Why do people stay in an 'ordinary' shopping district in Osaka? Manga artist Katsuki Tanaka walks the streets he hasn't visited in 40 years

Qujila Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nakazaki 2-5-18, Kita-ku, Osaka, Representative: Koichi Yano), known for its renovation business and the 'SEKAI HOTEL' brand—which treats an entire shopping district as a hotel—has released special articles by manga artist Katsuki Tanaka to celebrate 10,000 stays at 'SEKAI HOTEL Osaka Fuse.'

Katsuki Tanaka, a native of Higashiosaka, Osaka, is the creator of 'Sa-Do' and 'Fuchiko on the Cup.' As the first installment of SEKAI HOTEL's 'Welcome Home' project, he visited the town of Fuse, where he spent his childhood, for the first time in about 40 years.

The series features nine special articles documenting Fuse's shopping streets, public baths (sento), and electric baths from his own perspective. Rather than sightseeing, the project visualizes the SEKAI HOTEL experience—immersing oneself in local daily life—through the lens of a manga artist's 'homecoming after 40 years.'

This project is more than just a promotional campaign featuring a celebrity. Fuse is where Tanaka's childhood memories were formed and his sensibilities as a manga artist were nurtured. His works, such as 'Sa-Do' (focusing on the physical sensation of 'sauna-induced bliss') and 'Fuchiko on the Cup' (focusing on the humor in mundane landscapes), highlight the charm found in ordinary life.

This artistic perspective aligns with the philosophy of SEKAI HOTEL. The brand focuses on helping guests find travel purpose in the ordinary lives of towns that are not typical tourist destinations. The concept of the project is to have someone with personal memories of Fuse walk the streets as an adult. By re-exploring the familiar, landscapes are reimagined as travel destinations.

The articles cover Fuse's daily life that doesn't appear in guidebooks. Topics include memories of the town that shaped his career, experiences at the Ebisu-yu bathhouse, and soaking in electric baths. It records his journey of rediscovering the town through his own physical experiences.

The project underscores a 're-editing' of the town. While the town itself hasn't changed, the way it is viewed has. This is the same transformation SEKAI HOTEL aims to provide travelers—moving from consuming sights to immersing in daily life, turning ordinary scenery into the purpose of the trip. The visit highlights the value of traveling through a town with personal memories rather than tourist attractions.

SEKAI HOTEL does not contain the guest experience within the hotel walls. It collaborates with local restaurants, sento, and cafes, turning the entire neighborhood into a hotel. After checking in, guests walk through shopping streets, interact with locals, and immerse themselves in the rhythm of the town. 'SEKAI HOTEL Osaka Fuse' has achieved 10,000 stays by providing this unique experience.

The '10,000 dives into the Ordinary' project commemorates this milestone by reflecting on how guests have engaged with Fuse. Katsuki Tanaka's series is the first of the 'Welcome Home' project. The company plans to continue sharing the value of towns that are not tourist attractions through the eyes of those who have memories or ties to Fuse.