Take a substitute bus to Sakaida Station and visit Basho’s Hojin no Ie for free

Eligible bus arrival times and how to get a ticket

Bus replacement services have been operating between Shinjo and Naruko-Onsen on the Rikuu East Line since service was suspended following torrential rain in July 2024. This campaign by Mogami Town is aimed at substitute bus passengers and encourages them to get off at Sakaida Station and explore the history of Hojin no Ie, which Basho visited.

The campaign runs from July 1 to November 30, 2026. It is for passengers who travel on a JR substitute bus on the Rikuu East Line during this period and get off at Sakaida Station. The benefit is free admission to Hojin no Ie, but to use it, you must collect a free ticket onboard and hand it to the attendant at the site.

Tickets are available on four bus services. Traveling from Naruko-Onsen toward Shinjo, the down services arrive at Sakaida Station at 9:25 on service 727 and 13:35 on service 731. Traveling from Shinjo toward Naruko-Onsen, the up services arrive at 11:02 on service 724 and 14:55 on service 728. Compare the direction of travel and arrival times to help choose a service for your visit.

The listed services and times are current as of July 2026. They may change if the timetable is revised, so check the latest information for your service before setting out.

After boarding, take one free ticket per person from near the driver’s seat. When you arrive at Hojin no Ie, hand your ticket to the attendant before your visit. Getting off at Sakaida Station does not automatically make admission free; you must collect the ticket during the bus journey and submit it at the site.

Once you have chosen a day to travel on an eligible service, check the timetable as well as where to collect and submit your ticket. This will help you plan your bus journey and visit to Hojin no Ie.