'Try-kun' Becomes a Bus and Runs Through Higashiosaka!
Osaka Bus is introducing a wrapped bus featuring Higashiosaka City's mascot 'Try-kun.' It will be unveiled at the 'Higashiosaka Citizen Fureai Festival' on May 10, 2026, and then begin operations within the city. This initiative aims to promote the charm of Higashiosaka, encourage the use of public transportation, and support route maintenance.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 02:02
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The Higashiosaka Tourist Association is pleased to announce that Osaka Bus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashiosaka City), a member operator, will introduce a new wrapped bus featuring Higashiosaka City's mascot character 'Try-kun.'
This vehicle will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the opening parade of the '47th Higashiosaka Citizen Fureai Festival' to be held on Sunday, May 10, Reiwa 8 (2026), and then displayed at the Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza.
After that, it is scheduled to begin operating on routes within Higashiosaka City in the near future, promoting the charm of Higashiosaka through daily commutes.
■ Try-kun running through the city: a new 'moving tourism PR'
This wrapped bus is being introduced by Osaka Bus Co., Ltd. with the aim of promoting the charm of Higashiosaka City and creating a friendly image for public transportation, utilizing Try-kun, who is widely popular among citizens.
Try-kun, holding a rugby ball, is prominently depicted on the bus body, making for an impressive design for both citizens and visitors.
By running through Higashiosaka City, it is expected to create enjoyment and familiarity in the everyday landscape, and also foster a sense of attachment to the city.
(Reference) Image of 'Try-kun' wrapped bus (Image provided by Osaka Bus Co., Ltd.)
■ Contributing to the promotion of public transport use and route maintenance within the city
Through the operation of this wrapped bus, Osaka Bus Co., Ltd. aims to make buses feel more accessible to a wider range of people and encourage their use.
Buses are an important means of transport in the region and a social infrastructure that supports daily life. An increase in users will also lead to the maintenance and securing of routes, so this initiative is expected to contribute to an increase in the momentum for using public transport within the city.
■ Unveiled at the Higashiosaka Citizen Fureai Festival (Sunday, May 10)
This wrapped bus will appear at the opening parade of the '47th Higashiosaka Citizen Fureai Festival,' the largest event in Higashiosaka City, held on Sunday, May 10. After the parade, it will be displayed at the Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza (in front of 'Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line and 'JR Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the JR Osaka Higashi Line).
On the day, it can be enjoyed as a photo spot, providing an opportunity for many visitors to experience the charm of Try-kun and Higashiosaka.
*Please note that the appearance in the opening parade and the exhibition at Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza are both plans, and the content may be subject to sudden change.
■ Stakeholder Comments
Nobuyoshi Nishimura, President, Osaka Bus Co., Ltd.
"I would be delighted if the bus featuring Try-kun running through Higashiosaka City brings a sense of familiarity to many people, from children to adults. I hope it becomes a presence that makes people smile during their daily commutes. We will continue to strive for public transportation that is loved by the people of the region."
Higashiosaka City Mascot Character 'Try-kun'
"I'll be running through Higashiosaka as a wrapped bus! I'd be happy if more people felt closer to buses. Please use it and enjoy the charm of Higashiosaka!"
■ Future Developments
After the exhibition, it is scheduled to begin operating on routes within Higashiosaka City (Fuse Tokuan Line).
In addition to attracting tourists, it is highly anticipated to contribute to the region in terms of promoting the charm of Higashiosaka and encouraging the use of public transportation, serving as a 'moving symbol' that accompanies the daily lives of citizens.
■ Overview
Name: Try-kun Wrapped Bus
Exhibition Date: Sunday, May 10, Reiwa 8 (2026)
Exhibition Location: Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza (in front of 'Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line, and 'JR Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the JR Osaka Higashi Line)
Operation Start: Mid-May, Reiwa 8 (2026) (planned)
Operating Area: Higashiosaka City routes (scheduled to be introduced on the Fuse Tokuan Line)
■ About Higashiosaka Tourist Association
【What is the Higashiosaka Tourist Association (formerly Higashiosaka Tourism Promotion Organization)?】
As a DMO (Destination Management/Marketing Organization) registered with the Japan Tourism Agency, it is engaged in new tourism town development that can only be experienced in Higashiosaka, focusing on its three greatest attractions: 'monozukuri (manufacturing),' 'rugby (sports),' and 'culture/downtown.' Its activities range widely from sports tourism as a sports commission to location support for films like 'Kokuho' and 'Hana Manma' and the NHK morning drama 'Maiagare!' as a film commission.
Through its new visitor attraction promotion 'Takopa Tabi Higashiosaka,' it promotes the charm of meeting powerful people in a city excellent in time-performance and cost-performance.
