Tour

2025-09-09

Bringing Joyful Outings Back to Life

Inari Kotsu’s Community Support Tour for Senior Citizens

In October 2025, Inari Kotsu organized a community-based transportation initiative in collaboration with a local day service provider:
a half-day outing support tour for senior citizens.

This was not a “special sightseeing trip” — it was something much more important:
A step toward making everyday outings accessible and joyful again.

■ The desire to go out never fades with age

Even as we grow older, the desire to:

• ・Feel the breeze of the outside air

• ・Enjoy a good meal

• ・Share laughter with someone

…remains unchanged.

Many seniors hesitate to go out due to lack of transportation, no one to accompany them, or concerns about stamina.
That is why we believe it is our mission as a regional transportation provider to support those wishes.

■ A half-day schedule that’s just right

This tour featured lunch at “Men Kurando” by Kamogawa Somen, followed by shopping at “Kasaoka Bay Farm” in Kasaoka City, Okayama.
 

Long trips can be exhausting for some, so we kept it short and enjoyable.

We welcomed 16 senior participants and 6 day service staff, with an average age ranging from their 70s to 80s.
Still, everyone was bright, energetic, and full of smiles.

■ Seamless boarding thanks to prior preparation

We used a standard medium-sized charter bus.
Even though it didn’t have a lift, the staff had rehearsed boarding procedures in advance,
ensuring the process was smooth and safe.
 

Thanks to their thoughtful support, the ride was peaceful and comfortable for all passengers.

■ The joy of “Let’s go again!”

At the restaurant, many participants finished their meals with big smiles,
and even staff were surprised by how much everyone ate!

At the shopping stop, participants picked up souvenirs, snacks, and fresh produce.
By the end of the trip, we heard cheerful comments like:
“Let’s do this again!” and “When’s the next one?”

I myself followed the bus in a private car to observe the atmosphere.
Seeing the joyful faces and hearing the laughter reaffirmed that
this kind of support tour is something we are meant to do.


 

■ Making outings part of daily life, not a rare occasion

Our goal is not to make outings something special —
but rather something as natural as a walk in the neighborhood.

We hope to create a society where:

• ・A spontaneous decision to go out is possible

• ・Lunch with others isn’t a luxury

• ・Seeing a favorite view becomes a part of the week

To make that a reality, Inari Kotsu will continue working hand in hand with the community.

■ Looking ahead: expanding to more facilities

This tour was held with one day service center,
but we are already in discussions with others to expand this initiative.

We see this as a pilot model for what’s possible — and we intend to offer it more widely.

Especially now, as society ages,
We must move from “seniors can’t go out” to “seniors can go out — and should.”

And we, as a transportation company, must be the ones to enable it.

■ In closing

The smiles I saw during this tour will stay with me.

From the nervous excitement while boarding,
To the calm joy during lunch,
To the warm “Let’s do this again” at the end…

It reminded me why I chose this path.
We will continue to be a transportation company that connects not just places, but people and their happiness.