[Sado Kisen] Launch of 24-Hour Car Sharing Service
Sado Kisen will launch a 24-hour, unmanned car sharing service starting April 3, 2026. This service aims to solve transportation issues during early morning and late night ferry arrivals.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 17:10
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 03:35 (418h 25m after Collected)
Sado Kisen Co., Ltd. (Location: Sado City, Niigata Prefecture; Representative Director: Hideo Owatari; hereinafter "Sado Kisen") will launch a new car sharing service for tourists (hereinafter "this service") starting April 3, 2026. This service will complement the conventional rental car business and provide transportation methods not restricted by business hours, thereby improving convenience for visitors to Sado. In addition, a new reservation site has been released where customers can choose between rental cars and car sharing.
■ Background and Purpose
With the diversification of sightseeing styles of visitors to Sado, there is a growing need for new transportation options, such as extending the hours for renting and returning cars, and offering more flexible usage times compared to traditional rental cars. Particularly, car ferries and jetfoils sometimes arrive or depart early in the morning or late at night. Traditional rental cars have limited business hours, causing issues like "cannot move immediately after arrival" and "restrictions on return times." To solve this issue, Sado Kisen is introducing a 24-hour unmanned car sharing service.
■ Features of this Service
1. Available 24 hours a day (Prior user registration is required)
Even if your ship arrives early in the morning or late at night, you can start using it anytime, 24 hours a day, in 3-hour increments. Returns are also possible 24 hours a day. It greatly improves the freedom of movement on the island for sightseeing, business, etc.
2. Web-completed, completely unmanned, and smooth usage
Everything from reservation to unlocking and returning is completed on a smartphone. No counter procedures are necessary, and it can be used without waiting time.
3. Reasonable pricing compared to rental cars
With an easy-to-understand pricing structure that includes insurance and fuel costs, it achieves a reasonable price range for 1 day to multiple days.
■ About the New Reservation Site
On the new reservation site, you can choose "Rental Car" or "Car Sharing" on a single screen according to your needs and preferences. With an intuitive UI and smooth reservation procedures, it becomes possible to plan your travel stress-free even before arriving at Sado.
■ Development of a New Island Transportation Brand
In conjunction with the start of this service, the Sado Kisen Group has formulated a new symbol and logo that cross over chartered buses, rental cars, and car sharing. This initiative is not just an addition of services, but aims at "building a brand that provides an integrated mobility experience in Sado."
■ Background and Purpose
With the diversification of sightseeing styles of visitors to Sado, there is a growing need for new transportation options, such as extending the hours for renting and returning cars, and offering more flexible usage times compared to traditional rental cars. Particularly, car ferries and jetfoils sometimes arrive or depart early in the morning or late at night. Traditional rental cars have limited business hours, causing issues like "cannot move immediately after arrival" and "restrictions on return times." To solve this issue, Sado Kisen is introducing a 24-hour unmanned car sharing service.
■ Features of this Service
1. Available 24 hours a day (Prior user registration is required)
Even if your ship arrives early in the morning or late at night, you can start using it anytime, 24 hours a day, in 3-hour increments. Returns are also possible 24 hours a day. It greatly improves the freedom of movement on the island for sightseeing, business, etc.
2. Web-completed, completely unmanned, and smooth usage
Everything from reservation to unlocking and returning is completed on a smartphone. No counter procedures are necessary, and it can be used without waiting time.
3. Reasonable pricing compared to rental cars
With an easy-to-understand pricing structure that includes insurance and fuel costs, it achieves a reasonable price range for 1 day to multiple days.
■ About the New Reservation Site
On the new reservation site, you can choose "Rental Car" or "Car Sharing" on a single screen according to your needs and preferences. With an intuitive UI and smooth reservation procedures, it becomes possible to plan your travel stress-free even before arriving at Sado.
■ Development of a New Island Transportation Brand
In conjunction with the start of this service, the Sado Kisen Group has formulated a new symbol and logo that cross over chartered buses, rental cars, and car sharing. This initiative is not just an addition of services, but aims at "building a brand that provides an integrated mobility experience in Sado."