Nikotto Bus (On-demand Bus)
How to use Nikotto Bus
Please check the file below before using the service. Nikotto Bus is a shared bus service that requires reservations and is used by users as a means of transportation within the area of Niseko Town. *Please note that it is not a taxi.
- Nikotto Bus User Guide (Japanese)(PDF形式：105KB)
- Nikotto Bus User Guide (English)(PDF形式：99KB)
- Nikotto Bus User Guide (Chinese)(PDF形式：151KB)
No prior registration required! Just make a reservation by phone for a pick-up from your doorstep!
In order to improve means of transportation within town and make commuting easier for everyone, Niseko Town introduced Nikotto Bus (an on-demand bus service that picks passengers from their homes and sends them to their desired destination).
We solicited nicknames from many people so that this service would be dear to them, and decided on the name "Nikotto Bus".
"niko" means smile in Japanese. We hope to put a smile on everyone's face when using this on-demand bus!
* Following the operation of Nikotto Bus, the town circuit bus "Fureai Shuttle" was abolished at the end of September 2012.
In order to improve means of transportation within town and make commuting easier for everyone, Niseko Town introduced Nikotto Bus (an on-demand bus service that picks passengers from their homes and sends them to their desired destination).
We solicited nicknames from many people so that this service would be dear to them, and decided on the name "Nikotto Bus".
"niko" means smile in Japanese. We hope to put a smile on everyone's face when using this on-demand bus!
* Following the operation of Nikotto Bus, the town circuit bus "Fureai Shuttle" was abolished at the end of September 2012.
What is "Nikotto BUS"?
Unlike ordinary buses, this bus operates by telephone reservations made in advance.
The bus will pick up passengers at their desired boarding location and time, based on passengers' requests, which are made by phone in advance, and will then take them to their desired disembarking location.
Normally, the bus will be shared to accommodate multiple passengers who have made reservations. The system will also select a route that will not cause significant inconvenience to any passengers.
※ No pre-registration required! Even first time users just need to make a phone call.
If you are not in a hurry, avoid the crowded morning departures, or make group reservations with your neighbours. Having a flexible departure and arrival time, will make the ride more enjoyable for all pasengers.
We ask for your understanding as a public transport that supports everyone in the region.
The bus will pick up passengers at their desired boarding location and time, based on passengers' requests, which are made by phone in advance, and will then take them to their desired disembarking location.
Normally, the bus will be shared to accommodate multiple passengers who have made reservations. The system will also select a route that will not cause significant inconvenience to any passengers.
※ No pre-registration required! Even first time users just need to make a phone call.
If you are not in a hurry, avoid the crowded morning departures, or make group reservations with your neighbours. Having a flexible departure and arrival time, will make the ride more enjoyable for all pasengers.
We ask for your understanding as a public transport that supports everyone in the region.
Operation content (boarding fare etc.)
Fare
1 trip = 200 yen(There are also discount coupons! You can purchase them in the car)
<Discounts will be applied in the following cases>
・ Preschool children ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Free
・ Children other than the above (junior high school students and younger) ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen)
・ Persons with a physical disability certificate: Half price (100 yen) * Half price for caregivers in the case of type 1
・ Those who have an Intellectual Disability Certificate (Rehabilitation certificate) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen) * In the case of type 1, the caregiver is also half price
・ Persons with a Mental Disability Certificate ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen) * Only valid for the person in question over 15 years old
・ Those who are certified as requiring long-term care ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen) * Only valid for the person in question
(Please show your disability certificate to the staff when you get off.)
<Discounts will be applied in the following cases>
・ Preschool children ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Free
・ Children other than the above (junior high school students and younger) ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen)
・ Persons with a physical disability certificate: Half price (100 yen) * Half price for caregivers in the case of type 1
・ Those who have an Intellectual Disability Certificate (Rehabilitation certificate) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen) * In the case of type 1, the caregiver is also half price
・ Persons with a Mental Disability Certificate ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen) * Only valid for the person in question over 15 years old
・ Those who are certified as requiring long-term care ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Half price (100 yen) * Only valid for the person in question
(Please show your disability certificate to the staff when you get off.)
