#Japan #Nagano #SHIBUYA QWS #Travel HUB

Summary of the Event: Nagano City's Travel Hub Collaboration with SHIBUYA QWS

On June 5, 2026, Nagano City and the collaborative facility SHIBUYA QWS organized a groundbreaking event titled "FEEL NAGANO in QWS - Travel Edition". The goal was to shift the perception of Nagano from merely a travel stop to a destination for extended stays, gathering around 30 participants, including professionals from the tourism sector, creators, students, and locals connected to Nagano.

Background: Exploring the Potential of the Travel HUB in Nagano City

Nagano City boasts a robust transportation network, allowing visitors to reach major attractions within one hour. At the forefront of this initiative is the Travel HUB Nagano City, which opened last winter, designed to cater to travelers seeking a comprehensive range of services including luggage storage, travel information, and booking options. This project was selected as one of the Nagano Smart City Commission demonstration projects for the 2025 fiscal year, aiming to support a new business model. Since its inception in 2019, QWS has fostered various ideas that generate social value through the intersection of diverse individuals.

In this event, the synergy between Nagano's potent access network and the inquiries posed by QWS participants aimed to create innovative travel models that could boost the local economy.

Part 1: Input Session – The Current Status of the Travel HUB Nagano City

The first part featured a presentation by Kotarou Hayashi, CEO of Field Design, who led the establishment of the Travel HUB Nagano City. He shared insights on the rationale behind creating this hub, detailing how it provides an integrated service for luggage storage and tour sales. He also suggested future opportunities for expanding this concept as a travel base.

Part 2: Idea Workshop – What Does Travel Based on a “Hub” Look Like?

In the second part, the focus shifted to brainstorming practical travel ideas stemming from the Travel HUB Nagano City. Participants eagerly engaged in sharing and discussing innovative concepts.

Examples of Ideas Generated:

• - Multilingual Support: Implementing a system that provides various local insights in Japanese, English, and multiple other languages, enhancing the visitor experience with richer, contextual information.
• - Local-Centric Initiatives: Exploring schemes that not only target inbound or tourist visitors but also engage local residents, finding creative ways to foster connections with the community.
• - Travel Matchmaking App: Developing a platform to connect travelers with locals. This could allow visitors to build friendships, creating a more casual and engaging travel atmosphere compared to traditional guide services.
• - Business-Friendly Campaigns: Designing incentives that encourage extended stays for business travelers, promoting campaigns appealing to those who might wish to explore the area after professional engagements.

The ideas generated during this event will be assessed for practical implementation within the Travel HUB Nagano City moving forward.

Networking Overview

Participants had the opportunity to network, exchanging thoughts and making valuable connections that could lead to collaborative initiatives surrounding travel in Nagano city.

Guest Comments

Kotarou Hayashi, CEO of Field Design stated, "The event at QWS provided invaluable perspectives and ideas that we could never have conceived alone. The Travel HUB Nagano City is not only about enhancing convenience for visitors but also holds vast potential to connect people, businesses, and the community. Moving forward, we aim to create new value by leveraging our location at Nagano Station while fostering collaborations with diverse organizations."

QWS Stakeholder Insights

Shintaro Ise, Director of SHIBUYA QWS commented, "At QWS, our mission is to cultivate social value through diverse events that resonate with communities. We are increasingly becoming a platform for municipalities like Nagano City to address local challenges and create new opportunities. We hope that this event sparks new social value creation."

About Nagano City

Located in northern Nagano Prefecture, Nagano City is a core city with about 360,000 residents. It flourished as the gateway to Zenkoji Temple and is rich in natural beauty and historical resources. The city strives to enhance its vibrancy and will continue to develop collaborations with individuals and organizations looking to innovate in various fields. Official Website: Nagano City

About SHIBUYA QWS

SHIBUYA QWS is a collaborative space that aims to produce ideas and new businesses that lead to social value through the convergence and interaction of various people. Since its opening in November 2019, QWS has supported over 470 startups and projects, providing unique programs geared towards creating new societal value. For organizations and municipalities seeking collaborative opportunities, getting involved with QWS has proved to be beneficial. Official Website: SHIBUYA QWS

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Additional Information

SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE

• - Name: SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE
• - Business Entities: Tokyu Corporation, East Japan Railway Company, Tokyo Metro Company
• - Location: 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
• - Operating Company: SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE Co., Ltd.
• - Opening Year: Phase 1 (East Tower) opened on November 1, 2019; Phase 2 (Central and West Towers) expected to complete in 2031.
• - URL: SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE