News Release
Japan’s First Environmentally Friendly Mobility as a Service (MaaS) for Tourists to be Initiated from October 28!
Sep 30, 2021
TOKYO, Japan - September 30, 2021 - ORIX Auto Corporation (hereinafter, “ORIX Auto”) announced today that together with Tobu Railway Co., Ltd., JTB Corp., Tochigi Prefecture, JTB Communication Design, Inc. and Toyota Tochigi Rental & Leasing Co., Ltd., it would successively initiate NIKKO MaaS, Japan’s first environmentally friendly MaaS for tourists, for the Nikko region in Tochigi Prefecture from October 28, 2021.
NIKKO MaaS is a one-stop service enabling users to search for, purchase and use tourism content from the NIKKO MaaS website. Content will include discounted digital limited free passes for set packages of railroad and bus travel in the Nikko region, environmentally-friendly mobility deals such as EV and PHV car-sharing, bicycle sharing, and EV buses (low-pollution buses), as well as tourism content such as viewing/entry tickets for historical and cultural facilities etc. and nature activities. Users will be able to seamlessly enjoy sightseeing in the Nikko/Kinugawa River area with a single smartphone.
By offering bargain-price and convenient digital limited free passes, NIKKO MaaS aims to further encourage people to visit the area by railroad rather than by automobile and ease traffic congestion in the Nikko region. It also aims to promote the adoption of EVs before sales to the general public and the installation of RE100 charging stations to become a leading model for a decarbonized society. The Nikko region brand will raise awareness of the Nikko region as an environmentally friendly tourist destination while achieving regional vitalization by promoting sightseeing, to enable users to enjoy the Nikko region, where history, culture, tradition, and nature exist side-by-side, more conveniently and comfortably.
The details of NIKKO MaaS are shown in a separate attachment.
About NIKKO MaaS, an environmentally-friendly tourism MaaS
1. Project name: NIKKO MaaS
2. Start date: October 28 (Thu), 2021
3. Target area: Nikko region (Nikko World Heritage Site area, Chuzenji/Okunikko area, Kinugawa Onsen area, Yunishigawa Onsen area)
4. Participating companies
| Operator name | Main roles |
|---|---|
| Tobu Railway | ・Overall oversight, establishment and operation of NIKKO MaaS ・Sales of digital transportation free passes |
| JTB | ・Establishment and operation of NIKKO MaaS ・ Viewing, entry, experience product management |
| Tochigi Prefecture | Establishment and operation of EV and PHV charging stations |
| JTB Communication Design | |
| ORIX Auto | Installation and operation of EV and PHV car-sharing vehicles |
| Toyota Tochigi Rental & Leasing |
5. Service details
(1)About NIKKO MaaS website
NIKKO MaaS is a new type of travel support system that makes it possible to smoothly search for, purchase and use car-sharing and tourism-related content, etc. in the Nikko region via a smartphone. These include free passes from Tobu Railway stations to Nikko.
Previously, users had to obtain tickets, book rental vehicles and search for tourism content at various websites. However, the NIKKO MaaS website is a major project that extends over corporate boundaries, enabling users to search for, purchase and use all content through the said website.
Japan’s first environmentally friendly MaaS for tourists, which also focuses on environmental concerns in the Nikko region, aims to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce CO2 emissions through the installation of EV and PHV car-sharing and rapid charging stations etc. in the region.
(2)Bargain-price digital free pass for rail/bus
Users can purchase four types of digital free passes to enable easier use and greater discounts depending on their purpose of travel (history, culture, tradition, nature etc.) and travel area. Compared to conventional special ticket series, users can purchase free passes that are more closely tailored to their needs. Users can also enjoy the Nikko and Kinugawa River area more than ever before with the addition of approximately 50 store outlets offering special deals to free pass-holders.
| Name |
Price (Adult, from Asakusa) |
Period of validity | Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Railway segments | Free bus segments | |||
| Nikko World Heritage Site digital free pass | 2,500 yen | 2 days | For users who want to leisurely enjoy visiting two shrines and one temple that are World Heritage Sites and leading spiritual hot spots in Japan. | |
| ・Two-way rail ticket from embarkation station to Shimoimaichi ・Shimoimaichi – Tobu-nikko, Shinfujiwara (can embark and disembark freely) |
・Tobu-nikko Station – two shrines and one temple (Tobu Bus Nikko) | |||
| Kinugawa Onsen digital free pass | 2,500 yen | 2 days | For users who want to stay at the Kinugawa Onsen, a leading hot spring town in the Kanto region, and enjoy leisure facilities in the Kinugawa area. | |
| ・Two-way rail ticket from embarkation station – Shimoimaichi ・Shimoimaichi – Tobu-nikko, Shinfujiwara (can embark and disembark freely) |
・Kinugawa-onsen Station – Tobu World Square – Edo Wonderland (Nikko Koutsu) ・Kinugawa-onsen Station – Kinugawa- Kōen Station (same as above) |
|||
| Chuzenji/Okunikko digital free pass | 4,500 yen | 4 days | For users who want to fully enjoy the entire Nikko region including two shrines and one temple that are World Heritage Sites and leading spiritual hot spots in Japan as well as glorious natural sites. | |
| ・Two-way rail ticket from embarkation station – Shimoimaichi ・Shimoimaichi – Tobunikko, Shinfujiwara (can embark and disembark freely) |
・Tobunikko Station – two shrines and one temple (Tobu Bus Nikko) ・Tobunikko Station – Chuzenji Onsen – Yumoto Onsen/Kotoku Onsen/Okuhosoo, Chuzenji Onsen – Tachiki-kannonmae – Hangetsuyama (same as above) ・Akanumashako – Senjugahama (low-pollution bus) |
|||
| Yunishigawa Onsen digital free pass | 4,500 yen | 4 days | For users who want to Kinugawa Onsen, a leading hot spring town in the Kanto region, and Yunishigawa Onsen, where many ryokan inns line the valley and events are held on over 100 days per year. | |
| ・Two-way rail ticket from embarkation station – Shimoimaichi ・Shimoimaichi – Tobunikko, Yunishigawa Onsen (can embark and disembark freely) |
・Kinugawaonsen Station – Tobu World Square –Edo Wonderland (Nikko Koutsu) ・Kinugawaonsen Station – Kawaji Onsen – Yunishigawa Onsen (same as above) |
|||
(3)Environmentally-friendly car-sharing of EVs and PHVs
Car-sharing for cutting-edge EVs and PHVs, which are environmentally-friendly, has been introduced to the Nikko area. Vehicles can be rented and returned 365 days/year, 24 hours/day via the NIKKO MaaS website. Users can search for their closest car-sharing site and receive directions to the said site. Car-sharing ports will be installed at key transportation areas such as at Tobu Nikko Ekimae and Chuzenji Bus Terminal to increase the level of convenience.
