SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
-
TOP
» Japan
-
» New anime train and bus ready to receive the love of Love Live! Sunshine!! fans in Shizuoka
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
New anime train and bus ready to receive the love of Love Live! Sunshine!! fans in Shizuoka
Casey Baseel Sep 27, 2019- Tweet

Public transportation network welcomes otaku to one of modern anime’s holy sites.
Numazu, a mid-sized city on the coast of Shizuoka Prefecture, didn’t use to be a town many anime fans spent much time thinking about, but that suddenly changed when the town was chosen as the setting for Love Live! Sunshine!!, the second arc of the massively popular Love Live! schoolgirl idol singer multimedia franchise. Practically overnight, a visit to the area got a slot on the travel aspirations of Love Livers, and the series’ hard-core fans are known, and there’s likely to be a fresh wave of otaku visitors commemorating the release of the fourth single from Aqours, Love Live! Sunshine!!’s in-universe idol unit, which just came out on September 25.
▼ Video for Aqours’ new single, “Mitaiken Horizon”
Of course, all those visiting Love Livers (as the series’ hard-core fans are known) will need a way to get around Numazu once they arrive in town for their anime pilgrimage, and transportation provider Izuhakone Railway, which also operates the local bus network, is happy to accommodate their otaku passions with a new Love Live! Sunshine!! ita-bus.
The bus features all nine members of Aqours, dressed in their butterfly-motif outfits from the “Mitaiken Horizon” video. While the exact routes the bus will run aren’t set, it has already gone into service, and is being used to carry passengers along routes that lead to/from Numazu Station.
This is actually the fourth Love Live! bus that Izuhakone Railway has created, with previous versions making their debut at a pace of one a year since 2016. While they were originally intended o run for only a limited time, their service has been extended due to popular demand, and there’s likewise no pre-determined retirement date for the “Mitaiken Horizon” bus either.
▼ Other Love Live! busses in the Izuhakone Railway fleet
In addition, Izuhakone also currently has a three-car Love Live! Sunshine!! ita-train travelling up and down its Sunzu Line, which connects Shizuoka’s Mishima and Shuzenji Stations.
However, the Love Live! train, which made its maiden voyage on August 28, does have a set window of operation, with its last run scheduled for October 17. Meanwhile, if you like the idea of otaku-oriented vehicles but concerned about the lack of flexibility with public transportation, you might want to consider Numazu’s official Love Live! rental car itasha instead.
Source: Izuhakone Raiway via IT Media
Top image: Izuhakone Railway
Insert images: Izuhaoke Railway (1, 2, 3)
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Like this:
Like Loading…
- Japan
- (anime • busses • itasha • love live • Love Live Sunshine!! • Numazu • Shizuoka • trains • travel)
Related Stories
Two teen boys in Japan arrested for vandalizing Love Live! anime manhole cover
Japanese police make third arrest in connection with Love Live! anime manhole vandalism spree
Love Live! Sunshine!! debuts sailor uniform rucksacks and pouches that look like an anime girl’s torso
Now you can rent an anime itasha in Japan for the authentic otaku driving experience
Anime Love Live! makes good on April Fools’ promise by actually creating giant panty-clad figure
- Leftover sushi? A popular manga suggests making it into fried rice【SoraKitchen】
- Japanese man receives Airdrop message from tailgating driver
- Trackbacks (0)
Trackbacks
- There are no trackbacks yet.