Operation method
Area operation by on-demand bus (Article 4 of the Road Transport Law)
Provision method
- Door-to-door service
Operation date and time
- 8 AM to 7 PM
Reservation reception time
- 9:00 am to 12:00 pm * Lunch break from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
- From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm From 8 days before the use day
※ No pre-registration required! Even first time users just need to make a phone call.
※2026年3月1日より、土日の予約受付を中止します。これにより予約可能な日は月~金（祝日含む）となります
※2026年3月1日より、土日の予約受付を中止します。これにより予約可能な日は月~金（祝日含む）となります
Operation area
- All areas of the town (excluding Goshiki Onsen area, including the area around Konbu Station and Konbu Onsen Hospital)
- However, it is impossible to get on and off exclusively in Kombu and Ranikoshi.
- As southwest direction (Nishitomi, Fukui, Miyata direction), according to the reservation, we can connect to JR from Niseko station at 7:30 am as Nishitomi / Fukui Line 2 of "Fureai shuttle" is abolished, only weekdays I will operate ahead.
Vehicle type and number of vehicles
- One-box type (10 passengers), 2 vehicles riding both on weekends and holidays
Operating company
Niseko Bus Corporation
How to get on the Nikotto Bus
1. Call the reservation center (phone number: 0136-43-2200).
2. An operator will pick-up the phone, so please tell the following items.
(1) The name of the passenger
(2) Departure place (address, building name, etc.)
(3) Destination (address, building name, etc.)
(4) Preferred boarding date and time
The operator will then check your reservation status and let you know several available times from which you can choose the time that is most convenient for you.
→ The reservation is completed once the boarding time is confirmed
3. The reception desk will dispatch the car at the reservation date and time. Please wait at the boarding location (at the front of your house etc) you told at the time of reservation.
4. Please get on the bus as soon as it arrives.
→ If there is another reservation in the same direction as your destination, the ride will be shared with other passengers.
5. After you arrive at the destination, please pay the fare in the fare box at the time of getting off.
(Please show your disability certificate to the crew when you get off.)
2. An operator will pick-up the phone, so please tell the following items.
(1) The name of the passenger
(2) Departure place (address, building name, etc.)
(3) Destination (address, building name, etc.)
(4) Preferred boarding date and time
The operator will then check your reservation status and let you know several available times from which you can choose the time that is most convenient for you.
→ The reservation is completed once the boarding time is confirmed
3. The reception desk will dispatch the car at the reservation date and time. Please wait at the boarding location (at the front of your house etc) you told at the time of reservation.
4. Please get on the bus as soon as it arrives.
→ If there is another reservation in the same direction as your destination, the ride will be shared with other passengers.
5. After you arrive at the destination, please pay the fare in the fare box at the time of getting off.
(Please show your disability certificate to the crew when you get off.)
Things we would like you to know when making a reservation.
- If you know your return time in advance, it's convenient to make a reservation for the return trip when you make your outbound reservation.
- If there are multiple people getting on and off at the same location, one representative can make a group reservation by telling the number of people at the time of reservation.
- Nikotto Bus reservations can be made for one person or more.
- If there are no overlapping reservations, you may be able to go directly to your destination without sharing the ride.
- If there is a change in reservation (time, place, number of people, etc.), please call the reservation center approximately 45 minutes in advance.
- Depending on the time of day, the reservation center's phone lines may be busy.
- Also, If you are unable to reach the reservation center when trying to cancel your reservation, please contact Niseko Bus Co., Ltd. at 0136-44-2001.
Things to consider when using the bus service
- The bus is generally a shared ride. Please observe proper etiquette when riding. Smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited on board.
- Arrival time may be delayed, such as when a detour occurs due to traffic conditions.
- Please be sure to wait at the location and time you told at the time of reservation. Generally, the bus will depart once the reserved time is passed.
* To prevent infection with the new coronavirus, please wear a mask and cooperate with cough etiquette when you get on Nikotto Bus.
For details, please see the pamphlet below (4 pages).
- Nikotto Bus Pamphlet(PDF形式：887KB)
Cooperate with others during the ride!
※ "on-demand bus" means that people with different destinations and different time ride on the same bus.
If you are not in a hurry, avoid the crowded morning departures, or make group reservations with your neighbours. Having a flexible departure and arrival time, will make the ride more enjoyable for all pasengers.
