[Tokyo Area] Bike-sharing service 'Charichari' expands its available area to the entire Koto Ward
Charichari Inc. has expanded its bike-sharing service area to cover all of Koto Ward, Tokyo, starting April 1, 2026. This expansion aims to solve transportation challenges such as north-south mobility and last-mile connectivity. A special collaboration with the local professional basketball team 'TUBC' features blue-themed electric assist bikes.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 20:27 (483h 39m after Collected)
Charichari Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka; President: Kentaro Iemoto), operator of the bike-sharing service 'Charichari,' has announced that starting at noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, it will expand its service area to cover the entirety of Koto Ward. This move aims to improve mobility in the eastern Tokyo area and supplement transportation needs between the north and south.
In conjunction with this expansion, Charichari will introduce electric assist bicycles in 'UNITED BLUE,' the team color of the 'Tokyo United Basketball Club (TUBC)'—a basketball team that calls Koto Ward and the Tokyo Bay Area its home. These bikes will be deployed exclusively in the Tokyo area.
Charichari, serving as a public transportation supplement, has seen over 44 million cumulative uses since its initial launch in Fukuoka in February 2018. Since beginning operations in Tokyo in September 2020, focusing on Taito and Sumida wards, the service has worked with both private and public sectors to install ports and solve regional transportation issues. Following strong usage results and popular demand, the expansion into Koto Ward increases the service area by approximately 2.4 times to a total of 66.5 square kilometers.
### Aiming to solve transportation issues and supplement north-south mobility
Koto Ward, the focus of this expansion, has railway networks running east-to-west from the waterfront to inland areas. However, 'north-south mobility' and 'last-mile connectivity' between stations have been long-standing challenges. This expansion includes 'railway deserts' around Minamisuna and Shinsuna, business and lifestyle hubs like Toyosu and Shin-Toyosu stations, and the Ariake area, which hosts many large-scale event facilities.
By smoothing north-south transit within Koto Ward, Charichari aims to enhance daily convenience and alleviate congestion during major events from multiple perspectives.
### TUBC Collaboration and Community Engagement
To symbolize this expansion, electric assist bikes featuring the 'UNITED BLUE' color of the Tokyo United Basketball Club (TUBC) will begin service in Tokyo. TUBC is a professional basketball club based in Ariake Arena, serving the Tokyo Bay Area (waterfront, Sumida River, and eastern Tokyo districts).
"By collaborating with TUBC, which is deeply rooted in the community, we hope the residents of Koto Ward will feel a sense of familiarity when using our service," the company stated regarding the choice of the collaboration design. We invite everyone to experience the collaboration bikes.
In conjunction with this expansion, Charichari will introduce electric assist bicycles in 'UNITED BLUE,' the team color of the 'Tokyo United Basketball Club (TUBC)'—a basketball team that calls Koto Ward and the Tokyo Bay Area its home. These bikes will be deployed exclusively in the Tokyo area.
Charichari, serving as a public transportation supplement, has seen over 44 million cumulative uses since its initial launch in Fukuoka in February 2018. Since beginning operations in Tokyo in September 2020, focusing on Taito and Sumida wards, the service has worked with both private and public sectors to install ports and solve regional transportation issues. Following strong usage results and popular demand, the expansion into Koto Ward increases the service area by approximately 2.4 times to a total of 66.5 square kilometers.
### Aiming to solve transportation issues and supplement north-south mobility
Koto Ward, the focus of this expansion, has railway networks running east-to-west from the waterfront to inland areas. However, 'north-south mobility' and 'last-mile connectivity' between stations have been long-standing challenges. This expansion includes 'railway deserts' around Minamisuna and Shinsuna, business and lifestyle hubs like Toyosu and Shin-Toyosu stations, and the Ariake area, which hosts many large-scale event facilities.
By smoothing north-south transit within Koto Ward, Charichari aims to enhance daily convenience and alleviate congestion during major events from multiple perspectives.
### TUBC Collaboration and Community Engagement
To symbolize this expansion, electric assist bikes featuring the 'UNITED BLUE' color of the Tokyo United Basketball Club (TUBC) will begin service in Tokyo. TUBC is a professional basketball club based in Ariake Arena, serving the Tokyo Bay Area (waterfront, Sumida River, and eastern Tokyo districts).
"By collaborating with TUBC, which is deeply rooted in the community, we hope the residents of Koto Ward will feel a sense of familiarity when using our service," the company stated regarding the choice of the collaboration design. We invite everyone to experience the collaboration bikes.