#Japan #Kumamoto #Kumamoto City #Charichari #Kikuyo Town

Charichari Expands Share Bicycle Service in Kumamoto

Charichari Co., Ltd., which operates a popular bike-sharing service, has announced an exciting development for local commuters. Starting on September 16, 2025, at noon, Charichari will connect the biking areas of Kumamoto City and Kikuyo Town, creating a more integrated cycling experience for users.

Expansion Plans

As part of this expansion, a new area called the “Undou Park and Musashizuka Area” will be launched, significantly enhancing accessibility between the two regions. Additionally, Charichari is set to increase its fleet of electric assist bicycles by 500 units, bringing the total to 2,000 bicycles available in Kumamoto City by July 2025. This will ensure that residents and visitors have plenty of bicycles at their disposal for convenient urban transit.

Charichari launched its services in Fukuoka in February 2018 and quickly gained popularity across nine cities nationwide, amassing over 35 million rides. In Kumamoto City alone, the service has successfully offered 1,500 bicycles across 500 ports since its inception in April 2022, accumulating over 2.4 million rides by June 2025.

Responding to Community Needs

The decision to expand the service came after receiving numerous requests from users wishing for a connection between Kumamoto City and Kikuyo Town. Charichari began its service in Kikuyo Town in October 2024, and it recognized the need for seamless travel between the two areas, supporting the larger Kumamoto metropolitan area in addressing its transportation challenges. Discussions with local authorities have led to this strategic enhancement of the service area.

The extended area will also feature the addition of new ports, allowing for a more extensive and seamless biking experience. Specific port locations and service area details will be disclosed in future announcements.

Increased Bicycle Availability

Customer feedback has played a significant role in shaping this service expansion. With 43% of survey respondents mentioning a lack of electric assist bicycles, Charichari is actively responding by increasing its fleet. Starting from July 2025, users can expect an additional 500 electric assist bicycles, bringing the total to 2,050 units across both Kumamoto and Kikuyo areas.

Charichari aims to work closely with local communities to enhance mobility options within Kumamoto, making the city more accessible and better connected for its residents.

About Charichari

Charichari, recognizable by its striking red bicycles, provides an easy-to-use bike-sharing service via smartphone app, allowing users to unlock bicycles for just 7 yen per minute for standard bikes and 17 yen per minute for electric assist models. Since its establishment in Fukuoka, Charichari has also expanded to various locations, including Nagoya, Tokyo, and other regions in Kumamoto.

In addition to their bicycles, Charichari offers original safety helmets that meet stringent manufacturing standards, available through their official online store. Their helmets boast a stylish design suitable for both casual and professional attire, promoting safety while adding flair to riders' appearances.

Future Opportunities with Charichari

Charichari is also inviting businesses and individuals to become port owners, utilizing available spaces to house bike ports and enhance local infrastructure. With port setups available for as few as five bicycles, this initiative offers new opportunities for community engagement and local business partnerships.

For additional details about becoming a port owner, visit Charichari's website.

Charichari continues to innovate and expand, reinforcing its commitment to improving urban mobility solutions in Kumamoto and beyond.