Spend This Summer in Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma with 'Natsume Yujin-cho'! [Information Embargo Lifted] Major Summer 2026 Collaboration Announced Between TV Anime 'Natsume Yujin-cho' and Kyushu Sanko Group!
The Kyushu Sanko Group has announced a major summer 2026 collaboration with the TV anime 'Natsume Yujin-cho' in the Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma areas. The event features exclusive wrapping buses, pop-up shops, and guided tours to promote regional tourism and support disaster recovery efforts.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 23:00
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Kyushu Sanko Group (Shinshigai, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City / Kyushu Industrial Transportation Holdings Co., Ltd., President: Masayuki Oda) will implement a collaboration project with the TV anime 'Natsume Yujin-cho' starting in July 2026 as part of its regional contribution business.
'Natsume Yujin-cho in Kumamoto 2026 - Hitoyoshi & Kuma' is a regional contribution project that the Kyushu Sanko Group is undertaking as a united front to promote the charm of Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma, continuing from 2025.
Through this project, the Kyushu Sanko Group will strongly collaborate with ongoing reconstruction support for the areas affected by the 'July 2020 Torrential Rain', the 'Kumagawa Railroad' aiming to resume operations in 2026, and the 'Kumamoto Destination Campaign 2026'. Uniting with the local community, we will deliver the 'present' and 'future' of this land, which serves as the model for the anime, to the world.
Project Overview
1. [Exclusive to This Collab] Yukata Attire Combining Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma Motifs! Exclusive Newly Drawn Illustrations
The biggest highlight of this project is the newly drawn illustrations specially created for this occasion.
We have designed special visuals of popular characters, including Takashi Natsume, stylishly wearing original yukata designed with motifs of the rich nature and traditional culture of Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma.
The visual of them adding flair in exclusive attire against the emotional landscapes of Hitoyoshi and Kuma will be deployed as an icon symbolizing all scenes of the event, including the exterior of the wrapping buses, limited edition merchandise, and novelty items.
2. Dashing Through Kumamoto! Running Original Design Wrapping Buses
Kyushu Sanko Bus (Kamidai, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) will operate the 'Natsume Yujin-cho Wrapping Bus' boldly featuring the newly drawn illustrations that symbolize this project. The design is a collage of the beautiful landscapes of Hitoyoshi and Kuma, finished with a refreshing blue base inspired by the clear streams of the Kuma River.
Special vehicles blending the model location landscapes with characters stylishly wearing original yukata will dash through the streets of Kumamoto and the rich nature of Hitoyoshi.
- Operation Period: Late June to November 30 (Mon), 2026 (Planned)
- Route: Between Kumamoto City and Fukuoka City (Operated as Highway Hinokuni Bus)
* There may be days it cannot operate due to vehicle maintenance, etc., during the period.
* The start date of operation will be announced as soon as it is decided.
* The operation schedule will be decided 2 days in advance. Please contact the Kyushu Sanko Bus Kumamoto Office by phone for the planned schedule.
3. Pop-up Shop at Commercial Facility 'Sakura Machi Kumamoto'
Sakura Machi Kumamoto (3-10 Sakuramachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City) will host a limited-time pop-up store that will serve as the base for this project.
The venue will feature a diverse lineup of official TV anime 'Natsume Yujin-cho' merchandise, including exclusive original goods using the newly drawn illustrations. Furthermore, special photo spots perfect for making travel memories will be set up, providing a special space where you can immerse yourself in the world of the anime, not just enjoy shopping.
- Event Period: July 1 (Wed) to September 30 (Wed), 2026 (Planned)
- Location: Sakura Machi Kumamoto 1F Main Entrance (Planned)
* Business hours and holidays will match those of Sakura Machi Kumamoto.
* Details will be announced later on the Sakura Machi Kumamoto website.
4. [Reservations Start 4/23] Embark on a 'Tour of Ayakashi Villages' on the Wrapping Bus! Hitoyoshi & Kuma Bus Tour Operations
The highly acclaimed bus tour visiting the model locations of Hitoyoshi and Kuma on a wrapping bus, presented by Kyushu Sanko Tourism (4-3 Hanabatacho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City), returns in summer 2026 with an even more powered-up experience.
This tour takes you to famous spots that retain the atmosphere of the anime while swaying in a specially designed wrapping bus. In addition to standard locations like 'Ogaki Bishamondo' and 'Tamachi Sugawara Tenmangu', the newly opened 'Tengu Bridge' in 2025 has been added to the route.
Since many of the model locations feature emotional narrow paths where buses cannot enter, we will also guide you to hidden spots that can only be reached by a 10-minute walk. The scenery straight out of the anime that appears after walking will surely be exceptionally moving for fans. We will produce a special summer trip to Hitoyoshi and Kuma, deepening the contents of the previous tour.
