If you thought Japan couldn’t get any cuter, this little town is here to change your mind. Tucked away in Nagasaki Prefecture, Konagai is suddenly all over social media, thanks to its bright, fruit-shaped bus stops that look like they’ve jumped straight out of a cartoon. From strawberries to watermelons, these cheerful stops are being lovingly called “serotonin boosters” by visitors who can’t stop smiling—or clicking pictures.
The viral moment picked up pace after influencer Ananya Ray shared a video exploring these quirky bus stops. In her post, she showed exactly where to find them and shared tips on how to enjoy the experience best. While renting a car makes it easier to spot all of them, she chose to take the local bus instead, experiencing the town the way residents do. According to her, slowing down and hopping off at each stop makes the journey even more special.
She encouraged travellers looking to go beyond the usual Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka circuit to add Konagai to their plans. Her message was simple—save this spot, share it with a friend whose favourite fruit matches one of the bus stops, and explore a softer, more playful side of Japan.
The idea behind these colourful bus stops is just as charming as they look. Inspired by Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, each stop was designed as a different fruit to create a joyful and welcoming atmosphere. Located about 16 kilometres from Isahaya city, Konagai offers a refreshing contrast to the heavy history often associated with Nagasaki, which is widely known for the atomic bombing of 1945.
Back in the 1990s, the town struggled to attract tourists. Locals then came up with the idea of creating fruit-shaped bus stops for a travel-themed expo in Osaka. The concept became an instant hit, and instead of fading away, it turned into a permanent attraction. Today, visitors can spot bus stops shaped like melons, oranges, watermelons, strawberries, and even a tomato—added playfully to challenge the idea that it’s a vegetable.
Efforts like these are paying off. Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million tourists in 2025, and the country is now focusing on spreading tourism to lesser-known towns like Konagai. With a goal of reaching 60 million visitors annually by 2030, it’s clear that small, joyful ideas like these fruit bus stops are helping Japan win hearts—one cute photo at a time.
