Photo= Men and women in kimono sightsee from Segways at Nijo Castle (October 17, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto)

On October 23, Segway Japan, Ltd., based in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, launched guided tours for a limited time only, in which participants can enjoy touring while riding on a "Segway," or a two-wheeled, electric-powered vehicle that carries the rider in a standing position, at Nijo Castle, a designated World Heritage Site, in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. Prior to the actual tours, a simulation tour was held on October 17, and five men and women in kimono enjoyed exploring the castle grounds via Segway.

The guided tour has been planned as a part of "Nijo-jo Matsuri," or Nijo Castle Festival, starting on October 23 and lasting until December 11. The purpose is to promote Segway tours even in Japan, as such tours have gained in popularity at overseas tourist sites. It is the first time such a tour has been held in Kyoto.

On that day, men and women selected as monitors participated in the simulation tour dressed in kimono, in order to demonstrate that it can be ridden regardless of what clothes one is wearing. After receiving about an hour of training, they started from the front of Kara-mon gate, and went through an approximately one-kilometer course along the inner moat which surrounds Honmaru Palace. They moved around the castle smoothly, taking commemorative photos while riding their Segways, speeding up in the lawn area, and so on. Tourists passing by curiously focused their cameras on them.