No, there’s no penalty. The Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane simply asks for your cooperation in giving way to buses whenever reasonably possible.
Yes, you can. If a bus approaches from behind, we kindly ask for your cooperation in giving way whenever reasonably possible.
From 7:30 – 9:00 AM inbound (heading toward Kumoji from Isa) and 5:30 – 7:00 PM outbound (heading toward Isa from Kumoji), the existing Bus Lane rules apply. Outside those hours, we kindly ask for your cooperation with the Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane.
Our aim is to establish a new driving culture among the public through the Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane and, at the same time, identify congestion and safety issues that will smoothly guide future bus lane expansion. That’s why, rather than a regulated lane, we’re starting with the cooperative Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane, which kindly asks for everyone’s cooperation.
Our aim is to establish a new driving culture among the public through the Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane and, at the same time, identify congestion and safety issues that will smoothly guide future bus lane expansion. That’s why, rather than a regulated lane, we’re starting with the cooperative Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane, which kindly asks for everyone’s cooperation.
No, drive as you normally would, and give way whenever you reasonably can.
No, we’re not asking drivers in Lane 2 to give way. The Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane applies only to Lane 1, the curbside lane.
We’re simply asking for your cooperation when it’s reasonably possible. If conditions make it difficult, there’s no need to force it—your safety always comes first.
No. Regardless of this demonstration project, stopping or parking anywhere prohibited under the Road Traffic Act remains illegal.
It’s not required, but we’d appreciate it if you could still give way when reasonably possible, even outside the designated section.
It’s not required, but we’d appreciate it if you could still give way when reasonably possible, even outside the designated section.
You don’t need to give way in situations like single-lane sections.
Yes. The Road Transport Act defines a “bus” as “a vehicle for passenger use with a seating capacity of 11 or more,” so tour buses and school buses are included.
No. The Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane applies to buses only.
The applicable sections are as follows. Please also check the map on the dedicated section of our website, which shows the intersections marking the start and end points of each Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane section.
- Naha City (Kumoji) – Ginowan City (Isa)
- Ginowan City (Isa) – Okinawa City (Goya)
- Ginowan City (Isa) – Chatan Town (Kuwae)
* The existing Bus Lane will be in operation under the usual rules.
* Excludes sections with only a single lane in each direction.
For the current Japanese fiscal year, the demonstration project is scheduled to run from Monday, November 2, 2026 through Wednesday, March 31, 2027. The project is expected to continue beyond that as well.
No. Buses operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule from December 31 to January 3, so the Yuzuri-ai Bus Lane is not in effect during that period.
Changes are possible depending on road conditions. Any changes will be announced at that time.
We plan to consider that based on the road conditions and results from this demonstration project.
Okinawa Prefecture is working to reduce excessive reliance on private cars and make transportation more efficient by restructuring and creating a tiered public transportation network. In particular, the core transit routes connecting major hubs such as Naha, Ginowan, and Okinawa City play a vital role as the backbone of transportation on the main island. They consolidate travel demand into a public transit system built for high speed, high capacity, and high frequency.
Starting in November of fiscal year 2026, we are planning a cooperative Bus Lane demonstration project across two key bus corridor sections to strengthen these core routes: from Kumoji in Naha City to Goya, Okinawa City, and from Isa in Ginowan City to Kuwae in Chatan Town.
With an eye toward permanent implementation, we believe that carrying this out over longer stretches and extended periods will help promote public transit use and optimize bus transport efficiency, both of which are pressing challenges that we are facing today.
No, not at this time, but we’re providing information through banners across pedestrian bridges and other such ways, and we’re also looking into road surface markings for the future.
Yes. In cooperation with the tourism industry, we provide easy-to-understand information in multiple languages (English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese). This website is also available in multiple languages.
Please contact the Transportation Strategy Promotion Division, Department of Planning, Okinawa Prefectural Government.
Phone: 098-894-2616（9:00-17:00, Weekdays)
Email: aa015407@pref.okinawa.lg.jp