you'll encounter lots of "KAWAII" (cute).
Point 4: There are three types of stop request buttons.
The stop request buttons come in three designs: Hello Kitty, Ribbon, and R-chan. Finding which design is where inside the train is one way to enjoy the ride.
Point 5: Randomly displayed messages
By scanning the QR code in front of your seat, you'll see a random message, such as "Today's Message" or a short quiz. There are apparently 100 different messages available, so you can enjoy a different one each time you ride.
Point 6: Hello Kitty is everywhere inside the car!
Hello Kitty is hidden on the ceiling and inside the doors. In addition, posters displayed inside the bus feature Hello Kitty and R-chan introducing Okayama 's tourist spots and local products. You can discover the charm of Okayama while riding the Hello Kitty bus.
How to get off
When boarding, compare the number on the ticket you received with the fare chart and put the displayed fare into the fare box. To alight, use the door located next to the driver's seat at the front of the bus.
Hello Kitty Bus Basic Information
[Hello Kitty Bus]
Operating period: Currently in operation until March 1, 2027 (Monday) (tentative)
Operating section: Routes operated by Ryobi Bus Tamano Depot, including JR Okayama Station to Uno Station, Shibukawa , and Toy Kingdom.
Fare: Same as regular route buses
TEL: 0863-31-1616 ( Tamano Sales Office / Monday-Friday 9:30-17:30, Saturday 10:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00, Closed on Sundays and public holidays)
If you get lost, head to the Okayama Station East Exit Public Transportation Information Center.
If you arrive at JR Okayama Station and are unsure where the bus stop is, stop by the "Okayama Station East Exit Public Transportation Information Center" located inside the bus station. This building is designed with the " Enyo-tei House " pavilion, located in Okayama Korakuen Garden , one of Japan's three most famous gardens, as its motif. Inside, you can check bus departure times, destinations, and real-time service status at a glance. There is also an English-speaking counter for international travelers, as well as restrooms and a free water dispenser, so it's a good idea to stop by.
Also check out the Hello Kitty designed "Kamome Bus Skip"
The "Kamome Bus Skip," a special ticket that combines bus and ferry travel from Okayama to Shodoshima(Kagawa Prefecture) at a great price, is now on sale for a limited time with a Hello Kitty design. From Okayama Station, take a local bus to Shin Okayama Port, and then transfer to a ferry to reach Tonosho Port on Shodoshima with a smooth transfer.
Kamome Bus Trip Basic Information
[Seagull Bus Skip]
Sales period: On sale now until March 1, 2027 (Monday)
Sales locations: Okayama Station East Exit Public Transportation Information Center, Shodoshima Tonosho Port, Okayama-bound ferry ticket office
Price: 1,500 yen (adult) *Children's tickets do not feature the Hello Kitty design.
*From October 1, 2026, the price will be 1,600 yen (adult).
Ticket contents: One-way train ticket + one-way ferry ticket (a set of bus ticket between Okayama Station and Shin- Okayama Port + ferry ticket to Shodoshima(Tonosho Port))
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