Charichari Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City; Representative Director and President: Kentaro Iemoto; hereinafter "Charichari"), which operates the share cycle service "Charichari," announced that it has expanded its usable area to the entire Koto Ward, effective from noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the aim of improving connectivity in the eastern Tokyo area and complementing north-south mobility demand.

In conjunction with this expansion, electric-assist bicycles featuring "UNITED BLUE," the team color of the "Tokyo United Basketball Club (TUBC)" which has Koto Ward/Tokyo Bay Area as its home area, will be deployed exclusively in the Tokyo area.

As a public means of transportation, Charichari has been used over 44 million times since its service launch in Fukuoka in February 2018.

Since its launch in the Tokyo area in September 2020, Charichari has been working in collaboration with private sectors and local governments in Taito Ward, Sumida Ward, and their surrounding areas to install ports, improve urban convenience, and solve regional issues including transportation problems. Due to strong usage results and demand, the usable area will be expanded to Koto Ward from noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. This will significantly expand the service area to 66.5 square kilometers, approximately 2.4 times the conventional area.

Area Expansion Across Koto Ward Aims to Solve Transportation Issues and Complement North-South Mobility

Koto Ward, where the service area is now expanding, has a railway network running east-west from the bay area to the inland, but complementing "north-south mobility" and "last-mile connections between stations" has been a long-standing public transportation challenge. This expansion newly includes areas such as the "railway-deficient zones around Minamisuna and Shinsuna" where access to subway stations is needed, the "Toyosu and Shin-Toyosu station areas" which are hubs for living and business, and the "Ariake area" where large-scale event facilities are concentrated, within the share cycle's usable range.

This will facilitate north-south movement within Koto Ward, enhancing daily transportation convenience and striving to solve transportation issues from multiple perspectives, such as alleviating congestion during events.

TUBC Collaboration Bicycles and Community Partnership

As an initiative symbolizing this area expansion, electric-assist bicycles based on "UNITED BLUE," the team color of the "Tokyo United Basketball Club (hereinafter "TUBC")," will be put into service exclusively in the Tokyo area. TUBC is a professional basketball club with Ariake Arena as its home arena and Koto Ward, primarily the Tokyo Bay Area (Tokyo Bayfront, Sumida River, eastern Tokyo area), as its hometown.

We have imbued these bicycles with the wish that "by collaborating with TUBC, which operates rooted in the community, residents of Koto Ward will use them with familiarity." Let's ride the collaboration Charichari and support TUBC!

TUBC Official Website: https://tubc.tokyo

Transition to Full-Scale Implementation of "Taito Ward Town Cycle Project"

In the Tokyo area, where services began in September 2020, Charichari has participated in a demonstration experiment for the "Taito Ward Town Cycle Project" since July 2023, aiming to improve convenience for ward residents and visitors and reduce abandoned bicycles. As certain results were recognized in solving public issues such as complementing public transportation functions, measures against abandoned bicycles, and regional revitalization through the installation of ports in public facilities, the project will transition to "full-scale implementation" from April 1, 2026, and a new agreement for continuous business implementation has been concluded.

We will extend this co-creation model with local communities to the wider Koto Ward area, accelerating the construction of sustainable urban transportation infrastructure.

Opened Ports in Expanded Area (as of April 1, 2026)

MA Building (Kiba) (Kiba 2-15-12, Koto-ku)

Fuji Golf Center (Kiba 6-2-6, Koto-ku)

・ MA Building (Kiba) (Kiba 2-15-12, Koto-ku)

・ Fuji Golf Center (Kiba 6-2-6, Koto-ku)

・ Hanaoka Sharyo Co., Ltd. (Shirakawa 2-17-10, Koto-ku)

About Charichari

"Charichari" is a share cycle service that allows users to easily unlock dedicated red bicycles with a smartphone app. Basic bikes are available for 6.5 yen per minute, and electric-assist bikes for 20.5 yen per minute, aiming to provide a convenient experience of being able to use a bike anytime, anywhere, whenever you want. The service started in Fukuoka in February 2018 and has grown to be used over 44 million times.

It is currently deployed in 9 areas: Fukuoka area (Fukuoka City, Nakagawa Town, Shime Town, Kasuya Town), Nagoya City, Tokyo, Kumamoto (Kumamoto City, Kikuyo Town), Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kuwana City in Mie Prefecture, Saga City in Saga Prefecture, Amakusa City in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, and Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture.

With its minute-by-minute pricing and easy-to-use app, it is primarily used for everyday "just a short trip" movements in each area.

Charichari Original Bicycle Helmet

A highly safe helmet, easily storable in bags or backpacks for portability, and certified with the SG standard set by the Product Safety Association, is now available for sale on the official online store, to be delivered to all Charichari and bicycle users.

The helmet features a calm color that suits both business suits for commuting and casual wear, subtly adorned with Charichari's cute logo mark. It comes with a purchase bonus of Charichari ride tickets.

Sales of helmets will be used as funds for Charichari's safety awareness and education activities, working towards the realization of a safe and secure community.

Online Store: https://charichari-online.stores.jp/

About Charichari Inc.

Representative: Kentaro Iemoto, Representative Director and President

Head Office: 1-1-1 Nagahama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City

Charichari Web and SNS Information

【Charichari】

https://charichari.bike

【Official Accounts】

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/charichari_bike

Instagram: https://instagram.com/charichari_bike

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charichari_official

Charichari is Recruiting Port Owners

Would you like to utilize your unused space, such as the eaves of your store or office, or part of your parking lot, as a Charichari port? Charichari ports can be installed in small spaces for 5 or more bicycles. Let's utilize unused spaces as new value.

【Port Owner Recruitment Details】

https://charichari.bike/portowner

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News