Normally, children's fares (for ages 6-12) are half the adult fare on route buses and community buses. However, in Higashi-Mikawa, during the summer vacation period, you can ride for an unprecedented 50 yen!
This year, we are holding the "Higashi-Mikawa Summer Vacation Photo Rally" to coincide with this period, which you can participate in by utilizing the "Summer Vacation 50-Yen Bus for Elementary School Students."
By visiting photo spots located throughout Higashi-Mikawa and applying, you'll have a chance to win luxurious prizes!
Why not challenge yourself to the rally using public transportation to create summer vacation memories?
Children's Bus Fares are a Great Deal During Summer Vacation! "Summer Vacation 50-Yen Bus for Elementary School Students"
During the summer vacation period, children can ride route buses and community buses for 50 yen in the 8 municipalities of Higashi-Mikawa.
Furthermore, the community buses "Yamabiko-go," "Kakin Sato Bus," and "Kawagita Bus" that run within Toyohashi City will offer free rides for children.
This is a perfect opportunity to ride the bus with children at a great price.
*The 8 municipalities of Higashi-Mikawa include: Toyohashi City, Toyokawa City, Gamagori City, Shinshiro City, Tahara Town, Shitara Town, Toei Town, Toyone Village.
Also, payment for the "Summer Vacation 50-Yen Bus for Elementary School Students" is cash only. Please be aware that using a child's IC card for payment will result in the normal fare.
<Overview of the "Summer Vacation 50-Yen Bus for Elementary School Students">
○ Event Period: July 18, 2026 (Sat) - August 31, 2026 (Mon)
○ Eligible Services: [Route Buses] Toyotetsu Bus: All lines except highway buses
Meitetsu Bus: All lines within Gamagori City
[Community Buses] Community buses in the 8 municipalities of Higashi-Mikawa
First Ever! Higashi-Mikawa Summer Vacation Photo Rally
Visit "photo spots" accessible by public transportation such as trains and buses, collect points by taking photos that match the examples in the brochure, and apply by sending your photos through the application form.
There are a total of 24 photo spots!
Photo spots are set up in each municipality, with three in each. During the event period, sign flyers will be posted as markers. Please take photos that include the flyer, similar to the examples below.
Collect Points at Photo Spots! Bonus Point Opportunities Available
Each photo spot has points that can be earned by clearing certain conditions. For photo spots within Toyohashi City, they are Yoshida Castle (1 point), Mukaiyama Ryokuchi Park (2 points), and Roadside Station Toyohashi (3 points). Let's visit as many photo spots as possible and collect many points.
In addition to visiting photo spots, there are two types of bonus point opportunities.
[Bonus Point Opportunity I: Up to 9 points]
By taking a train or bus to a photo spot and sending a photo of the nearest station or bus stop to that photo spot, you will receive 3 bonus points per location. You can send photos from up to 3 locations, earning a maximum of 9 points.
[Bonus Point Opportunity II: Up to 8 points]
Among the three photo spots in each municipality, a quiz is set up at one of them. You will earn 1 point for each correct answer. If you answer all quizzes correctly, you can earn up to 8 points.
By visiting all photo spots and earning all bonus points, it is possible to obtain a maximum of 65 points.
Receive Higashi-Mikawa's Specialty Products and Facility Vouchers!
Top point earners will receive specialty product sets and facility vouchers that showcase the charm of each municipality. For the "Toyohashi City Set," 7 winners will receive "500 yen shopping voucher for Roadside Station Toyohashi," "Uzura-imo Chips," and "Uzura-imo Magnet." Please check the website for product details (https://www.city.toyohashi.lg.jp/item/124423.htm).
When applying, please select up to your third choice from the 8 types of desired products. Applicants with higher point totals will be prioritized for their preferred items.
Applications are possible with just 1 point, but each person can only apply once, so it is recommended to collect as many points as possible by September 11th.
High Difficulty! Complete Prize Available on a First-Come, First-Served Basis
A special Higashi-Mikawa original merchandise will be presented to the first people who visit all photo spots, earn all bonus points, and collect 65 points. (While supplies last)
Use Higashi-Mikawa MaaS "Ikomai" for Route Search!
By touching a photo spot on the digital map, you can search for routes from your current location to the destination. Please utilize this for your public transportation travel in Higashi-Mikawa.
Even More Savings with the Honokuni Children's Passport
Some of the facilities that are photo spots are also facilities where the Honokuni Children's Passport can be used. The Honokuni Children's Passport is a card distributed to elementary and junior high school students residing or attending school in the Higashi-Mikawa region. By presenting it at the counter of eligible public facilities, admission fees etc. are free. You can also receive various services by presenting it at cooperating businesses. At the photo spots in Toyohashi City, you can receive a 100 yen discount at a popcorn specialty store within "Roadside Station Toyohashi."