① Travel on the Natsume Yujin-cho Wrapping Bus
Journey to Encounter the Original Landscapes of the TV Anime 'Natsume Yujin-cho' - Continued: Tour of Ayakashi Villages Hitoyoshi & Kuma
- Operation Period: July 12 (Sun) to November 22 (Sun), 2026 *Scheduled for 21 days in total
<< Reservations Now Open! >>
Day Trip Tour: https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/tourism/tour/natsume-kt1a-001000/
'Natsume Yujin-cho in Kumamoto 2026 - Hitoyoshi & Kuma' is a regional contribution project that the Kyushu Sanko Group is undertaking as a united front to promote the charm of Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma, continuing from 2025.
Through this project, the Kyushu Sanko Group will strongly collaborate with ongoing reconstruction support for the areas affected by the 'July 2020 Torrential Rain', the 'Kumagawa Railroad' aiming to resume operations in 2026, and the 'Kumamoto Destination Campaign 2026'. Uniting with the local community, we will deliver the 'present' and 'future' of this land, which serves as the model for the anime, to the world.
Project Overview
1. [Exclusive to This Collab] Yukata Attire Combining Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma Motifs! Exclusive Newly Drawn Illustrations
The biggest highlight of this project is the newly drawn illustrations specially created for this occasion.
We have designed special visuals of popular characters, including Takashi Natsume, stylishly wearing original yukata designed with motifs of the rich nature and traditional culture of Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma.
The visual of them adding flair in exclusive attire against the emotional landscapes of Hitoyoshi and Kuma will be deployed as an icon symbolizing all scenes of the event, including the exterior of the wrapping buses, limited edition merchandise, and novelty items.
2. Dashing Through Kumamoto! Running Original Design Wrapping Buses
Kyushu Sanko Bus (Kamidai, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) will operate the 'Natsume Yujin-cho Wrapping Bus' boldly featuring the newly drawn illustrations that symbolize this project. The design is a collage of the beautiful landscapes of Hitoyoshi and Kuma, finished with a refreshing blue base inspired by the clear streams of the Kuma River.
Special vehicles blending the model location landscapes with characters stylishly wearing original yukata will dash through the streets of Kumamoto and the rich nature of Hitoyoshi.
- Operation Period: Late June to November 30 (Mon), 2026 (Planned)
- Route: Between Kumamoto City and Fukuoka City (Operated as Highway Hinokuni Bus)
* There may be days it cannot operate due to vehicle maintenance, etc., during the period.
* The start date of operation will be announced as soon as it is decided.
* The operation schedule will be decided 2 days in advance. Please contact the Kyushu Sanko Bus Kumamoto Office by phone for the planned schedule.
3. Pop-up Shop at Commercial Facility 'Sakura Machi Kumamoto'
Sakura Machi Kumamoto (3-10 Sakuramachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City) will host a limited-time pop-up store that will serve as the base for this project.
The venue will feature a diverse lineup of official TV anime 'Natsume Yujin-cho' merchandise, including exclusive original goods using the newly drawn illustrations. Furthermore, special photo spots perfect for making travel memories will be set up, providing a special space where you can immerse yourself in the world of the anime, not just enjoy shopping.
- Event Period: July 1 (Wed) to September 30 (Wed), 2026 (Planned)
- Location: Sakura Machi Kumamoto 1F Main Entrance (Planned)
* Business hours and holidays will match those of Sakura Machi Kumamoto.
* Details will be announced later on the Sakura Machi Kumamoto website.
4. [Reservations Start 4/23] Embark on a 'Tour of Ayakashi Villages' on the Wrapping Bus! Hitoyoshi & Kuma Bus Tour Operations
The highly acclaimed bus tour visiting the model locations of Hitoyoshi and Kuma on a wrapping bus, presented by Kyushu Sanko Tourism (4-3 Hanabatacho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City), returns in summer 2026 with an even more powered-up experience.
This tour takes you to famous spots that retain the atmosphere of the anime while swaying in a specially designed wrapping bus. In addition to standard locations like 'Ogaki Bishamondo' and 'Tamachi Sugawara Tenmangu', the newly opened 'Tengu Bridge' in 2025 has been added to the route.
Since many of the model locations feature emotional narrow paths where buses cannot enter, we will also guide you to hidden spots that can only be reached by a 10-minute walk. The scenery straight out of the anime that appears after walking will surely be exceptionally moving for fans. We will produce a special summer trip to Hitoyoshi and Kuma, deepening the contents of the previous tour.
① Travel on the Natsume Yujin-cho Wrapping Bus
Journey to Encounter the Original Landscapes of the TV Anime 'Natsume Yujin-cho' - Continued: Tour of Ayakashi Villages Hitoyoshi & Kuma
- Operation Period: July 12 (Sun) to November 22 (Sun), 2026 *Scheduled for 21 days in total
<< Reservations Now Open! >>
Day Trip Tour: https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/tourism/tour/natsume-kt1a-001000/