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

Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel (Location: Beppu City, Oita Prefecture; General Manager: Tatsuya Kurama; hereinafter "Suginoi Hotel") will begin operation of a wrapping bus designed by Oita-based painter Naoto Kitamura starting Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Suginoi Hotel is promoting a "Regional Co-creation Project" to generate new appeal together with local residents and provide unique regional "experiences." As part of this initiative, we have created a wrapping bus utilizing the works of Oita-based painter Naoto Kitamura. The design incorporates scenes of the hotel and Beppu, animals, and a three-generation family, all newly drawn by Mr. Kitamura, expressing the charm of the hotel and the region as a single story across the entire bus. By serving as a "moving canvas" that travels through the streets of Beppu and catches the eyes of local residents and visitors, the bus will naturally connect people to people and people to the region through art. Through this co-creation with the community, Suginoi Hotel will continue to be a place where happy memories are built for families, couples, and friends.

Overview Period: From April 1, 2026 – End date TBD Location: Within the Suginoi Hotel premises and for shuttle service between the hotel and JR Beppu Station Content: An original wrapping bus featuring designs partially drawn by painter Naoto Kitamura with the image of Suginoi Hotel in mind.

Naoto Kitamura Comments: I created this wrapping bus with the hope that the time spent traveling to Suginoi Hotel would become a fun memory in itself. I placed the animals I often draw in my work to create a composition that naturally evokes a sense of momentum, as if the bus is about to dash off, and a feeling of anticipation for the journey. I drew the 'Tanayu' (open-air bath) with a rough touch, layering the warmth unique to hand-drawn art with the sense of openness unique to Suginoi Hotel. I was conscious of making the animals, the Tanayu, and the scene of a three-generation family laughing together into one continuous story across the entire bus. I believe Suginoi Hotel is a place where anyone, regardless of age, can feel that they had a 'good time.' To express that atmosphere, I drew a three-generation family laughing together naturally. I did not draw the Tanayu realistically, but rather as a presence that 'floats up softly in one's memory.' Additionally, I layered the animals with the excitement felt before visiting and the lingering aftertaste that remains after the experience. I would be happy if, by having this bus run through the city, the charm of Beppu and the fun of Suginoi Hotel could spread a little into the hearts of those who see it.

Profile: Born in Kasuga City, Fukuoka Prefecture; resides in Oita City. He dedicated himself to soccer from childhood and left his parents' home at 16 to study in Brazil, but at 19, while thinking about his future, he decided to become a painter, wanting a "profession he could continue for life." He began selling his paintings on the street in an underground passage in front of the station on a whim. He gradually gained recognition through various events and exhibitions. In 2014, he provided artwork for the Fuji TV drama "Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon," which became a nationwide sensation. In 2021, he held his first solo museum exhibition, "Naoto Kitamura Exhibition," at the Oita Art Museum, which attracted 28,000 visitors despite COVID-19 restrictions. Since then, he has been active in a wide range of fields, including collaborations with companies, providing artwork for TV dramas, and holding exhibitions. He is currently focusing on social media, with a total of over 500,000 followers (as of September 19, 2025).

Design Images (Front, Rear, Left Side, Right Side images provided)

About Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel: "Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel," a group hotel of ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS, is an overwhelming-scale hot spring resort located in Kankaiji Onsen, one of the Beppu Hatto (eight hot springs of Beppu). It offers views of Mt. Tsurumi and, on clear days, can see as far as the Sada Cape in Shikoku. In addition to our pride, the large panoramic open-air bath "Tanayu" and the open-air bath in the sky "Sorayu," we offer three buffet restaurants where you can enjoy menus carefully selected by our chefs throughout the four seasons. Furthermore, the premises are fully equipped with entertainment facilities such as the all-weather pool "Aqua Beat" (open during summer only), the outdoor hot spring "Aqua Garden," and "SUGINOI BOWL & PARK." In January 2025, we opened the "Hoshikan," the finale of our large-scale renewal, and started as the new Suginoi Hotel. Official Website: https://suginoi.orixhotelsandresorts.com/ Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/beppu_suginoihotel_official/ Official LINE Account: https://page.line.me/?accountId=968pmsgb

About ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS: ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS is the hotel and ryokan operating brand of Orix Hotel Management Corporation. We possess a wide range of categories, from luxury to casual, focusing on both ryokans and hotels. To provide "a place you will want to visit again," we deliver experiences tailored to the various life stages of our guests. We are scheduled to open "CROSS SWEETS TOKYO ASAKUSA" in July 2026, and we operate 15 ryokans and hotels under 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 Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/orix_hotels_and_resorts/