Kobe City has announced a new collaboration with Nissan Motor Corporation to begin autonomous driving trials in the historic Nada Gogo sake district, one of Japan’s most celebrated brewing areas.
The project was approved as a national demonstration program in July 2025 and will now move into full-scale field testing.
This initiative aims to support both residents and tourists by improving mobility options, addressing future driver shortages, and exploring how autonomous technology can enhance regional transportation.
Autonomous Driving Trials in the Nada Gogo Area
Known as one of Japan’s premier sake-producing districts, Nada Gogo attracts visitors from across Japan and abroad.
The entire area has been selected as a test field, where a new mobility experience using autonomous vehicles will be introduced on an experimental basis.
Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa speaking during the press conference (left).
To announce the project, a press conference was held at the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, featuring Kobe Mayor Kizo Hisamoto, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa, Nissan Research Institute Director Mitsuhiro Doi, and Hakutsuru Brewery President Kenji Kano.
Their joint appearance highlighted the significance of launching advanced mobility experiments in a district that blends tradition, tourism, and daily life.
Nissan LEAF to Serve as the Autonomous Vehicle
From left: Kobe Mayor Kizo Hisamoto, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa, and Hakutsuru President Kenji Kano.
The vehicle used for the demonstration is Nissan’s all-electric Nissan LEAF, specially equipped for autonomous operation.
It will operate at Level 2, meaning a safety driver will be seated behind the wheel while autonomous functions handle key aspects of driving.
Through this trial, Kobe City and Nissan aim to evaluate:
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Road and traffic conditions in the Nada Gogo district
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Suitability for tourism-related mobility
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User experience for both residents and visitors
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Practical challenges toward long-term implementation
The ultimate goal is to progress step-by-step and reach commercial autonomous mobility services by fiscal year 2030.
Toward a Future Where Tradition and Technology Meet
The Nissan LEAF used for the autonomous driving tests.
Nada Gogo is widely known for its historic breweries, cobblestone paths, and cultural charm.
Introducing autonomous driving here has the potential to:
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Strengthen access between breweries
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Support visitors who move between multiple locations
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Reduce traffic congestion in narrow streets
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Enhance the entire area’s tourism ecosystem
If successful, the model may later expand to suburban residential areas of Kobe.
A First Step Toward Kobe’s Next Generation of Mobility
Numerous cameras are installed for autonomous driving.
By beginning autonomous driving trials in a place that merges history and modern life, Kobe City and Nissan are opening the door to a future where innovative mobility can coexist with the city’s cultural identity.
The driver’s seat of the Nissan LEAF.
With resident test rides scheduled for January 2026, the Nada Gogo project marks the first major step toward creating a smarter, safer, and more accessible transportation environment for the years ahead.
