tourism

Together with Masamitsu Katsu, a 15-year resident of Beppu, visit the most compelling art spots of the day including exhibitions, talk events, outdoor artworks, and the residencies of overseas artists. Feel the dynamism of the art community, meet artists in their studios, and experience an intimate exchange that is not possible in museums and galleries.

At the end of the tour, you will be able to purchase a unique selection of Beppu-made artwork and goods that are not found in other stores.

Participants will later receive a postcard (copy) of a pencil sketch drawn by Masamitsu Katsu himself. (The scene is different from the one given in the “Beppu Town Walk with Artist Masamitsu Katsu (2 hours)” tour.)

Tokyo Destiny Land is a solo show actor, born in 1975. As a child, they attended school in Tokyo, worked regular jobs, and were without hobbies until the age of 20. After seeing a theater group advertisement in the dating magazine, “Jamaru”, they decided to join. It was the first time that Tokyo Destiny Land took off their glasses, and after being called “handsome”, their soul was ignited. Since then, Tokyo Destiny Land has been traveling throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, as an actor. They are amazed to have finally found themself in Beppu.

Tomoe Higashi is a Japanese painter who graduated from a Fine Arts MFA program in the historic city of Bath, England. Through many layers of colors and motifs, she expresses her experiences and feelings through her paintings. Tomoe’s works of art emit an aura that attracts many a viewer’s eye, but it is only the artist herself who knows their true messages.

Noritaka Munehisa is a kiriko (glass-cutting) artist born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1988. After graduating from glass art school, he studied traditional Japanese glass-cutting techniques in Kagoshima and Saitama prefectures. While using traditional techniques, he seeks to create new and unconventional expressions of glass through his work.

Influenced by her grandmother, On learned to create items she wanted from a young age. Designing the clothes she wore, fashion became a way of expressing her identity. After graduating from college, On pursued a full-fledged career in fashion. In 2012, she set up a workshop and store in the corner of Beppu’s North Elevated Shopping Street (Kita Kouka Shotengai) where she continues her creative activities today.

The guide’s own work will be introduced at the Suehiro Onsen Community Center, where he is the head of the association.

This is an art space under the elevated railway tracks of Beppu Station, run by Naoyuki Hata. Utilizing vacant stores in the shopping arcade, the exhibition sometimes extends into neighboring spaces. As of December 2023, Art Space Genjitsu is only open on the fourth Monday of each month.