Nissan will conduct a field test of an autonomous mobility service in the Nada Gogo area of Kobe City from 19 to 23 January 2026, in partnership with the municipal government. The trial is intended to address local transport gaps and offer new mobility options for visitors touring the historic sake-brewing district.
The company plans to introduce paid operation in 2027 and aims to begin full commercial service in the area by 2030, with the possibility of later integrating the service into wider community public transportation within Kobe.
The pilot program will use Nissan LEAF vehicles equipped with Level 2 autonomous driving technology. Each vehicle will accommodate two passengers and operate on a 20-minute loop route linking four key attractions: Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan, the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum, and the Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo.
Fifty participants will take part in the initial test, with rides available between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Registration is open to Kobe City residents who are at least elementary-school age and 150 centimetres or taller.
Nissan plans to expand the service area and increase boarding points during fiscal year 2026. The company also intends to introduce on-demand operations using Serena-based Level 2 autonomous vehicles as part of the next phase. The Nada Gogo district is a major tourist destination, recognized for its long sake-brewing tradition and cultural heritage.
Nissan has been demonstrating autonomous mobility since launching the EasyRide project in 2018, with repeated trials in Yokohama. The Kobe initiative represents the next stage in applying autonomous technology to regional mobility needs, tourism promotion, and local revitalisation.
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