Networking Event to Foster Community Revitalization and Tourism in Shinjuku

A Unique Networking Event in Shinjuku: Day 1 of the Community Revitalization and Tourism Practitioners Exchange

On August 31, 2026, Shinjuku will host a groundbreaking event for individuals dedicated to community revitalization, tourism promotion, and public-private partnerships. Organized by the management consulting company, Kenji Araya Co., Ltd., this event, titled "Community Revitalization, Tourism, and Public-Private Partnership Practitioners Exchange - Practitioners Behind the Articles Gather in Shinjuku," aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders involved in these fields.

The Need for Collaboration

Amid the ongoing decline in population and shrinking regional economies, the challenge of reviving communities and boosting tourism to attract visitors has become more critical than ever. It is increasingly important to find solutions through public-private partnerships, transcending traditional barriers between municipalities, DMOs (Destination Management Organizations), and private enterprises. While media articles may summarize good practices and initiatives, opportunities for practitioners to connect and exchange candid insights are quite rare. This event is designed to change that. It creates a platform for beyond-the-article conversations, sharing real-world challenges, and generating fresh ideas and partnerships.

Event Highlights

- Networking Opportunities: The event will bring together practitioners from various regions who are committed to community revitalization and tourism development, creating a vibrant networking atmosphere.
- Panel Discussion: Participants will engage in a panel discussion themed "Solving Community Issues through Business," where genuine case studies from the field will be shared. Topics will include tourism, education, human resource development, public-private collaboration, and utilization of local resources.
- Facilitated Dialogue: During the collaborative exchange session, Kenji Araya, the event's organizing representative, and members from Tokyo Yamagawa DMC will be available to assist in facilitating dialogues among attendees.
- Fieldwork Day 2: The next day, September 1, 2026, a fieldwork opportunity titled “Day 2” will be held at JR Musashi-Fukayichi Station, further enhancing the experiential learning aspect of the event from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Event Details

- Date and Time: August 31, 2026, with doors opening at 7:00 PM, the program commencing at 7:30 PM, and concluding at approximately 9:30 PM.
- Schedule:

19:00 - 19:30: Registration and Networking
19:30 - 19:40: Opening Remarks
19:40 - 20:30: Panel Discussion: “Solving Community Challenges through Business”
20:30 - 21:30: Collaborative Exchange Session

- Venue: Sanbou BAR Shinjuku, located on the 5th floor of Adhoc Shinjuku Building in Tokyo.

Venue Map

- Participation Fee: 5,000 yen (tax included) for general participants; discounted fee of 4,400 yen for members of the Japan DMC Alliance or those enrolled in the Tokyo Yamagawa DMC regional revitalization producer course.
- Capacity: Limited to 40 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Target Audience: This event welcomes municipal employees, DMO and tourism association representatives, tourism entrepreneurs, regional business persons, educational professionals, local revitalization cooperation team members, new business officials from corporations, startup founders, and anyone interested in community revitalization.

Event Organizers

This event is hosted by TMS (Tourism Media Service) in collaboration with Tokyo Yamagawa DMC Co., Ltd. and Sanbou BAR.
TMS is a leading web media platform dedicated to the tourism industry, delivering current news, insights, and articles from over 100 industry experts to connect local governments, local businesses, and the tourism sector, facilitating dialogue between practitioners.

The Tokyo Yamagawa DMC aims to create a revitalization model for Japan’s regions by leveraging the rich history, culture, and nature of the ‘mountain side’ of Tokyo, focusing on adventure tourism and educational experiences.

Sanbou BAR is a community bar that serves as a hub for business leaders to collaborate and share valuable insights across multiple locations within the Tokyo area.

For registration and additional information about the event, please visit Registration Link.