Buses are one of the familiar means of transportation often used for commuting, going to school, or outings. However, have you ever taken a close look at them in detail?
An event featuring buses was held at the Kounoike Service Area in Kojima (hereinafter referred to as "Kounoike SA").
In addition to bus displays, there were food stalls, capsule toys, and merchandise corners, offering various ways to enjoy the event.
What particularly caught my attention was the scribble bus.
Enticed by the appealing notion of scribbling on a bus, something that is normally absolutely not allowed, I decided to participate.
What is the "Bus Festival"?
The Bus Festival is an event themed around buses, organized by the JB Honshi Expressway Group.
It was held on March 1, 2025 (Saturday) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Kounoike SA (upbound).
Active route buses operating in Okayama Prefecture, transport vehicles from the Okayama Prefectural Police, and bonnet buses gathered in large numbers.
The Day's Events
On the morning of the event, the sky was overcast. The temperature felt chilly, reminiscent of winter, but it did not rain, and by early afternoon, there were glimpses of sunshine.
I parked my car at the municipal parking lot in front of Kojima Station and took the shuttle bus.
Feeling the excitement before participating in the event, I rode the bus for about 20 minutes and arrived at the venue, Kounoike SA.
The first thing that caught my eye at the venue was the lineup of display buses.
I arrived before 10:00 AM, but many people had already gathered.
Press the Bus Stop Button as Much as You Want & Enjoy the Forbidden Fun of the Scribble Bus
The first place I headed to was the corner where you could press the bus stop button as much as you wanted.
Bus stop buttons from all over the country were on display, and I was surprised by the sheer number.
Today, you can press as much as you want.
I tried out the buttons that caught my interest at random.
In addition to Japanese ones, bus stop buttons from foreign countries such as Germany and Italy were also on display.
The foreign bus stop buttons were impressively longer and larger than the Japanese ones.
The second forbidden fun was the scribble bus.
The sightseeing bus from Shimotsui Electric Railway served as the canvas, allowing for unlimited scribbling.
Children beamed with joy at this rare experience that would normally be unacceptable, while adults returned to their childhood and expressed their creativity through scribbling.
Thanks to the hands of many people, the bus was beautifully decorated.
Shop and Participate in the Event
I heard that shopping at the shop would allow me to participate in several events, so I decided to go shopping right away.
In front of souvenirs that are not often seen, I was able to enjoy a bit of a sightseeing mood.
Since my total was over 2,000 yen, I was able to participate in the unlimited candy filling event.
I filled a paper cup with candy, and if I could hold it for 5 seconds, I would get to keep the candy I filled.
This was the second benefit for purchases over 2,000 yen.
I received a bonus Kojima souvenir (limited to the first 150 people). The name "Kojimiyage" is very charming.
For every 500 yen spent at the in-store shop, a game ticket is distributed.
With one game ticket, you could choose to play either a shooting game or a ring toss game, or enjoy a capsule toy.
Let's Actually Touch a Bus
I also participated in the Bus Pre-Operation Inspection Experience.
There were many inspection items, such as checking the tire pressure and engine oil.
We proceeded while being taught about each one.
I sat in the driver's seat, actually started the engine, and even tried making an in-car announcement, which made me feel like I was really a bus driver.
The daily detailed inspection work supports the safe operation of buses.
After finishing the inspection experience, I went to see other buses.
The buses, each full of personality, have various features. I enjoyed comparing the differences in interior design and testing the comfort of the seats.
In Conclusion
At the bus festival, there were many hands-on events prepared, allowing both adults and children to enjoy the charm of buses.
According to a representative from a certain bus company, this is the second time the bus festival has been held. They are still in a trial-and-error phase with the event. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the creativity they have put into organizing the event.
The bus festival was enjoyed by a wide range of generations. I look forward to the next event and eagerly await that day.
Bus Festival 2025 in Konoike SA Data
| Name | Bus Festival 2025 in Konoike SA |
|---|---|
| Date | March 1, 2025 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | E30 Seto Chuo Expressway Konoike Service Area (Upbound) |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free |
| Website | JB Highway Service Co., Ltd. |
