A wrapped bus tour that travels through the real-world settings of the TV anime Natsume Yuujinchou has been confirmed. Operated in collaboration with Hitoyoshi City and the Kyushu Sanko Group, the tour is scheduled to run from December 2026.
Two Days Through the Anime’s Model Locations
The tour takes passengers across the locations said to have inspired the series over the course of two days, using a specially wrapped bus that blends the characters with scenery from the model areas. Riders will travel through the rich winter nature of Hitoyoshi and Kuma.
The bus design is a collage of Hitoyoshi’s beautiful landscapes, built around a fresh blue palette inspired by the clear waters of the Kuma River.
Course Highlights Include a Restored Bridge and a Reopened Railway
Among the stops on the route is Tengu Bridge, which suffered severe damage in the heavy rain disaster and was restored last year. The itinerary also includes a ride on the Kuma River Railway, which has just reopened along its full line for the first time in six years, as well as Okadome Kofuku Station, the only station in Japan to carry the word “happiness” in its name.
Many of the model locations sit along atmospheric narrow paths that a bus cannot enter, and some hidden landmarks can only be reached on foot after roughly ten minutes of walking. For fans, the views that appear at the end of those walks should prove especially moving.
A Tour That Brings Out the Appeal of Hitoyoshi and Kuma
The bus tour is designed to let visitors experience the charm of Hitoyoshi and Kuma while following in the footsteps of Natsume Yuujinchou. Details such as the original novelties being prepared for participants can be checked on the Kyushu Sanko Tourism reservation site.
About the Series
Natsume Yuujinchou is a manga by Midorikawa Yuki, currently serialized in Monthly LaLa. Its story follows Natsume Takashi, a lonely boy who carries the secret that he can see youkai. After inheriting the “Yuujin-chou,” a keepsake left behind by his powerful grandmother Reiko, he finds himself pursued by youkai. Alongside Nyanko-sensei, his self-appointed bodyguard, Natsume spends his busy days dealing with the contracts his grandmother made with those spirits in this tale of ayakashi pacts.
The TV anime began with its first season in 2008 and has since aired through a sixth season. Kamiya Hiroshi voices the protagonist Natsume Takashi, while Inoue Kazuhiko plays Nyanko-sensei.
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Natsume Takashi | Kamiya Hiroshi |
| Nyanko-sensei | Inoue Kazuhiko |
In September 2018, the franchise’s first feature film, depicting a full-length original episode, was released in theaters. In January 2021, two short episodes popular among fans received a limited theatrical screening. The seventh season, Natsume Yuujinchou Shichi, aired from October 7, 2024.
Tour Outline
TV Anime Natsume Yuujinchou: Ride the Wrapped Bus to Winter’s Ayakashi Village Tour! Hitoyoshi and Kuma Bus Tour
| Operation period | December 12, 2026 (Sat) to February 28, 2027 (Sun), for a planned total of 11 operating days |
|---|---|
| Reservations open | October 14, 2026 (Wed) |
All images are for illustrative purposes. Contents may be changed or cancelled without notice. For details on how to make a reservation, please contact the operating company.
(Hori Megumi / AnimeAnime.jp)