- Trackback URL
Trending Today
- Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
- Experimenting with making hot sandwiches in the microwave with a device from Japan’s 3COINS
- Osaka man arrested for running little pet shop of horrors with dangerous crocodile
- Video released of Pikachu’s real-world trip to space! [Video]
- Shibuya goes hard on Halloween, announces countermeasures to prevent chaos on the streets
- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- My Neighbor Totoro calendar for next year can be yours right now at Donguri Kyowakoku
- Starbucks Japan serves up new Coffee Espresso Cream Frappuccino for Nighttime Dolce Coffee range
- Tokyo government announces removal of all public phones from city’s Toei subway stations
- Starbucks Japan releases new seasonal chilled cup tea latte with surprising accents in flavour
- Leftover sushi? A popular manga suggests making it into fried rice【SoraKitchen】
- Japanese man receives Airdrop message from tailgating driver
-
Recent Posts
- If anyone needs us, we’ll be in the cardboard Japanese snack house we just built [Photos]
- Starbucks Japan serves up new Coffee Espresso Cream Frappuccino for Nighttime Dolce Coffee range
- Experimenting with making hot sandwiches in the microwave with a device from Japan’s 3COINS
- Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
- Video released of Pikachu’s real-world trip to space! [Video]
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Experimenting with making hot sandwiches in the microwave with a device from Japan’s 3COINS
Osaka man arrested for running little pet shop of horrors with dangerous crocodile
Video released of Pikachu’s real-world trip to space! [Video]
Shibuya goes hard on Halloween, announces countermeasures to prevent chaos on the streets
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
My Neighbor Totoro calendar for next year can be yours right now at Donguri Kyowakoku
Starbucks Japan serves up new Coffee Espresso Cream Frappuccino for Nighttime Dolce Coffee range
Tokyo government announces removal of all public phones from city’s Toei subway stations
Starbucks Japan releases new seasonal chilled cup tea latte with surprising accents in flavour
Weekly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Japan’s first-ever conveyor-belt Sushi Bus announces Tokyo tour start date, reservations now open
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Make-your-own-Totoro plushie workshop event coming to Ghibli Park park this fall
Starbucks Japan says sayonara to the Filone for new sandwiches and a Pumpkin Soupuccino
Casio collaborates with a Kyoto foil master for a luxurious one million yen G-SHOCK
Toys R Us is leaving Japan after 35 years in the country
Foreign tourist numbers drop in Osaka, despite record-setting highs from U.S. and Korea
Osaka man arrested for running little pet shop of horrors with dangerous crocodile
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
-
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Hater lets world know he hates Love Live! by spray-painting over anime manhole covers in Japan
Fun’s over—Japanese city removes anime girl manhole covers after repeated vandalism
Love Live! poster showing anime schoolgirl in see-through skirt divides public opinion in Japan
Overseas otaku make huge donation of masks to real-life Japanese Love Live! town
Love Live! character with controversial skirt to continue as orange spokesperson, petitioner says
Trial ends for Shizuoka man who stole school equipment to recreate Love Live! classroom at home
Love Live! fan visits Mari’s room inside Awashima Hotel, finds anime details exist in real life!
Love Live! fans clash with feminists again over controversial poster, this time advertising tea
Love Live! warns fans once again to refrain from being jerks
AKB48, Love Live! idol supergroups to perform live in Los Angeles this summer
Stay in Love Live! Sunshine!!’s Mari’s glamorous room, relax like an anime schoolgirl idol
What would idol series Love Live! have looked like as a late 1980s anime? Awesome, fan art shows
Otaku dating service says some of its female members specifically refuse to date Love Live! fans
50-year-old Japanese man arrested for selling naked Love Live! anime pillow covers
Love Live otaku takes up two seats on bus for himself, four for his anime plushie crushes
