Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel × Naoto Kitamura Collaboration Wrapping Bus to Begin Operation on April 1st (Wednesday)

Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel (Location: Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, General Manager: Tatsuya Kurama, hereinafter referred to as "Suginoi Hotel") will begin operating a wrapping bus featuring artwork by Naoto Kitamura, an artist residing in Oita City, starting April 1st, 2026.

Wrapping Bus (Image)

Suginoi Hotel promotes the "Community Co-creation Project," which aims to create new attractions together with local communities and offer unique local "experiences." As part of this initiative, we have produced a wrapping bus utilizing the artwork of Naoto Kitamura, an artist based in Oita City. The bus features original illustrations by Kitamura depicting the hotel, Beppu's scenery, animals, and multi-generational families, expressing the charm of the hotel and the region as a single narrative across the entire vehicle. As a "moving canvas" running through the streets of Beppu, it will be seen by local residents and visitors alike, fostering natural connections between people and with the region through art. Through co-creation with the community, Suginoi Hotel continues to be a place where happy memories are made for families, couples, and friends.

Overview

Period: April 1st, 2026 – End date undecided

Location: Suginoi Hotel premises and shuttle service between the hotel and JR Beppu Station

Content: Original wrapping bus with artwork inspired by Suginoi Hotel, partially created by artist Naoto Kitamura.

Naoto Kitamura

Comment

This wrapping bus was created with the hope that the journey to Suginoi Hotel itself becomes a fun memory. I've incorporated animals, which I often depict, in a composition that evokes a sense of momentum and anticipation for the trip. The 'Tanayu' (terraced baths) are drawn with a rough touch, combining the warmth of hand-drawn art with the openness characteristic of Suginoi Hotel. I focused on making the animals, Tanayu, and the smiling multi-generational family create a continuous story across the entire bus. I believe Suginoi Hotel is a place where people of all ages can feel they've had a "good time." To express this atmosphere, I depicted a multi-generational family laughing naturally. The Tanayu is not rendered realistically but as a "scene that gently emerges in memory." The animals represent the excitement before a visit and the lingering impressions after the experience. I hope that as this bus travels through the city, the charm of Beppu and the enjoyment of Suginoi Hotel will spread a little into the hearts of those who see it.

Profile

Born in Kasuga City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and currently residing in Oita City. He pursued soccer from childhood and moved to Brazil at age 16 to study abroad. However, at 19, he decided to pursue a career he could continue for a lifetime and became a painter. On impulse, he began selling his art on the street in a station underpass. He gained recognition through various events and exhibitions. In 2014, his artwork was featured in the Fuji TV drama "Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon," gaining national attention. In 2021, he held his first solo exhibition, "Naoto Kitamura Exhibition," at the Oita Prefectural Art Museum, attracting 28,000 visitors despite COVID-19 restrictions. He continues to be active in various fields, including collaborations with companies, providing artwork for TV dramas, and exhibitions. He is currently focusing on social media, with a total follower count exceeding 500,000 (as of September 19, 2025).

Design Image

Front (Image)

Rear (Image)

Left Side (Image)

Right Side (Image)

About Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel:

Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel, a group hotel of ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS, is located in Kankaiji Onsen, one of the Beppu Hatto hot springs. It offers an overwhelming scale of hot spring resort experience, with views of Mount Tsurumi and, on clear days, vistas extending to Cape Sada in Shikoku. In addition to the impressive large open-air observation bath "Tanayu" and the sky-high open-air bath "Sorayu," the hotel features three buffet restaurants offering carefully selected menus by chefs throughout the seasons. Furthermore, the premises are equipped with entertainment facilities such as the all-weather pool "Aqua Beat" (summer season only), the outdoor hot spring "Aqua Garden," and "SUGINOI BOWL & PARK." In January 2025, the "Hoshi-kan" (Star Building), the finale of a large-scale renovation, opened, marking the start of the reborn Suginoi Hotel.

Official Website: https://suginoi.orixhotelsandresorts.com/

Instagram Official Account: https://www.instagram.com/beppu_suginoihotel_official/

LINE Official Account: https://page.line.me/?accountId=968pmsgb

About ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS:

ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS is the brand for the ryokan and hotel operation business of ORIX Hotel Management Corporation. With a wide range of categories encompassing both ryokans and hotels, from luxury to casual, we deliver experiences tailored to the various life stages of our guests, aiming to provide "places you'll want to visit again." In July 2026, we plan to open "Cross Hotel Kyoto," and we operate a total of 15 ryokans and hotels across 6 brands, from Hokkaido in the north to Fukuoka and Oita in the south.

ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS Official Website: https://www.orixhotelsandresorts.com/

ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS Instagram Official Account: https://www.instagram.com/orix_hotels_and_resorts/