An old bus stop sign installed outside a nursing home in Nagoya. (Courtesy ofJR Tokai Bus)
Outside a nursing home in Nagoya stands a bus stop where no buses ever come. The sign, taken from a previously used bus stop, has been repurposed for a very specific reason: to support the mental well-being of residents with dementia while keeping them safe.
People with dementia can sometimes feel a strong urge to "go home" and may wander off without supervision, putting themselves at risk of getting lost or injured. By providing a bus stop within the facility, staff give residents a place to pause and calm themselves without having to forcibly stop them, helping to ease their anxiety and agitation.
Inspired by Germany
The bus stop was donated by JR Tokai Bus to the nursing home Nagoyaka House Kibogaoka. It had previously stood in front of Nisshin Station in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, but was discontinued after the bus timetable was revised in December 2025. The sign has now been changed to reflect the nursing home's name.
The concept of using a "fake" bus stop was first introduced at a German elderly care facility, which faced challenges with residents wandering off and getting lost. Since then, the idea has spread to Japan as a gentle way to support residents. It provides a safe way for staff to interact with and protect elderly residents while they wait for a bus that will never arrive.
Community Collaboration
In the Nagoya case, the initiative began after the nursing home consulted JR Tokai Bus. At the donation ceremony, the company's president, Hitoshi Ogasawara, said, "We are pleased that a bus stop that would have been discarded can take on a new role and continue to be of service. We hope to continue walking together with the local community."
The facility's director, Akira Kimata, expressed his gratitude: "When we consulted about the bus stop, they listened attentively and kindly agreed. For the sake of our residents, we want to continue cherishing this bus stop."
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