-
-
Categories
Categories Select Category Africa (33) Anime & Manga (193) Art (64) Australia (42) C America (9) C Asia (17) Canada (59) Cats (72) China (845) Culture (180) Cute (187) Entertainment (248) Europe (345) FN24 (1) Food & Drink (314) Games & Tech (167) Global (1,072) India (11) Internet (2,197) Italy (13) Japan (34,429) Korea (375) Lifestyle (76) Mexico (6) Music (12) N Asia (4) New Zealand (11) News (61) North Korea (72) Oceania (10) Russia (56) S America (33) S Asia (66) SE Asia (378) Space (2) Taiwan (203) UK (17) Uncategorized (19) USA (976) W Asia (25)
-
Archives
Archives Select Month October 2026 (41) September 2026 (156) August 2026 (174) July 2026 (197) June 2026 (174) May 2026 (138) April 2026 (142) March 2026 (150) February 2026 (124) January 2026 (138) December 2025 (136) November 2025 (136) October 2025 (151) September 2025 (154) August 2025 (143) July 2025 (158) June 2025 (165) May 2025 (162) April 2025 (181) March 2025 (157) February 2025 (127) January 2025 (139) December 2024 (148) November 2024 (149) October 2024 (153) September 2024 (154) August 2024 (158) July 2024 (156) June 2024 (150) May 2024 (166) April 2024 (150) March 2024 (157) February 2024 (169) January 2024 (159) December 2023 (165) November 2023 (166) October 2023 (166) September 2023 (173) August 2023 (183) July 2023 (171) June 2023 (180) May 2023 (158) April 2023 (152) March 2023 (167) February 2023 (160) January 2023 (171) December 2022 (175) November 2022 (176) October 2022 (179) September 2022 (191) August 2022 (202) July 2022 (193) June 2022 (178) May 2022 (178) April 2022 (181) March 2022 (212) February 2022 (199) January 2022 (224) December 2021 (230) November 2021 (214) October 2021 (215) September 2021 (238) August 2021 (225) July 2021 (207) June 2021 (218) May 2021 (209) April 2021 (206) March 2021 (225) February 2021 (209) January 2021 (224) December 2020 (225) November 2020 (224) October 2020 (231) September 2020 (238) August 2020 (227) July 2020 (220) June 2020 (209) May 2020 (215) April 2020 (238) March 2020 (235) February 2020 (222) January 2020 (233) December 2019 (187) November 2019 (214) October 2019 (237) September 2019 (195) August 2019 (205) July 2019 (183) June 2019 (201) May 2019 (231) April 2019 (192) March 2019 (242) February 2019 (211) January 2019 (238) December 2018 (212) November 2018 (217) October 2018 (214) September 2018 (203) August 2018 (217) July 2018 (218) June 2018 (208) May 2018 (204) April 2018 (193) March 2018 (216) February 2018 (192) January 2018 (223) December 2017 (204) November 2017 (209) October 2017 (218) September 2017 (209) August 2017 (228) July 2017 (222) June 2017 (245) May 2017 (229) April 2017 (197) March 2017 (165) February 2017 (151) January 2017 (180) December 2016 (260) November 2016 (267) October 2016 (302) September 2016 (387) August 2016 (351) July 2016 (379) June 2016 (379) May 2016 (312) April 2016 (347) March 2016 (414) February 2016 (379) January 2016 (359) December 2015 (359) November 2015 (378) October 2015 (435) September 2015 (419) August 2015 (152) July 2015 (218) June 2015 (179) May 2015 (237) April 2015 (223) March 2015 (119) February 2015 (121) January 2015 (394) December 2014 (376) November 2014 (376) October 2014 (414) September 2014 (349) August 2014 (379) July 2014 (316) June 2014 (375) May 2014 (384) April 2014 (354) March 2014 (318) February 2014 (284) January 2014 (270) December 2013 (224) November 2013 (242) October 2013 (244) September 2013 (226) August 2013 (241) July 2013 (214) June 2013 (222) May 2013 (191) April 2013 (173) March 2013 (149) February 2013 (85) January 2013 (106) December 2012 (111) November 2012 (149) October 2012 (151) September 2012 (118) August 2012 (99) July 2012 (56) June 2012 (57) May 2012 (54) April 2012 (62) March 2012 (40) February 2012 (27) January 2012 (24) December 2011 (18) November 2011 (12) October 2011 (1) September 2011 (9) August 2011 (11) March 2011 (1)
-
- About Us | Jobs | Contact | Contribution | Partner with Us
© SoraNews24 —Japan News— / SOCIO CORPORATION
- Advertise |
- About Us |
- Work with us |
- Contact |
- Contribution |
%d
Bomb threats against Love Live! concert lead to arrest of 17-year-old boy in Japan
How would Love Live! look as an early-‘80s post-apocalyptic anime? Awesome, video reboot shows