#Japan #Shibuya #Cocona Market #Skill Sharing #User Events

Overview of Cocona's Year-End Gathering 2025

On December 4, 2025, Cocona, a leading platform for professional skills trading in Japan, hosted its annual year-end event, bringing together 140 participants, including Cocona team members and users of the Cocona Skill Market. The theme of this gathering, "Bridging Connections," emphasized the importance of connecting individual skills with societal needs. The event fostered active discussions among users, creating a vibrant atmosphere aimed at facilitating mutual growth and collaboration as they journey into 2026.

Background

With the rapid evolution of technology and significant reforms in work styles, freelancing and side gigs have gained popularity, allowing individuals to capitalize on their skills and experiences. Cocona embodies a vision of creating a society where everyone can live their own story by providing a platform that maximizes individual potential.

Since its inception in 2012, the Cocona Skill Market has emerged as Japan’s largest marketplace for buying and selling skills, featuring over 740 categories and around 1 million distinct services. These range from business to personal projects, reflecting a diverse array of applications.

However, within this thriving community of independent professionals, challenges such as a lack of opportunities for knowledge sharing and feelings of isolation have been identified. The company views user feedback as integral to its evolution, continuously enhancing its offerings based on user insights and wishes for new features.

In light of these challenges, Cocona has regularly organized user-oriented gatherings since the platform's early days to encourage community connections. The year-end event served as the 91st meeting, reflecting on past achievements while looking forward to future goals.

Event Highlights

The theme "Bridging Connections" encapsulated the essence of the day—the gathering was designed not only to connect sellers with buyers but also to encourage sharing of wisdom and experiences among users. The CEO, Ayumu Suzuki, kicked off the event with a presentation, followed by an engaging Q&A session where users posed various questions, from navigating generative AI to the future direction of the service.

In a lively segment, the classic "Cocona Quiz" presented questions ranging from the total number of services offered in the Cocona Skill Market to fun trivia about the company. This segment added an element of excitement and deeper insight into Cocona’s inner workings, much to the delight of attendees.

A standout aspect of the event was the cross-category networking. Participants took the opportunity to mingle not only with familiar faces but also with those from different categories and product development teams within Cocona. Discussions included day-to-day challenges, innovative usage methods, and feedback aimed at enhancing the service—a true exchange of ideas that sets the stage for the market's future.

To foster these connections beyond the event, attendees received original branded chopsticks and cup noodles as thoughtful mementos, symbolizing the intertwining of personal and professional networks as they head into 2026.

Participants' Feedback

Feedback from participants underscored the event's value. Many expressed that it was beneficial to share feelings with peers facing similar situations, igniting a stronger desire to aspire and grow. Attendees resonated with the opportunity to exchange experiences and gain fresh perspectives on Cocona's offerings, making the day truly rewarding.

Looking Ahead

The knowledge and experiences shared at this year’s event are expected to propel Cocona’s platform evolution significantly. The company pledges to continue creating opportunities for collaboration with users, leveraging their voices to foster service growth. With a commitment to building a society where everyone can live their own story, Cocona stands as a bridge connecting personal potential with societal needs.

About Cocona

Cocona is headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, and operates one of Japan's largest skill marketplaces, offering various services from digital content sales to freelance recruitment. The company, listed on the Tokyo Growth Market under code 4176, is committed to empowering individuals by connecting them with opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations.

For further information, visit Cocona's official website.