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Komatsu Share Cycle: A New Way to Explore Komatsu!

A new bike sharing service has been launched in Komatsu City!

 

It is now possible to explore the vast nature from mountain to sea with ease, and get an ever more intimate encounter with local life and community! The perfect way to get an authentic experience of the rich culture and spirit of Komatsu.

 

What’s more, the electric-assist bikes provided allow you to travel further, and strike a balance between working your body and avoiding overexertion. A healthy way to travel for both your body and the environment!

 

Jump to:

How it Works

Price

Port Locations

How to Rent/Return

Model Routes

How it Works

Unlike bike rental shops, bike sharing allows you to pick up a bike from various ports around the city, and return them at any other port (from which someone else can use the bike, hence the concept of “sharing”!).

 

Fees are charged based on the length of use, or at a fixed price with the one-day pass.

 

It is a digitalized service where a smartphone app is used to search for available bikes, reserve and pay, and unlock and return them. This means the bikes can be rented and returned 24/7!

*In general, you will require the app and a credit card to use the bikes, but cash payment is also possible if you purchase the one-day pass at a service counter or convenience store.

 

They are all electric bikes, allowing you to reduce exertion on slopes and over long-distances (as long as you haven’t used up the battery!)

 

Price

There are three usage options: one-time use (time-based), monthly plan, or 1-day pass.

 

One-time Use

165 yen for first 30 min per rental

*110 yen per additional 30 min

Monthly Use

With monthly fee of 1650 yen/ month,

Free for first 30 min per rental

*110 yen per additional 30 minutes

1-day Pass

Service counter: 1650 yen/ day

Online or convenience store: 1430 yen/ day

 

Port Locations

There are 2 types of ports:

 

1) Main Ports: Bikes are regularly stationed. As long as not all the bikes allocated there have been rented at that time, it is generally possible to rent a bike from these ports.

 

2) Sub-ports: Bikes can be returned here, but generally not available for rental unless there happens to be a bike that was just returned there.

 

*Main ports have a designated number of bikes, and regular reallocation is conducted by staff to “refill” the bikes. On the other hand, any bikes left at sub-ports will be regularly picked up by staff and returned to the main ports.

 

 

 

Main Ports

*click for google map location of each port

  1. Komatsu Station (West Exit Urara Theater)
  2. Komatsu Airport
  3. Komatsu City Hall
  4. Suehiro Gymnasium
  5. AL PLAZA Komatsu
  6. AEON MALL Shinkomatsu
  7. Awazu Station
  8. Lake Kiba Park Central Zone
  9. Awazu Onsen
  10. Natadera Temple
  11. Komatsu Station (East Exit Komatsu Nine Tourist Center)

Sub-ports

  1. Meiho Station
  2. Ataka-no-seki Barrier Ruins
  3. Yokaichi-machi
  4. Komatsu University (Suehiro Campus)
  5. CERABO KUTANI (Kutani Ceramic Laboratory)
  6. Hanibe Caves
  7. Roadside Station Komatsu Kibagata
  8. Komatsu Dome
  9. Motorcar Museum of Japan
  10. Yunokuni no Mori (Traditional Handicrafts Village)
  11. Satoyama Nature School in Takigahara
  12. Hokkoku Toori Street (Ryusuke-cho)
  13. Archaeological Research Center
  14. Kaga Kokufu Museum

How to Rent/Return

The process for payment, unlocking and return varies slightly between one-time/monthly use and day pass use.

For One-time/Monthly Use

 

Items Needed:

-Smartphone app

-Credit card

1) Download “Docomo Bike Share” application

From Google Play Store

From Apple App Store

*Wifi connection not needed for download

2) Register as a member (free)
3) Select a bike with or without reservation

Select desired port from app map and choose bicycle number to reserve

OR

Go to the port and pick a bike from there

4) Unlock bike
  • From app menu, click “Unlock” > “Oval Device”
  • Press the “Start” button on bike panel
  • Scan QR code on bike panel.
  • Bike is unlocked and ready for riding!
5) Return bike
  • Park the bike at any main or sub port.
  • Press and slide knob on the bike’s physical lock.
  • Press the “Return” button on the bike’s panel. A blue ring should light up.
  • Check that you receive a “return complete notification” on the app.

*Fees will continue to be incurred if you park anywhere else other than a port.

For Day Pass Use

1) Purchase pass from service counter /website /convenience store

Service counter

Komatsu Airport

(1F Sora-no-eki souvenir shop)

 

Komatsu Station

(Komatsu Souvenir Store in Komatsu Nine Tourist Center)

 

You will receive a card key.

 

*Cash payment possible, smartphone not required

 

Website

1-day pass purchase page

You will receive a link via email for bike rental page.

 

*Smartphone and credit card required.

 

Convenience store

  • Purchase a ticket at any 7-Eleven (Multi-copy machine) or FamilyMart (FamiPort machine).
  • Scan QR code on ticket for bike rental page.

