#Japan #Community Event #Setagaya #Youga Festival #NPO Neomura

Youga Summer Festival 2025: Celebrating Two Decades of Community Spirit

The Youga Summer Festival 2025, organized by the Youga Summer Festival Executive Committee (NPO Neomura), is set to take place on August 23rd and 24th. This year's festival marks a significant milestone — its 20th anniversary. The festival has evolved from being primarily student-led to becoming a vibrant community-driven event that brings together diverse age groups, from young children to seniors. This evolution showcases a unique model of intergenerational connectivity in a bustling urban environment, addressing social issues related to community bonding.

Bridging Generations Through Collaboration

The festival has become a platform for fostering relationships among local residents and bridging gaps between generations. Over the years, the festival has cultivated a rich environment where everyone, including students and elders, actively engages and connects with one another. Here's why the festival thrives:

1. Collaboration and Co-creation

From its inception, local businesses and residents welcomed students, allowing them to collaborate on various events. This warmth and willingness to work together have built trust within the community.

2. Diverse Opportunities for Engagement

In addition to the main festival, the community offers various ways for residents to connect, including monthly clean-up activities, community gardening initiatives, and friendship events. Such activities have nurtured “visible relationships” and the joy of shared accomplishments.

This year’s festival aims to deepen these connections and transform into a new model of community celebration, where the entire town comes together to create something special.

This Year’s Theme: “Youga Blend”

The theme for this year’s festival is “Youga Blend – Let’s Mix with the Town.” With a rich history of student organization since 2005, the festival aims to shift its focus this year towards community-driven management. After a challenging few years impacted by the pandemic, the festival has blossomed, drawing as many as 15,000 participants.

This year's organizing committee consists of 74 members, spanning a wide age range from teenagers to those in their 70s. Nearly half of the committee members reside in Youga, while 30% are university students involved in off-campus activities within the community. This diverse representation encourages collaboration across generations and backgrounds, allowing everyone to participate actively in the festival’s organization.

The term “Blend” emphasizes the involvement of local residents in taking ownership of the festival, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity. It signifies a commitment to transforming “someone else's town” into “our town.”

Event Details

• - Dates: August 23 (Saturday) - 24 (Sunday)
• - Rain or Shine: The event will go ahead unless severe weather occurs.
• - Time: 15:00 - 20:30
• - Venue: Kusunoki Park, near Youga Station North Exit, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
• - Hosted by: NPO Neomura
• - Supported by: Youga Shopping District Promotion Association
• - Contact: Public Relations [email protected]
• - Website: Youga Summer Festival Website

Three Unique Blends for the Festival

1. Intergenerational Blend with Special Shaved Ice
This year introduces a signature shaved ice that combines homemade marmalade from a local resident in her 70s with suggestions from younger committee members. The innovative use of AI for cost calculations showcases a delightful melding of traditional skills and modern technology.

2. Community Blend with Kids' Artwork
Collaborating with children from the local community center, the festival features a ‘fishing’ booth where the kids design the fish used in the event. This initiative promotes cooperation between all age groups, allowing them to contribute creatively.

3. Local Talent Blend
Local professionals provide invaluable expertise, from social media strategy to creative design, empowering the community by sharing their knowledge and experience. This collaborative atmosphere fosters organic creativity.

Support and Participation Opportunities

The festival relies entirely on donations and sponsorship to operate, starting from scratch each year. Community and corporate support is crucial for its success, allowing funds to be allocated towards essential costs such as stage setup, equipment, and various festival operations.

You can contribute by becoming a festival sponsor, and your name will be acknowledged in the festival's promotional materials.

Moreover, volunteers are continually welcomed to join in the fun! Roles vary from food service to event support, and anyone with a passion for community engagement is encouraged to participate.

A Message from the Organizer

As we celebrate 20 years of the Youga Summer Festival, we reflect on our journey from a student-driven initiative to a fully-fledged community event. This anniversary marks our transition to operating with a community-first approach. We look forward to promoting collective creativity and shared experiences in the local area.

Join us in making this year’s festival a vibrant embodiment of the Youga spirit!

Let’s create a festival for everyone, together!

NPO Neomura President, Yu Arai