Karuizawa Regional Revitalization Project 3rd Season - On-site Practical Learning to Solve Social Issues through Student-Professional Collaboration in Karuizawa -

From March 14 to March 16, 2025, GifTs (Glocal Innovator & Future Talent society), the organizer of the project, conducted on-site activities of the "Karuizawa Regional Revitalization Project" in Karuizawa. Students and professionals collaborated to propose solutions to local issues, and they directly communicated with regional residents and stakeholders to understand their perspectives and concerns.

Prior to the fieldwork, participants spent approximately one month on online research and team-building activities. In Karuizawa, they conducted field surveys and interviews with local residents and stakeholders. Students contributed with fresh ideas, and professionals offered logical thinking and solutions grounded in their experience. This collaboration facilitated practical feedback and mutual learning. The diverse backgrounds of the team members created new value while fostering both personal growth and a reevaluation of career paths. For professionals, this experience also served as an opportunity for "unlearning" - reconsidering fixed mindsets. Both students and professionals reported high levels of satisfaction with the experience.

About the Karuizawa Regional Revitalization Project

This hands-on 5 days program, organized by GifTs, allows students and professionals to collaboratively address regional challenges. In the 3rd season, 51 participants were assigned into seven groups, and each group selected and focused on one of four themes: inbound tourism, healthcare, agriculture, and new themes. Day 1 featured lectures and workshops, setting the stage for the project. Between Day 1 and the on-site activities in Karuizawa, each group continued preparations through both offline and online meetings. For more details on Day 1, please refer to the previous press release. Additional information about the program is available on the official GifTs website.

Highlights from On-Site Activities (Day 2–4): Engaging with the Mayor of Karuizawa

Building on their preliminary research, each group conducted on-site interviews and additional research in Karuizawa. The inbound tourism team visited Karuizawa Prince Hotel, the agriculture team explored Karuizawa Garden Farm, and the healthcare teams visited Hotchi-Lodge [in Japanese only] (a facility with a clinic and large kitchen, operated by Medical Corporation Orange). These visits included site tours and interviews, and with the cooperation of many local residents, participants deepened their understanding of Karuizawa. On Day 3, Michio Tsuchiya, Mayor of Karuizawa, delivered a lecture on the town's branding strategies and sustainable development, followed by a discussion session that enriched participants' insights into regional dynamics.

<On-site activity at Yanagisawa Farm (in Japanese only)>

Final Presentations and Awards

A final pitch contest was held on the afternoon of Day 4, and each group presented their proposals for regional revitalization. Judges from Karuizawa Prince Hotel, Karuizawa Garden Farm (President Yokochi), Hotchi-Lodge (Co-Director Fujioka), and Japan Agriculture Inc. (Mr. Okuyama) evaluated the presentations to determine the Grand Prize and Glocal Award. Additionally, all participants voted to select the Audience Award winner. The awards were presented as follows:

Grand Prize: Team D (Healthcare)
Project: "GIFT" – An App for Gifting Health Check-ups Without Regret or Pressure

Glocal Award: Team F (Agriculture)
Project: "FarmLink" – A Platform to Solve Agricultural Labor Shortage in Karuizawa

Audience Award: Team D (Healthcare) and Team G (New Theme)
Team G's Project: “Real-GeoGuessr” – Attracting Generation Z Inbound Tourists

Participant Feedback and Satisfaction

Feedback from the 51 participants (35 students and 16 professionals) indicated high satisfaction levels, with Net Promoter Scores (NPS) exceeding 50 in multiple categories. Participants highlighted that giving their all in the final presentations fostered trust and relationship building among participants. The program's cost (60,000 yen for professionals, 20,000–40,000 yen for students) was deemed worthwhile, with many expressing willingness to recommend the program to others.

Voices of Participants: “An experience that can only be gained here”

Students appreciated the opportunity to communicate with local residents and to gain insights beyond typical tourist experiences, noting the expansion of their perspectives through interactions with motivated peers. Professionals found inspiration in the students' innovative ideas and valued the chance to contemplate the future of the region collaboratively. The cross-generational learning environment of the program was recognized as unique and worth the investment.

Future Outlook

The program's final session, Day 5, is scheduled for April 26, 2025, where each group will reflect on feedback received during the final presentations and assess their activities. For more information about GifTs and the Karuizawa Regional Revitalization Project, please visit the official GifTs website. Companies, university affiliates, and individuals interested in supporting or participating in future initiatives are encouraged to contact us at the email address provided below.

karuizawa.internship@gmail.com

Editors：Satoshi Yamauchi (Lead Editor), Mirai Sakaki (Japanese Editor)