[WANDERIDE Case Study] Trial of WANDERIDE Launches at Wakayama City's Hot Spring Resort 'Wakanoura Onsen Manpa MANPA RESORT' – Ride Through a Japan Heritage Site with Stunning Views

glafit Inc. (read: glafit, headquartered in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, CEO: Teizo Narumi), which provides one-stop development, manufacturing, and sales of electric personal mobility devices, has launched a trial introduction of its micro-sharing service 'WANDERIDE' at the hot spring resort 'Wakanoura Onsen Manpa MANPA RESORT' in Wakayama City. This service utilizes specified small motorized bicycles (hereafter, specified small motorized bicycles).

Wakanoura, located in the southwestern part of Wakayama City, is one of Japan's finest scenic spots. The tidal flats that change expression with the ebb and flow of the tide and the surrounding mountains create a breathtaking landscape designated as a Japan Heritage site. It is also known as a sacred place for waka poetry, where much culture and history have been cultivated. This trial is expected to enhance tourist mobility by allowing comfortable travel through narrow roads and areas with many ups and downs using specified small motorized bicycles.

Background of Introduction | Transforming Topographical Challenges into Activities

The Wakanoura area, with its charm of sea and slopes, is a Japan Heritage scenic spot celebrated in the Manyoshu poetry collection. From the exotic fishing port scenery of Saikazaki, known as 'Japan's Amalfi', to the stunning Wakanoura Bay, historic Kishu Toshogu Shrine and Wakanoura Tenmangu Shrine, hot springs, and fresh seafood, the area boasts diverse attractions. Combined with its accessibility, about 80 minutes by car from Osaka city center, it is known as a representative tourist area in Wakayama. However, narrow roads and many steep slopes, coupled with limited secondary transportation within the area, posed challenges for sightseeing tours.

The electric cycle NFR-01 Pro⁺ 4G LTE MODEL (hereafter, NFR-01 Pro⁺) used in WANDERIDE accelerates up to 20 km/h with just throttle operation. It combines excellent maneuverability to easily navigate narrow roads where cars struggle, with the power to effortlessly climb 30% gradients, turning topographical challenges into enjoyable activities. This trial introduction at Manpa, a leading resort in the area, is expected to promote surrounding tourism.

Introduction Overview

All rooms offer views of the Wakanoura Sea.

Introduction Location: Wakanoura Onsen Manpa MANPA RESORT

Address: 2-10 Shinwakanoura, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture

Usage Fee: 2,400 yen for 90 minutes, 3,200 yen for 120 minutes, 4,800 yen for 180 minutes

Rental Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Number of Units Available: 2

Usage Conditions: 16 years or older, no driver's license required

Vehicle Used: Electric Cycle NFR-01 Pro⁺ (Specified Small Motorized Bicycle)

Comments on the Trial

Mr. Munenori Sakaguchi, Representative Director of MANPA Co., Ltd. / Kansho Co., Ltd.

'Until now, our guests were mainly repeat customers who stayed within the hotel. Through this trial, we hope to create new needs by proposing sightseeing tours, and to increase the area's recognition and ability to attract visitors as a tourist destination. We hope guests will take advantage of the convenience of specified small motorized bicycles, which require no license for those 16 and over, and enjoy a self-guided tour around Wakanoura at their own pace, using Manpa as a base.'

Teizo Narumi, CEO of glafit Inc.

'I am very honored to start this trial at Manpa, which is deeply rooted in Wakayama's proud scenic area. We hope that by enjoying deeper surrounding sightseeing with WANDERIDE, visitors will experience the profound charm of the Wakanoura area. We will continue to explore possibilities for collaboration with the region, aiming to improve mobility and revitalize the area, while contributing to enhancing the tourism experience.'

'WANDERMAP' Upgrades the Self-Guided Tour

When renting a vehicle, a 'WANDERMAP First Edition' featuring recommended spots in the Wakanoura area is distributed. By test-riding the 'NFR-01 Pro⁺' around town and conducting research, the map includes hidden spots not found in typical guidebooks, local restaurants, and scenic viewpoints. It proposes routes that maximize the benefits of power and maneuverability.

By combining mobility with a map, the journey to the destination is transformed into an unforgettable travel memory.

Top left: The fishing village of Saikazaki, called 'Japan's Amalfi' because its houses densely clustered on the mountain slope resemble Italy's Amalfi Coast. Bottom left: At Saikazaki Fishing Port, freshly caught fish are sold directly, popular enough to attract visitors from outside the prefecture. Center bottom: Enjoy lunch with a sea view at a restaurant on the hill. Right: Saikazaki Lighthouse, offering views of Awaji Island and Shikoku, is also famous as an excellent sunset spot.

The first edition of the MAP introduces the Saikazaki route west from the rental base 'Wakanoura Onsen Manpa MANPA RESORT'. In the future, routes for the eastern area, including power spots like Kishu Toshogu Shrine and Wakanoura Tenmangu Shrine, and a Showa retro shopping street where you can enjoy eating while strolling, are also planned.

By turning movement itself into an activity, WANDERIDE encourages circulation throughout the area and creates opportunities for tourists to visit multiple spots.

About WANDERIDE

~ Transforming Mobility into Entertainment. Transforming Towns into Theme Parks. ~

WANDERIDE is a micro-sharing service developed by glafit that utilizes specified small motorized bicycles. By combining a dedicated app with IoT-compatible vehicles, it aims to implement new mobility experiences tailored to regional characteristics. It contributes to improving mobility and regional experience value as a system that not only complements secondary transportation in tourist areas and regional hubs but also makes movement itself enjoyable.

*WANDERIDE is a registered trademark of glafit.

Website: https://wanderide.travel/

References:

Introduction of micro-sharing service 'WANDERIDE®' using glafit's specified small motorized bicycles in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, aiming for World Heritage registration.

[WANDERIDE® Case Study] Starting from a collaboration agreement with Shirahama Town, WANDERIDE® introduction is progressing in the town center. A new activity to enjoy Shirahama at your own pace without a car.

[WANDERIDE Case Study] Circulation demonstration experiment of WANDERIDE begins in the Kanasanji Onsen area! From 'point' to 'area' tourism with electric personal mobility.

About the Electric Cycle 'NFR-01 Pro⁺' Used

The 'NFR-01 Pro⁺' used in WANDERIDE® is a popular model from glafit that won the 2024 Good Design Award and achieved over 100 million yen on the crowdfunding service Makuake, the first project for a specified small motorized bicycle to do so. As a specified small motorized bicycle, it can be used without a driver's license by those 16 and over, and features powerful climbing performance, quietness, and IoT connectivity using 4G LTE communication. The vehicle body can also be wrapped with original design stickers, supporting new mobility experiences in tourist areas.

▶ Product Details: https://glafit.com/products/nfr/nfr-01-pro/

*'Electric Cycle' is a term coined by glafit.