BRT Hikoboshi Line Schedule Changes: 2026 Hita Festival Detour
BRT Hikoboshi Line Schedule Changes for the Hita River Opening Festival 2026
JR Kyushu has announced temporary changes to the BRT Hikoboshi Line schedule for Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, 2026. These adjustments are due to traffic restrictions for the 79th Hita Kawabiraki (River Opening) Sightseeing Festival. Passengers should expect approximately five-minute delays and note that three intermediate stops will be skipped on select services.
What's Changing in the BRT Hikoboshi Line Schedule?
On May 20, 2026, Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) published an official notice regarding the BRT Hikoboshi Line schedule. The changes are for the 79th Hita Kawabiraki Sightseeing Festival (第79回日田川開き観光祭), a community event along the Mikuma River. A parade near BRT Hita Station will cause road closures.
Because of the parade, JR Kyushu will temporarily reroute BRT Hikoboshi Line services between BRT Hita Station and BRT Moka Station (光岡駅). Instead of the normal "Direct Route" (直行ルート), affected services will take the "High School Route" (高校ルート). This longer path may encounter traffic, so delays of approximately five minutes are expected.
Additionally, three intermediate stops will be bypassed during the detour. These stops — Rinko Nishiguchi (林工西口), Showa Gakuen-mae (昭和学園前), and Hita City Hall-mae (日田市役所前) — will be temporarily unavailable. The published timetable for BRT Hita Station remains accurate; only the intermediate stops are affected.
Which Services Are Affected by the Schedule Change?
The schedule change only impacts specific BRT Hikoboshi Line services identified by name and time. Not every train is affected. Passengers must verify their service's name (e.g., "Hikoboshi 3") and scheduled time to see if it's on the detour list.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Southbound (下り) — Toward Moka / Oita
| Service Name | Scheduled Arrival at BRT Hita Station | Skipped Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Hikoboshi 3 (ひこぼし3号) | 09:46 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Hikoboshi 5 (ひこぼし5号) | 11:18 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Hikoboshi 7 (ひこぼし7号) | 13:03 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
Northbound (上り) — Toward Hita
| Service Name | Scheduled Departure from BRT Hita Station | Skipped Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Hikoboshi 6 (ひこぼし6号) | 09:44 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Hikoboshi 8 (ひこぼし8号) | 11:05 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Southbound (下り) — Toward Moka / Oita
| Service Name | Scheduled Arrival at BRT Hita Station | Skipped Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Hikoboshi 3 (ひこぼし3号) | 09:46 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Hikoboshi 5 (ひこぼし5号) | 11:18 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Hikoboshi 7 (ひこぼし7号) | 13:03 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Hikoboshi 9 (ひこぼし9号) | 14:25 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
Northbound (上り) — Toward Hita
| Service Name | Scheduled Departure from BRT Hita Station | Skipped Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Hikoboshi 6 (ひこぼし6号) | 09:44 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Hikoboshi 8 (ひこぼし8号) | 11:05 | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
Normal Service vs. Detour Service: A Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Normal "Direct Route" Service | Detour "High School Route" Service (May 23-24) |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Standard BRT Hikoboshi Line path | Alternate "High School Route" (高校ルート) |
| Stops Served | All stations including Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae | Skips three intermediate stops listed above |
| Journey Time (BRT Hita ↔ BRT Moka) | Standard timetable | + ~5 minutes delay expected |
| When Does This Apply? | Normal days, including unaffected services on May 23-24 | Only for listed services on May 23-24, 2026 |
Key Difference Between the Two Days
The BRT Hikoboshi Line schedule for Sunday, May 24, includes one additional affected southbound service — Hikoboshi 9 (arriving at 14:25) — that is not affected on Saturday. The northbound schedule is identical. This hints that Sunday's parade or restrictions might last longer into the afternoon, though the official notice doesn't confirm this.
Services NOT Affected
Any BRT Hikoboshi Line service not listed above will run on the normal "Direct Route" and stop at all stations. If your service name or time isn't in the tables, it should be unaffected.
Understanding the BRT Hikoboshi Line: A Brief Overview
For those new to this route, the BRT Hikoboshi Line is a Bus Rapid Transit service run by JR Kyushu in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. It connects BRT Hita Station and BRT Moka Station, linking the city center to surrounding areas and conventional JR Kyushu trains.
The name "Hikoboshi" comes from the star Altair in the Tanabata legend, a story deeply connected to Hita City's culture. The detour route, known as the "High School Route," is a pre-established alternate path used when the direct route is blocked. The key takeaway for passengers: three stops are bypassed, and your journey will take longer.
What Travelers Should Do: Actionable Tips
If you're riding the BRT Hikoboshi Line on May 23 or 24, 2026, follow this guidance based on the official JR Kyushu notice:
1. Check Your Specific Service Against the Schedule
Refer to the tables above. Match your planned BRT service by name and time. If it's listed, it will take the detour and skip the three stops. If it's not listed, it should run normally.
2. Plan Around the Skipped Stops
If you need Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, or Hita City Hall-mae, your options are:
- Use a different, non-listed BRT service that still stops there.
- Board/alight at BRT Hita Station or BRT Moka Station and walk or use alternative local transport. Taxis are a viable option.
3. Budget for Delays (and Don't Cut It Close)
JR Kyushu warns of approximately five-minute delays between BRT Hita and BRT Moka stations. Real-time road conditions could extend this. If you have a tight transfer, add extra buffer time. Pro tip: If catching a JR train afterward, consider taking an earlier BRT service than you normally would.