*Cash payment possible, but smartphone that can receive SMS required.

2) Select and unlock bike at port

For service counter purchase:

  • Simply press “Start” button on selected bike, and scan card key over bike panel.

 

For online/convenience store purchase:

  • Enter bike number of selected bike on respective page.
  • Press “Start” button on bike panel.
  • Click “Unlock” on respective page.
3) Temporary parking
  • Park the bike at a regular bicycle parking area.
  • If you park the bike at or near a port, the automatic return function may be activated.
4) Return bike
  • Park the bike at any main or sub port.
  • Press and slide knob on the bike’s physical lock.
  • Press the “Return” button on the bike’s panel. A blue ring should light up.

*validity period of day pass is until 23:59 on the day of use (not 24h!)

*you can rent a new bike as many times as you like within the day.

 

 

Model Routes

Sakura Route

Rent at Komatsu Station → Cycle (8 min) → Return at Komatsu City Hall → Walk (3 min) → Enjoy sakura at Rojo Park!

 

 

→ Walk (3 min) → Rent at City Hall → Cycle (50 min) → Return at Hanibe Caves → Enjoy sakura at Hanibe Caves!

→ Walk (15 min) → Enjoy sakura at Yusenji Copper Mine Memorial Park!

→ Walk (15 min) → Rent at Hanibe Caves → Cycle (5 min) → Enjoy Ugawa Ancient Sakura! → Cycle (55 min) → Return at Lake Kiba Park Central Zone → Enjoy sakura at Lake Kiba Park!

→ Rent at Lake Kiba Park Central Zone → Cycle (3o min) → Return at Komatsu Station

 

Total travel time: 3h~

Bike usage cost: 880 yen~

History Route

Rent at Awazu Station → Cycle (20 min) → Return at Motorcar Museum of Japan -> Enjoy the oldest car museum in Japan!

 

 

→ Rent at Motorcar Museum of Japan → Cycle (8 min) → Return at Yunokuni no Mori → Experience traditional crafts at Yunokuni no Mori!

→ Rent at Yunokuni no Mori → Cycle (13 min) → Return at Natadera Temple → Explore a 1300-year-old temple!

→ Rent at Natadera Temple → Cycle (20 min) → Return at Awazu Onsen → Take a soak at the public bath or check-in to a ryokan inn at the oldest onsen town in Hokuriku!

 

Hoshi Ryokan, one of the many historical inns at Awazu Onsen over 1300 years old.

 

→ Cycle (23 min) → Return at Awazu Station

 

Total travel time: 1.5h~

Bike usage cost: 825 yen~

Mountain to Sea Route 1

Rent at Awazu Station → Cycle (30 min) → Return at Natadera Temple → Explore a 1300-year-old temple in the mountains!

→ Rent at Natadera Temple → Cycle (15 min) → Return at Satoyama Nature School in Takigahara → Walk (10 min) → Explore Takigahara Farm and Takigahara Cafe!

→ Walk (10 min) → Rent at Satoyama Nature School in Takigahara → Cycle (2h 15 min, via Komatsu-Kaga coastal bike path!) → Return at Ataka-no-seki Barrier Ruins → Walk (10 mins) → Enjoy sunset and Ataka Cafe by the sea!

 

Sunset at Ataka Beach

 

→ Walk (10 mins) → Rent at Ataka-no-seki Barrier Ruins → Cycle (25 mins) → Return at Komatsu Station

 

Total travel time: 4h~

Bike usage cost: 1100 yen~

 

Mountain to Sea Route 2

*recommended for late Apr-early May, the following articles provide useful reference:

Rent at Komatsu Station → Cycle (40 mins) → Admire shibazakura moss phlox (late Apr-early May) at Road Park Nakaumi no Sato and get some ice cream and snacks at the Kinoko no Sato produce store!

 

→ Cycle (10 mins) → Return at Hanibe Caves → Walk (15 min) → Admire iris grove (late Apr-early May) at Yusenji Copper Mine Memorial Park

 

Iris grove at Yusenji Copper Mine Memorial Park

 

→ Walk (15 min) → Rent at Hanibe Caves → Cycle (50 mins) → Return at Komatsu City Hall → Walk (3 min) → Enjoy wisteria at Rojo Park!

 

Wisteria at Rojo Park

 

→ Walk (3 min) → Rent at City Hall → Cycle (20 mins) → Return at Ataka-no-seki Barrier Ruins → Walk (10 mins) → Enjoy sunset and Ataka Cafe by the sea!

 

Ataka Cafe

Ataka Cafe

 

→ Walk (10 mins) → Rent at Ataka-no-seki Barrier Ruins → Cycle (25 mins) → Return at Komatsu Station

 

Total travel time: 3.5h~

Bike usage cost: 990 yen~