Nissan Motor will begin a field test of an autonomous mobility service in Kobe City’s Nada Gogo area from Jan. 19, 2026, as part of a joint initiative with the local government to address regional transportation challenges and develop new mobility solutions, the automaker said on Thursday.
The Nada Gogo district is a major tourist destination known for its traditional sake breweries and historical sites. Nissan said the pilot will use its autonomous driving technology to offer visitors a new way to tour the area, improving convenience for tourists while exploring opportunities to contribute to regional economic revitalisation. The company aims to create new experiential value linked to tourism and local culture through the service.
See also: Mitsubishi and Nissan to Establish Joint Venture for Autonomous Driving Technology
During the initial trial phase, Nissan plans to collect feedback from residents and visitors to refine the service design. In fiscal 2026, the automaker intends to expand the service area and boarding points and introduce on-demand operations using Serena-based Level 2 autonomous vehicles.
Paid operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, with the company targeting full commercial deployment in the Nada Gogo area by around 2030. Nissan is also considering the future use of autonomous vehicles in community public transportation, including new residential developments in Kobe.
See also: Nissan Launches Autonomous Driving Trials in Japan with LEAF Prototype
Under the pilot programme, the service will operate on a loop route connecting key tourist sites, including the Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum and Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo.
The approximately 20-minute route will run without intermediate stops. Operations are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. between Jan. 19 and Jan. 23, 2026. The vehicle used for the trial will be a Nissan Leaf with a maximum capacity of two passengers per trip.
