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Nissan Motor (7201T and NSANY ADR) today announced that, in collaboration with Kobe City, it will begin a field test of an autonomous mobility service in the Nada Gogo area starting 19 January 2026.*
“The Nada Gogo area in Kobe is a renowned tourist destination, celebrated worldwide for its traditional sake brewing and rich history. Through this test, Nissan will leverage its autonomous driving technology to offer a new travel experience for visitors touring sake breweries, enhancing convenience for tourists and exploring opportunities for regional revitalization. The autonomous mobility service seeks to create new experiential value for visitors and contribute to the promotion of tourism in Kobe,” Nissan said.
“Through this pilot, Nissan will incorporate feedback from local residents and visitors to refine the service design. In fiscal year 2026, Nissan plans to expand the service area and boarding points, introduce on-demand operations using Serena-based Level 2 autonomous vehicles and start paid operation in 2027. The company aims for commercial operation in the Nada Gogo area by 2030. Furthermore, Nissan also envisions deploying autonomous vehicles in community public transportation, such as in new towns within Kobe City,” the Japanese automaker said.
Pilot Program Overview
- Organizers: Kobe City, Nissan Motor Co.
- Partners: Nada Gogo Sake Brewers Association, Moplus (planned).
- Period: 19 January (Mon) – 23 January (Fri), 2026.
- Route: Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum, Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo (approx. 20-minute loop, no stops).
- Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 pm.
- Vehicle: Nissan LEAF (capacity: 2 passengers – one in the front seat, one in the rear).
- Passenger Limit: 2 per trip.
Test Ride Details
- Registration Period: 28 November 2025 (Fri) 4:00 pm – 19 December 2025 (Fri) 5:00 pm.
- Eligibility: Kobe City residents, elementary school age or older, height of 150 cm or above.
- Slots: 50 participants (40 general, 10 in “Children’s Future” category).
- Application: https://event.city.kobe.lg.jp/event/Zga5Rf86orikHcmZWcrP.
- If applications exceed capacity, participants will be selected by lottery. Results will be announced in late December.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Nissan to Test Autonomous Mobility Service in Nada Gogo
Click for more.
Nissan Motor (7201T and NSANY ADR) today announced that, in collaboration with Kobe City, it will begin a field test of an autonomous mobility service in the Nada Gogo area starting 19 January 2026.*
“The Nada Gogo area in Kobe is a renowned tourist destination, celebrated worldwide for its traditional sake brewing and rich history. Through this test, Nissan will leverage its autonomous driving technology to offer a new travel experience for visitors touring sake breweries, enhancing convenience for tourists and exploring opportunities for regional revitalization. The autonomous mobility service seeks to create new experiential value for visitors and contribute to the promotion of tourism in Kobe,” Nissan said.
“Through this pilot, Nissan will incorporate feedback from local residents and visitors to refine the service design. In fiscal year 2026, Nissan plans to expand the service area and boarding points, introduce on-demand operations using Serena-based Level 2 autonomous vehicles and start paid operation in 2027. The company aims for commercial operation in the Nada Gogo area by 2030. Furthermore, Nissan also envisions deploying autonomous vehicles in community public transportation, such as in new towns within Kobe City,” the Japanese automaker said.
Pilot Program Overview
Test Ride Details
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.