Bus Kagoshima to Chiran Wheelchair Access?

I would like to take the bus from Kagoshima Chuo Station to Chiran to see the peace museum and the Samurai district. I am a full time wheelchair user and need an accessible bus in order to travel. Is the bus from Kagoshima Chuo Station to Chiran Wheelchair Accessible? Thanks

The bus from Kagoshima Chuo to Chiran is run by Kagoshima Kotsu, so I called Kagoshima Kotsu and asked them (I am a Japanese living in Kagoshima). It is a simple response on the phone, so I may have misunderstood, but it is roughly as follows.

The buses in Kagoshima city are wheelchair accessible (my understanding is that they have a wheelchair mark and there is a place to put the wheelchair inside the bus). Some buses from Kagoshima Chuo to Chiran have wheelchair places and some do not. If you inform them of the date and time in advance, they may be able to provide a wheelchair-accessible bus. Telephone calls are accepted at the Kagoshima sales office. The telephone number is 099-247-2333.

Calls are basically answered in Japanese. There is only one staff member who speaks English, but that person is not always available.

If you let me know the date, time and number of persons, I can call them and ask them.

Thank you so much for the reply!

I will be travelling to Kagoshima by cruise ship on Tuesday 8th July. I will be at the cruise terminal by 10am but will need to catch a regular taxi or city bus to the Kagoshimachuo Station so I am aiming for an 11:30am bus and need to be back at the station before 5pm. There is only me. can you please ask the bus timetable?

Arigato gozaimasu

Gerard

Hi Gerald,

As far as I searched, this is the current timetable.

https://www.city.minamikyushu.lg.jp/kankosite/access/5573.html

From Kagoshimachuo, there is 12:10 bus arriving Tokkoukannon Iriguchi (200 m from Chiran Tokkou museum) at 13:31. The samurai district is 3 km away from the museum. The return bus departs at 14:36 or 15:56, arrives at 15:57 or 17:24.

Alternatively, I can pick you up at the Marine Port and drive you to Chiran, and then back to the port. I did this kind of drives three times in recent 10 years and quite enjoyed them.

Disclaimer:

I am not a professional driver, so I rely entirely on the Honda navigation system for my driving route. If I take a wrong turn, it will be Honda's fault, but I do not know whether Honda would approve of that.

This drive is based solely on friendship between you and me. No money of any kind will be exchanged.

My ability to speak English is not guaranteed by any official authority. Also, I do not have the knowledge expected for a tourist guide.

Masao

Masao-san, thank you so much for your kind offer but I have arranged an alternative taxi tour with some other people.

All the best Regards
Gerad

That's nice to hear. Enjoy your trip in Kagoshima!

By he way, it is extremely hot here in Kagoshima. Bring water for drinking and cooling body.

Frog - you are amazing!
This forum has some very helpful people and it makes me feel so lucky to have found it

Thank you, Winter Visitor.

I half retired in 2020, and completely in 2023. So I have plenty of time :). So if you regular posters of this forum want a driver, don�ft hesitate to ask me. I am a Japanese and always thankful to posters here so I would be happy to drive you within a day trip area in Kagoshima.