4. Be Wary of Missed Connections at Oita Station
The official notice specifically warns that BRT delays could cause passengers to miss their JR train connection at Oita Station (添田駅). If you're transferring, build in a safety margin. Check our JR Kyushu Timetable Guide to see alternative train options.
5. Expect Crowds and Arrive Early
A festival parade near BRT Hita Station means higher passenger volumes and pedestrian congestion. If you have a critical connection, arriving early is a smart move.
About the Hita Kawabiraki Festival
The Hita Kawabiraki Sightseeing Festival (日田川開き観光祭) marks the seasonal opening of river activities. The 79th edition features performances, food stalls, and the parade causing the BRT Hikoboshi Line schedule changes. Hita City itself is famous for its preserved merchant district (Mameda-machi) and riverside charm along the Mikuma River. It's a major local event, hence the traffic management.
Looking for more than just transit info? Our Oita Prefecture Travel Guide covers broader sightseeing and logistics.
Integrating This into Your Kyushu Rail Plans
Think about the bigger picture when planning your Kyushu journey:
- Japan Rail Pass: The BRT Hikoboshi Line is typically covered by the JR Kyushu Rail Pass. No fare changes are announced, but confirm with JR Kyushu to be sure.
- Transfers: The BRT connects to JR trains. The detour delays could throw off your timing, especially when transferring to lines heading to Oita, Kurume, or Hakata.
- Alternatives: The notice doesn't mention substitute buses for the skipped stops. Walking, taxi, or using a different BRT service are your main options during the affected hours.
- Weekend Schedules: The detour applies to the existing weekend BRT Hikoboshi Line schedule. It's an extra layer on top of normal weekend operations.
For a bigger picture on moving around Kyushu, see our Kyushu Rail & Transit Overview, covering connections between Hakata, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Oita.
Summary of Key Changes
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 79th Hita Kawabiraki Sightseeing Festival |
| Dates | May 23 (Sat) and May 24 (Sun), 2026 |
| Affected Service | BRT Hikoboshi Line (select services only) |
| Affected Segment | BRT Hita Station ↔ BRT Moka Station |
| Route Change | Normal "Direct Route" → "High School Route" (高校ルート) |
| Skipped Stops | Rinko Nishiguchi, Showa Gakuen-mae, Hita City Hall-mae |
| Expected Delay | Approx. 5 minutes (may vary with road conditions) |
| Connection Risk | Possible missed transfers to trains at Oita Station due to BRT delays |
| Reason | Parade-related traffic restrictions near BRT Hita Station |
Official Source
Source Information
- Source Label: Official Institution (JR Kyushu)
- Publisher: Kyushu Railway Company (九州旅客鉄道株式会社)
- Original Japanese Headline: 2026年05月20日 運輸サービス 日田川開き観光祭に伴う「BRTひこぼしラインの迂回運行」について
- Published: May 20, 2026, 05:07 UTC
- Source Site: jrkyushu.co.jp
- Source Document: Download the official notice (PDF, Japanese)
All information in this article is derived from the above official source. Where details are not provided in the source, this article has noted the absence of information rather than speculate.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Only the specifically listed services — identified by name (e.g., Hikoboshi 3, Hikoboshi 5) and scheduled time — will follow the detour route and skip the three stops. All other BRT Hikoboshi Line services will operate on the normal "Direct Route" with all stops served. Refer to the tables in the "Affected Services" section above for the complete list.
According to the JR Kyushu notice, Hita City Hall-mae will be skipped by the listed services during the detour. You have two options: (1) use a different, non-listed BRT service that still stops at Hita City Hall-mae, or (2) board or alight at BRT Hita Station or BRT Moka Station instead. The source notice does not specify alternative arrangements for the skipped stops.
The official notice estimates approximately five minutes of delay but explicitly notes that the actual delay will depend on road conditions (道路状況). In practice, this means delays could be shorter or longer than five minutes depending on traffic, crowd density, and the timing of parade-related restrictions on the day. JR Kyushu does not provide a maximum delay estimate.
The JR Kyushu notice does not mention any fare changes. The detour applies to the route taken, not the fare structure. However, this article cannot guarantee fare details; passengers should confirm with JR Kyushu or check signage at the station.
The source notice lists Hikoboshi 9 (14:25 arrival at BRT Hita Station) as affected only on Sunday, May 24, but does not provide a reason. It is possible that Sunday's parade or traffic restrictions extend further into the afternoon than Saturday's, but this is not stated in the official notice. The exact duration of traffic restrictions on each day is not specified.
Not entirely. On Sunday, the southbound direction has four affected services (Hikoboshi 3, 5, 7, and 9), while the northbound direction has only two affected services (Hikoboshi 6 and 8) on both days. Always check both the day and direction when planning your trip.
Your best bet is to use a non-affected BRT service on the normal schedule. Check the full BRT Hikoboshi Line timetable for services not listed in our tables. If no normal services are available at your desired time, consider taking a taxi from BRT Hita Station or BRT Moka Station, which remain fully operational.
Final Thoughts
The BRT Hikoboshi Line schedule changes for May 23–24, 2026, are a temporary, localized adjustment for the Hita Kawabiraki Festival. For most, the impact is minor: select services take a different route, three stops are briefly skipped, and delays are around five minutes. If you rely on the skipped stops, plan an alternative. If you're connecting to a JR train, allow extra time because of the delay risk at Oita Station.
Stay flexible — conditions on the day may differ from the estimates. For the latest transit updates across Japan, bookmark japantrain.net and check our Rail News section regularly. Ready to plan more of your Kyushu trip? Dive into our guides to JR Kyushu timetables, JR Kyushu Rail Passes, and Kyushu regional transit options.
Safe travels and enjoy the festival atmosphere if you're in Hita!