The official Higashiosaka tourism information website 'Pika tto Higashiosaka' provides abundant restaurant information and event information for Higashiosaka City, as well as a variety of experience programs and walking maps for visitors to Higashiosaka to enjoy.
Also, the 'Higashiosaka Tourism Information [Official]' Instagram provides the latest information on gourmet features and more.
This vehicle will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the opening parade of the '47th Higashiosaka Citizen Fureai Festival' to be held on Sunday, May 10, Reiwa 8 (2026), and then displayed at the Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza.
After that, it is scheduled to begin operating on routes within Higashiosaka City in the near future, promoting the charm of Higashiosaka through daily commutes.
■ Try-kun running through the city: a new 'moving tourism PR'
This wrapped bus is being introduced by Osaka Bus Co., Ltd. with the aim of promoting the charm of Higashiosaka City and creating a friendly image for public transportation, utilizing Try-kun, who is widely popular among citizens.
Try-kun, holding a rugby ball, is prominently depicted on the bus body, making for an impressive design for both citizens and visitors.
By running through Higashiosaka City, it is expected to create enjoyment and familiarity in the everyday landscape, and also foster a sense of attachment to the city.
(Reference) Image of 'Try-kun' wrapped bus (Image provided by Osaka Bus Co., Ltd.)
■ Contributing to the promotion of public transport use and route maintenance within the city
Through the operation of this wrapped bus, Osaka Bus Co., Ltd. aims to make buses feel more accessible to a wider range of people and encourage their use.
Buses are an important means of transport in the region and a social infrastructure that supports daily life. An increase in users will also lead to the maintenance and securing of routes, so this initiative is expected to contribute to an increase in the momentum for using public transport within the city.
■ Unveiled at the Higashiosaka Citizen Fureai Festival (Sunday, May 10)
This wrapped bus will appear at the opening parade of the '47th Higashiosaka Citizen Fureai Festival,' the largest event in Higashiosaka City, held on Sunday, May 10. After the parade, it will be displayed at the Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza (in front of 'Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line and 'JR Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the JR Osaka Higashi Line).
On the day, it can be enjoyed as a photo spot, providing an opportunity for many visitors to experience the charm of Try-kun and Higashiosaka.
*Please note that the appearance in the opening parade and the exhibition at Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza are both plans, and the content may be subject to sudden change.
■ Stakeholder Comments
Nobuyoshi Nishimura, President, Osaka Bus Co., Ltd.
"I would be delighted if the bus featuring Try-kun running through Higashiosaka City brings a sense of familiarity to many people, from children to adults. I hope it becomes a presence that makes people smile during their daily commutes. We will continue to strive for public transportation that is loved by the people of the region."
Higashiosaka City Mascot Character 'Try-kun'
"I'll be running through Higashiosaka as a wrapped bus! I'd be happy if more people felt closer to buses. Please use it and enjoy the charm of Higashiosaka!"
■ Future Developments
After the exhibition, it is scheduled to begin operating on routes within Higashiosaka City (Fuse Tokuan Line).
In addition to attracting tourists, it is highly anticipated to contribute to the region in terms of promoting the charm of Higashiosaka and encouraging the use of public transportation, serving as a 'moving symbol' that accompanies the daily lives of citizens.
■ Overview
Name: Try-kun Wrapped Bus
Exhibition Date: Sunday, May 10, Reiwa 8 (2026)
Exhibition Location: Eiwa Station Front Traffic Plaza (in front of 'Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line, and 'JR Kawachi-Eiwa' Station on the JR Osaka Higashi Line)
Operation Start: Mid-May, Reiwa 8 (2026) (planned)
Operating Area: Higashiosaka City routes (scheduled to be introduced on the Fuse Tokuan Line)
■ About Higashiosaka Tourist Association
【What is the Higashiosaka Tourist Association (formerly Higashiosaka Tourism Promotion Organization)?】
As a DMO (Destination Management/Marketing Organization) registered with the Japan Tourism Agency, it is engaged in new tourism town development that can only be experienced in Higashiosaka, focusing on its three greatest attractions: 'monozukuri (manufacturing),' 'rugby (sports),' and 'culture/downtown.' Its activities range widely from sports tourism as a sports commission to location support for films like 'Kokuho' and 'Hana Manma' and the NHK morning drama 'Maiagare!' as a film commission.
Through its new visitor attraction promotion 'Takopa Tabi Higashiosaka,' it promotes the charm of meeting powerful people in a city excellent in time-performance and cost-performance.
The official Higashiosaka tourism information website 'Pika tto Higashiosaka' provides abundant restaurant information and event information for Higashiosaka City, as well as a variety of experience programs and walking maps for visitors to Higashiosaka to enjoy.
Also, the 'Higashiosaka Tourism Information [Official]' Instagram provides the latest information on gourmet features and more.