One scrapped car creates a memorable day for children: Experiential event "Rakugaki Car" held at two locations in Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture, and Obihiro City, Hokkaido

Smile Company Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, Representative Director: Shunsuke Yamano, hereinafter "Smile Company") held the experiential event "Rakugaki Car" where children freely draw on a canvas made from a car scheduled for scrapping, at its Tome store (Miyagi Prefecture) and Asahikawa store (Hokkaido) of its used car buying franchise "Smile Cars." The events took place on May 17, 2026 (Sun.) in Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture, and on June 14, 2026 (Sun.) in Obihiro City, Hokkaido.

This project aims to deliver a moment of community interaction and creativity through the extraordinary experience of children directly drawing pictures and messages on a car that has completed its service. The act of "drawing on a car," which is normally never permitted, makes children's eyes sparkle and leaves warm memories in the hearts of the adults watching. This time, we participated as part of two major events: a local child-rearing support flea market and a traffic safety awareness festival co-hosted by JAF and driving schools, delivering this experience to a wide range of generations in Tohoku and Hokkaido.

Smile Company will continue to develop "Rakugaki Car" tailored to the characteristics of each region, in cooperation with Smile Cars franchise stores nationwide, using the insights gained from this project and the many voices received from each community. We will add new value and stories to vehicles scheduled for scrapping, which have often been seen as having "reached the end of their service." We will continue to pursue this project as an initiative that brings smiles and interaction to communities.

Event Overview and Results

Miyagi Venue: Held as part of the 4th Child-Rearing Support Flea Market

Item

Details

Event Name

4th Child-Rearing Support Flea Market

Date and Time

May 17, 2026 (Sun) 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Venue

Ishibashi Hospital Parking Lot (27 Kitanakatsutsumishita, Wakayanagi, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Organizer

Child-Rearing Support Flea Market Executive Committee

Co-organizer

Medical Corporation Foundation Koujikai

Cooperation

Smile Company Co., Ltd. (Smile Cars Tome Store)

The venue on the day was visited by a wide range of local residents, from families with small children to the elderly. Many participants, mainly families with children, gathered at the "Rakugaki Car" booth. Many families visited the event specifically for this project after seeing flyers distributed in advance. Combined with the liveliness of the flea market and the colorful food trucks lined up, it was a peaceful and warm time for the local community to deepen their interactions throughout the day.

Hokkaido Venue: Held as part of the Traffic Safety Awareness Festival ~Safe Driving for the Whole Community and Family~

Item

Details

Event Name

Traffic Safety Awareness Festival (Co-hosted by Obiji x JAF Obihiro Branch)

Date and Time

June 14, 2026 (Sun) 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Venue

June 14, 2026 (Sun) 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Co-organizer

Obihiro Driving School Co., Ltd. / Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) Obihiro Branch

Cooperation

Smile Company Co., Ltd. (Smile Cars Asahikawa Store)

Number of Participants

Total event visitors: 534, Rakugaki Car participants: approx. 300

At this venue, held for the first time in the Obihiro area, 534 people visited the event under the early summer sun, and approximately 300 of them experienced "Rakugaki Car." Despite the warm weather, many participants, mainly families with children, gathered around the car body, holding colorful pens and drawing their own pictures and messages, a scene visible everywhere at the venue.

Children's eyes sparkled as they asked, "Can I draw on the tires too?" and responded to their parents' calls to move on with, "Wait, I want to draw more." When asked about the car's future, parents who were told it was scheduled for scrapping smiled and said, "This is a wonderful initiative, a rare experience." Scenes of people of all ages engrossed in drawing unfolded throughout the venue.

Thanks to the synergy with a quiz rally held within the venue, almost all visitors were able to see the "Rakugaki Car." Many children returned to the car with pens after visiting other booths, and by the end, the car body was so covered with drawings and messages that it was difficult to find any empty space. The sight of everyone enjoying it until the very last stroke was deeply memorable for our staff who were involved in the operation.