[ORIX Auto and Toyota Tochigi Rental & Leasing car-sharing port]
Installation sites: Tobunikko Station, Chuzenji Bus Terminal, Yumoto Bus Terminal, Kinugawa Onsen Ekimae
[“C+pod,” an ultra-compact vehicle by Toyota]
The C+pod was created as an environmentally-friendly, two-seater EV that is perfect for the transportation of small numbers of people. It is offered as a vehicle that can be used by all individuals who require transportation from Nikko city.
(4)Installation of convenient EV and PHV charging stations
Rapid charging stations will be installed at the Kegon Falls and Akanuma (in Senjogahara) parking lot. This infrastructure is suited to tourist spots as it enables rapid charging (approx. 60 minutes) (installation planned for January 2022 onward).
Infrastructure for RE100 EV and PHV charging stations will continue to be expanded in collaboration with tourism operators etc. in the Nikko region.
* RE100: Corporate initiative aiming for business operation with 100% renewable energy
(5)Bicycle sharing coordination
This service is coordinated so that users can seamlessly search for and use bicycles available to be rented at sites such as Tobu Nikko Ekimae and the Nikko Natural Science Museum.
[HELLO CYCLING]
Bicycle stations: Tobunikko Station, Tobu Nikko Ekimae Hiroba, mekke nikko, RIN-NOJI Temple Sanbutsudo, Taiyuuin entrance, Kanaya Hotel History House, and more
* In this area, SINANEN MOBILITY+ CO.,LTD. deploys “DAICHARI” leveraging the “HELLO CYCLING” bicycle sharing platform.
[Docomo Bike Share]
Bicycle stations: Nikko Natural Science Museum, Sanbonmatsu chaya Ecotourism Center
(6)Route navigation
Various mobility routes are supported including trains, buses, walking and bicycle sharing.
(7)Tourism content
Users can reserve, purchase, and use various tourism content through the NIKKO MaaS website. This will include viewing/entry tickets for historical and cultural facilities etc. as well as experience-based programs. One-stop tourism ticket purchasing and use on the NIKKO MaaS website will be enabled from March 2022.
[Tourism content (examples)]
・ Nikko Toshogu Shrine
・ Nikko-zan Rinnoji Temple
・ Nikko Futarasan Shrine
・ Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
・ Akechidaira Ropeway
・ Chuzenjiko Cruise
・ EDO WONDERLAND Nikko Edomura
・ Nikko Osaruland
・ Trickart Pia Nikko
・ Nikko Odekake Salon
・ Nikko Natural Science Museum, nature guides, hands-on nature events
・ British Embassy Villa Memorial Park
・ Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park and more
* See the NIKKO MaaS website (https://www.tobu-maas.jp/lp 
(in Japanese)) for details.
(8)Nikko tourism map
Contact Information:
Investor Relations and Sustainability Department
ORIX Corporation
Tel: +81-3-3435-3121
About ORIX:
ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is a financial services group which provides innovative products and services to its customers by constantly pursuing new businesses.
Established in 1964, from its start in the leasing business, ORIX has advanced into neighboring fields and at present has expanded into lending, investment, life insurance, banking, asset management, automobile related, real estate and environment and energy related businesses. Since entering Hong Kong in 1971, ORIX has spread its businesses globally by establishing locations in 31 countries and regions across the world.
Going forward, ORIX intends to utilize its strengths and expertise, which generate new value, to establish an independent ORIX business model that continues to evolve perpetually. In this way, ORIX will engage in business activities that instill vitality in its companies and workforce, and thereby contribute to society. For more details, please visit our website: https://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/
(As of March 31, 2021)
Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements:
These documents May contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial results that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results that differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and under “(4) Risk Factors” of the “1. Summary of Consolidated Financial Results” of the “Consolidated Financial Results April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021.”
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