DIVE Partners with Saga City for Sustainable Local Development Initiative

DIVE and Saga City Join Forces for Sustainable Development

In an exciting initiative for local development, DIVE, a company based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and recognized for its regional revitalization efforts, has formalized a partnership with Saga City and a local organization known as Minase Mori no Kai. This agreement aims to preserve and utilize the region’s natural resources effectively with a focus on sustainable coexistence between nature and the community.

The Agreement Details

Scheduled for June 23, 2025, the signing ceremony for the “Agreement for Creating Forests that Connect Rich Nature to the Future” will take place at the Saga City Hall, specifically in the second-floor conference room. The event will feature notable attendees, including:

- Heitaro Sakai, Mayor of Saga City
- Kazu Hide Hara, President of Minase Mori no Kai
- Kiyoshi Shoji, President of DIVE

This collaboration emphasizes the development of city-owned forests and the provision of forest-related experiences, which highlight the importance of a balanced cohabitation between humans and trees for sustainable local growth.

About DIVE's Regional Revitalization Efforts

DIVE’s commitment to revitalizing regional areas started in 2019 and has since expanded to include the management of glamping facilities and hotels in six locations across Japan. What sets DIVE apart is their focus on “non-tourist areas,” which are regions not typically featured in mainstream tourism narratives. By partnering with local governments, DIVE aims to convert unused facilities and land in these often-overlooked places into active hospitality venues.

This business model allows DIVE to maintain low operational costs while providing comprehensive services, ranging from planning and development to customer acquisition and management. Through direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategies and collaborations within the tourism HR sector, DIVE is successfully revitalizing local economies while also ensuring operational cost advantages that are unique to the company.

Company Background

DIVE, founded in March 2002, is spearheaded by Kiyoshi Shoji, who has a vision of addressing significant challenges within Japan’s tourism sector. The company is dedicated to resolving the pressing issue of workforce shortages in tourism facilities, creating over 9,320 job opportunities for those involved in the industry annually. Their partnership network spans 4,600 facilities nationwide, involving both Japanese and foreign personnel.

In addition to their local revitalization initiatives, DIVE operates GLAMPICKS, a specialized web media platform for glamping facilities, further extending their reach in the hospitality realm. Their efforts contribute to generating revenue and attracting foreign currency while collaborating with regional businesses to foster sustainable local development.

DIVE stands as a pioneering venture aiming to become a key engine in Japan’s tourism scene, tackling the vital issues of workforce shortages and undiscovered local attractions. With their unique approach to utilizing previously neglected areas, DIVE is making strides in not just sustaining but enhancing the rich natural and cultural tapestry of Japan.