*Reference: Past Events

Prior to this project, Smile Company held "Rakugaki Car" on March 14, 2026, in Hidaka City, Saitama Prefecture, for approximately 30 children belonging to a local youth soccer team. Interaction beyond team boundaries naturally occurred, and the car body was covered with colors and messages. Parents who attended also provided many warm comments such as, "It was a valuable experience" and "I was able to see a new side of my child." This small initiative, which began in Saitama, has expanded its reach to a parking lot of a medical facility in Tohoku and the grounds of a driving school in Hokkaido within just three months. "Rakugaki Car" is steadily progressing as an initiative that connects communities and generations.

Comments from Stakeholders

"Rakugaki Car" Originator, Koji Kojima, Manager of Smile Cars Hakusan Store (Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture)

"Could we give cars we've bought for scrapping a 'final role' where children can fully enjoy themselves before they are scrapped?" This simple idea is how "Rakugaki Car" began. We have exhibited at several events, including local markets, and the response from visitors has far exceeded our expectations. The extraordinary experience of "drawing on a car," which is normally never allowed, makes not only children but also adults' eyes sparkle. When we heard people say, "We came to the event because of Rakugaki Car," we realized that this initiative was gradually taking root in the community. When I started, I certainly had the desire to let as many people as possible know about "Smile Cars." But now, my colleagues across the country are spreading this circle in their own towns. I am deeply moved by this sight. I sincerely hope that one day, "Rakugaki Car" will be held in various places across the country, and we will be known as "Smile Cars means Rakugaki Car."

Representative Director, Shunsuke Yamano

This "Rakugaki Car" event provided an opportunity to hold the event in new regions, Miyagi and Hokkaido, by joining hands with wonderful local organizers. It was a moment when a circle of smiles transcended generations and showed unprecedented expansion. In particular, at the Hokkaido venue, approximately 300 out of 534 visitors experienced the event. The children's voices, reluctant to leave, saying "I want to draw more," and the gazes of parents who praised it as "a wonderful and rare experience." Each of these moments made me realize anew the great value this initiative can bring to the local community. We will continue to deliver the moment when a car that has finished its service transforms into a special existence that remains in children's memories to more regions and more people.

Reference: About Smile Company Co., Ltd.

Smile Company, with the motto "To remain a partner that delights our customers," operates over 100 "Smile Cars" used car buying franchise stores nationwide. In September 2025, it was selected as one of the "Top 100 Companies Representing Saitama." In 2026, we also began recruiting franchisees for "Smile Truck," a franchise specializing in buying commercial vehicles. Moving forward, Smile Company will continue to aim for the establishment of a franchise model rooted in the field and sustainable business growth by sincerely engaging with franchise owners.

Smile Cars Official Page

Smile Truck Official Page

Smile Company Corporate Information Page

Reference: First Book by Representative Director Shunsuke Yamano

This book chronicles the journey of "Smile Cars," a non-storefront used car buying franchise, as it surpassed 100 stores nationwide in just three years since starting franchisee recruitment. It focuses on the accumulation of on-site decision-making and dialogue, rather than success stories. The book also includes a roundtable discussion with three franchise owners. It presents not only success stories but also the genuine thoughts and opinions exchanged in the field, conveying the reality and organizational atmosphere of "Smile Cars."

Book Title: Why Did Smile Cars, a Car Buying Service, Grow to Over 100 Stores in 3 Years?

Author: Shunsuke Yamano

Release Date: March 11, 2026

Publisher: Fusosha

Price: 1,700 yen (tax included)

Online Sales: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594102409/

【Company Profile】

Company Name: Smile Company Co., Ltd.

Established: January 2022

Location: 15-13 Wakita Honcho, Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, 350-1123

Representative: Shunsuke Yamano, Representative Director

Business Activities: Operation of used car buying franchises "Smile Cars" and "Smile Truck," and related businesses.

【Contact Information for this Matter】

Smile Company Co., Ltd. Public Relations: Takahashi

Phone: 049-272-7819, Email: aloha@smile-cars.jp