Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel × Naoto Kitamura Collaboration Wrapping Bus Begins Operation on Wednesday, April 1

Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel (Location: Beppu City, Oita Prefecture; General Manager: Tatsuya Kurama; hereinafter 'Suginoi Hotel') will begin operating a wrapping bus featuring the work of Naoto Kitamura, a painter residing in Oita City, starting Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Suginoi Hotel is promoting a 'Regional Co-creation Project' to create new appeal together with local residents and provide 'experiences' unique to the region. As part of this initiative, we have created a wrapping bus utilizing the artwork of Naoto Kitamura, a painter living in Oita City. Incorporating original drawings by Mr. Kitamura of the hotel, Beppu's scenery, animals, and a three-generation family, the entire bus expresses the charm of the hotel and the region as a single story. By running through the streets of Beppu as a 'moving canvas,' it catches the eyes of locals and visitors, naturally connecting people to people and people to the region through art. Through co-creation with the community, Suginoi Hotel will continue to be a place where happy memories of families, couples, and friends accumulate.

Overview Period: April 1, 2026 to end date undetermined Location: Within the premises of Suginoi Hotel, and shuttle service between the hotel and JR Beppu Station Details: An original wrapping bus partially featuring newly drawn illustrations by painter Naoto Kitamura, inspired by Suginoi Hotel.

Naoto Kitamura

Comment I created this wrapping bus with the hope that the time spent traveling to Suginoi Hotel itself would become a fun memory. I arranged the animals I often draw in my works, structuring it so that the momentum of starting to run and the anticipation for the trip naturally well up. I drew Tanayu (terraced open-air bath) with a rough touch, layering the warmth unique to hand-drawn art and the openness unique to Suginoi Hotel. I am conscious of making the scenes of animals, Tanayu, and a three-generation family laughing together into a continuous story across the entire bus. I believe Suginoi Hotel is a place where anyone, regardless of age, can feel 'it was a good time' when they visit.