About

Sankai Transit is a small bus company connecting a hot spring resort surrounded by mountains, a peaceful rural town, and a seaside village. In this region, the railway only reaches the major towns, so the lifeline for the local people is the traditional route bus. Many of the vehicles are decades old, their engines roaring as they traverse the mountain paths today. Though the paint has faded, the locals affectionately regard them as "still going strong." The routes are divided into three main lines. First is the Hot Spring Line, which winds through the steam-filled streets of the resort area. It connects traditional inns and public baths, serving both tourists and residents alike. Second is the Mountain Line, heading into rugged terrain. It navigates narrow valley roads and mountain passes with continuous sharp curves to reach remote settlements. In winter, when the area is covered in deep snow, buses equipped with snowplows on the front are put into operation. Even on blizzard days, the drivers grip the steering wheel with care to protect the community's way of life. Third is the Coastal Line, heading toward the seaside town. After passing through plains filled with rice paddies and fields, the blue sea eventually comes into view. It is a popular route where passengers can watch the beautiful sunset from the windows in the evening. A unique feature of this region is the "Free Boarding Zone." In the mountainous areas where settlements are scattered, the bus will stop if a user raises their hand by the roadside, allowing them to board even away from a bus stop. Similarly, when getting off, if you press the buzzer and tell the driver, they will let you off anywhere that is safe. "Could you let me off just before Sugisawa Bridge?" "Sure thing." Such exchanges are a daily occurrence. Many of the passengers are familiar with one another, and it is not uncommon for the driver to strike up a conversation, asking, "Off to the hospital today?" or "The snow's really piled up, hasn't it?" Old buses that have disappeared from the cities, and the warm connections between people. Sankai Transit is not just a means of transportation, but a mobile community supporting the region. Today, a route bus continues its journey through the steam of the hot spring town, the snow-covered mountain villages, and the salt-scented coastal roads, its old engine echoing. There, a sense of time flows that is not just about convenience, but something deeply nostalgic.