Answers to common questions about ShidenNow.
Q. Is ShidenNow free to use?
Yes, it's completely free. No app install or sign-up is required — it works right away in your browser.
Q. Does it track trams live via GPS?
No. ShidenNow doesn't use GPS vehicle tracking — it calculates "minutes until next departure" from the published timetable, plus a lightweight, crowd-sourced "possible delay" signal from user reports.
Q. Which lines are supported?
Both Kagoshima City Tram lines are supported: Line 1 (Kagoshima-Ekimae – Taniyama) and Line 2 (Kagoshima-Ekimae – Kagoshima-Chuo Sta. – Kōrimoto).
Q. Where does the timetable data come from?
It's built from the official timetable published by the Kagoshima City Transportation Bureau. During the first 5 days of each month, a timetable API request refreshes one batch at a time. A revision made later in the month appears only after a manual update by the operator or the next month's automatic update.
Q. Does it work offline?
Once you've viewed a stop's timetable, it is cached in your browser so it still displays with poor signal. Map tiles are not included in the app's offline cache. Delay reports and Refresh require a connection; a service alert fetched before going offline may remain visible with a stale-data warning.
Q. How is location data handled?
Coordinates obtained when you use "Find nearby," enable Auto-locate on open, or show your current location on the map are used on-device for nearest-stop calculation and are never sent to or stored by ShidenNow. Opening the map loads map tiles from OpenStreetMap for the area you view.
Q. How do delay reports work?
Tapping "Not yet arrived" marks the tram on your screen immediately. Other users see a "possible delay" indicator once at least two reports have been recorded for the same tram. Reports are accepted during the first and second minutes after departure: a 10:00 departure can be reported from 10:01 through 10:02. If two or more reports were already recorded at an earlier stop, a lighter "possible delay reported near ◯◯" note appears at your stop even before it arrives, as an early heads-up. This is a rough, user-submitted signal, not official operational data.
Q. Can I find which tram to take, including changes, from my destination?
Yes. Use "Find a tram by destination" on a departure board, or "Find by destination" on the top screen, to list trams to your destination, including routes with up to one change. Besides stop names, some places such as Kagoshima University, Yamakataya and Amu Plaza can be searched (walking time from the stop to the place is not included). Results are estimated from today's timetable; changes are only at the same stop, with at least 2 minutes allowed. Delays are not considered, and routes with two or more changes or buses and other transport are not covered.
Q. Can I transfer between Line 1 and Line 2?
Yes, at Takamibaba or Kōrimoto (both have separate platforms per line, so you'll need to walk to the other side). Using a transfer ticket or the "Rapica" IC card, transfers within 1 hour are free of additional fare. The Transportation Bureau notice checked on October 19, 2026 lists October 21, 2026 as the planned start date for Payどん. Transfer discounts do not apply to Payどん payments. Check the Transportation Bureau notice for current availability. See the Routes & Stops page for details.
Q. Does it support dark mode?
Yes — it automatically follows your device or browser's dark mode setting. There's no separate toggle inside the app.
Q. Can I use the "Rapica" IC card?
Yes, trams accept Rapica. ShidenNow itself doesn't process Rapica payments — it's only a departure-time guide. For how to buy or top up a Rapica card, check the Bureau's official site.
Q. Is this an official Kagoshima City Transportation Bureau app?
No. ShidenNow is an independent, unofficial service run by an individual, not affiliated with the Bureau. It's built using their publicly available timetable.
Q. What if the displayed time doesn't match reality, or the tram doesn't show up?
This service is timetable-based, so actual operation can differ due to traffic and other factors. For accurate live status, check the Bureau's official information, and please allow extra time when traveling.
For other questions, please use the contact form on the About page.