We encourage you to not only visit the photo spots but also to utilize the facilities and enjoy them.
For details on the Honokuni Children's Passport and the services available at each facility, please visit the website of the Higashi-Mikawa Wide-Area Association. (https://www.east-mikawa.jp/1109.htm)
<Overview of the "Higashi-Mikawa Summer Vacation Photo Rally">
○ Event Period: July 18, 2026 (Sat) - September 11, 2026 (Fri)
○ How to Apply: Apply by sending photos through the application form (https://www.digi-stamp.net/natsuyasumi-photo2026)
○ Reference HP: Toyohashi City Urban Transport Division "With the Summer Vacation 50-Yen Bus! Higashi-Mikawa Summer Vacation Photo Rally" (https://www.city.toyohashi.lg.jp/item/124423.htm)
○ Brochures are distributed at all elementary schools in the 8 municipalities of Higashi-Mikawa, as well as at public facilities such as stations, city/town halls, and community centers.
Message from the Planner: We want them to learn about how to ride and usage etiquette too.
We hope that by having children use buses during the summer vacation, they will come to like buses and become curious. We would be happy if they could help revitalize public transportation.
While the 50-yen bus can be used by children on their own, we hope they will ride with their parents if possible and learn about how to ride and usage etiquette.
We want them to use the 50-yen bus during summer vacation to go to various destinations, aim for high scores in the photo rally, and apply.
Event to Enjoy the "Toyohashi Railway Local Line," the Only Streetcar in the Tokai Region, with Hometown Tax Donations
The "Toyohashi Railway Local Line" is an important public transportation for the residents of Toyohashi. Known affectionately as "Shiden" (streetcar), it plays a crucial role as a means of transport for citizens commuting and attending school.
On August 6, 2026 (Thu), a special event for participants, "Toyohashi Railway Summer Vacation Local Line Children's Train Operation Experience 2026," will be held, allowing participants to experience the charm of the streetcar firsthand. This event is packed with valuable experiences such as operating the train, using the car wash machine, manual washing, and pit tours! You can even ride on tracks that regular operating trains do not use.
Toyohashi City is recruiting elementary school students to participate in this event as a return gift for hometown tax donations.
<Overview of the "Toyohashi Railway Summer Vacation Local Line Children's Train Operation Experience 2026">
Date and Time: August 6, 2026 (Thu) Meet at 9:00 AM at the "Ekimae" stop of the local line, disband around 12:45 PM at the Akaiwa-guchi depot.
Target Audience: 3rd to 6th graders (parental accompaniment required)
Donation Amount: 1 group (2 people) can participate for a donation of 22,000 yen.
Number of Participants: 7 groups (14 people)
Application Period: Until 10:00 AM on July 15, 2026
Hometown Tax Donation Reception Sites
Site Name
URL
Furusato Choice
https://www.furusato-tax.jp/product/detail/23201/4660524
Rakuten Furusato Nouzei
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f232017-toyohashi/t21-900035/
au Pay Furusato Nouzei
https://furusato.wowma.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=314769&product_div=bel
Saison no Furusato Nouzei
https://furusato.saisoncard.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=913276
Furusato Lab
https://furusato.asahi.co.jp/goods/detail/c71f077fda113d077d79e471f8cd2360?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxeeHpbCflQMVeEIsBR0xZRbeEAAYASAAEgICZfD_BwE
<Inquiries>
・Regarding "Summer Vacation 50-Yen Bus for Elementary School Students" and "Higashi-Mikawa Summer Vacation Photo Rally"
Secretariat of the Higashi-Mikawa Regional Public Transportation Revitalization Council (Toyohashi City Hall, Urban Planning Department, Urban Transport Division)
Address: 1 Imabashi-cho, Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture (9th Floor, East Building, Toyohashi City Hall)
Phone Number: 0532-51-2453
・Regarding Hometown Tax Donations for "Toyohashi Railway Summer Vacation Local Line Children's Train Operation Experience 2026"
Toyohashi City Hall, Urban Planning Department, Urban Transport Division
Address: 1 Imabashi-cho, Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture (9th Floor, East Building, Toyohashi City Hall)
Phone Number: 0532-51-2463
・Regarding the "Toyohashi Railway Summer Vacation Local Line Children's Train Operation Experience 2026" Event
Toyohashi Railway Co., Ltd. Railway Department
Address: 5F, Toyotetsu Terminal Building, 1-46-1 Ekimae-odori, Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture
Phone Number: 0532-53-2136
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Event