We ask for your understanding as a public transport that supports everyone in the region.
If you are not in a hurry, avoid the crowded morning departures, or make group reservations with your neighbours. Having a flexible departure and arrival time, will make the ride more enjoyable for all pasengers.
We ask for your understanding as a public transport that supports everyone in the region.
How to ride the School Bus
School buses are provided for students going to and leaving school (3 busses in the afternoon)
For more information, see the Niseko Town Newsletter September issue special article.
For more information, see the Niseko Town Newsletter September issue special article.
Notes
- Like the "Fureai shuttle", not only school students but also general customers can use the service.
- The usage fee is free.
- Operation is 1 bus early in the morning (going to school) , 3 busses in the afternoon (leaving school).
- No operation on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, summer, winter, spring break, and temporary school closure due to events.
- Some bus stops and routes have been revised.
- Please only get on and off at designated school bus stops.
- Students going to the International school (HIS), or Niseko high school students can also board.
- For the detailed routes and times of the school bus, please see the following page.
Utilization of Local Public Transportation Maintenance Improvement Project (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
"Nikotto Bus" is supported by the national regional public transport securing, maintenance and improvement project for operating expenses.
In this system, each year the Regional Council will confirm and evaluate the project (primary evaluation) and publish its contents.
We will announce the contents of evaluation reported to Hokkaido Transport Bureau as follows.
* Secondary evaluation is conducted at the Transportation Bureau once every two years.
In this system, each year the Regional Council will confirm and evaluate the project (primary evaluation) and publish its contents.
We will announce the contents of evaluation reported to Hokkaido Transport Bureau as follows.
* Secondary evaluation is conducted at the Transportation Bureau once every two years.
令和7年度事業（令和6年10月～令和7年9月）
- Primary evaluation (Regional Council evaluation)(PDF形式：705KB)
- 2次評価（運輸局段階）R7(PDF形式：112KB)
- 2次評価（運輸局段階）R6(PDF形式：108KB)
令和6年度事業（令和5年10月～令和6年9月）
- Primary evaluation (Regional Council evaluation)(PDF形式：778KB)
令和5年度事業（令和4年10月～令和5年9月）
- Primary evaluation (Regional Council evaluation)(PDF形式：661KB)
- 2次評価(運輸局段階)R4-5(PDF形式：118KB)
2022 Project (2021-2022)
- Primary evaluation (Regional Council evaluation)(PDF形式：882KB)
2021 Project (2020-2021)
- Primary evaluation (regional council evaluation)(PDF形式：881KB)
2020 business (2019-2020)
- Primary evaluation (Regional Council evaluation)(PDF形式：503KB)
Business 2019 (October 2018 -2019)
- Primary evaluation (Regional Council evaluation)(PDF形式：365KB)
- Secondary evaluation (Transport Bureau stage) R1(PDF形式：64KB)
Project of Heisei 30 (October Heisei 29 2007 - September Heisei 30)
- Primary evaluation (regional council evaluation)(PDF形式：601KB)
- Secondary evaluation (Transportation Bureau stage) H30(PDF形式：61KB)
Heisei 30 fiscal year project (October Heisei era - September Heisei era29)
- Primary evaluation (regional council evaluation)(PDF形式：449KB)
Business in FY2008 (October Heisei 20 - September Heisei 28)
- Primary evaluation (regional council evaluation)(PDF形式：464KB)
Business for FY2005 (October Heisei 20 - September Heisei 20)
Business of Heisei 20 (October Heisei 20 - September Heisei 20)
Contact information for Nikotto Bus
Niseko Town Town Hall Planning & Environment Division Management Planning Section
Phone number: 0136-44-2121
Phone number: 0136-44-2121
You can also use local buses for convenient travel!
・ Niseko bus, Donan bus
- For travel within the town or to Kutchan (Kosei General Hospital), Niki, Yoichi, Otaru, and Sapporo, it is even more convenient to Nikotto bus in combination with the local busses (Otaru Line)!
- Local busses also stop at Road Station Niseko View Plaza and Mt. Yotei Trailhead!
- Niseko Town Demand Bus Operation PR Flyer(PDF形式：914KB)
Inquiries
- Planning & Environment Division
- TEL:0136-56-8837
- FAX:0136-44-3500