Miyagi's Tomiya City Embraces Furumachi Pay
Tomiya City, located in the central region of Miyagi Prefecture, has taken a significant step towards enhancing local tourism and community engagement by adopting "Furumachi Pay," a localized payment-based hometown tax donation service developed by Value Design, a subsidiary of Peicloud Holdings. This initiative is part of a larger trend as the service has now been adopted by a total of 27 municipalities.
The official launch date for accepting hometown tax donations through Furumachi Pay in Tomiya City is set for March 26, 2026. This innovative service not only simplifies the donation process for visitors but also offers them immediate digital coupons that can be used at local establishments, thereby promoting local businesses and attractions.
The Vision Behind Furumachi Pay
Value Design aims to redefine the concept of thank-you gifts in the hometown tax system, shifting the focus from physical items to experiential offerings. Their mission is to create an accessible donation environment for visitors, thus fostering regional revitalization and encouraging people to engage with the area in a meaningful way.
In collaboration with Tobu Top Tours, which specializes in travel and tourism, Value Design will begin to accelerate the promotion of Furumachi Pay in municipalities across Japan from May 2025. This partnership is expected to further enhance the utilization of the service, bridging the gap between local governments and community engagement.
The Attractions of Tomiya City
Tomiya City is not just known for its good accessibility to the Sendai urban area but is also recognized for its beautiful natural landscapes, rich history, and a commitment to improving living environments. The city aspires to be recognized as the most desirable place to live in Japan and has initiated various programs focused on childcare support and the promotion of local industries.
A representative from Tomiya City expressed enthusiasm about the new service, stating, "Through Furumachi Pay, we hope that visitors will comfortably donate on-the-spot and enjoy experiences using vouchers, bringing them closer to our city's attractions. We expect this will lead to an increase in interactions and visits to our city."
Participating Locations
At the start of this initiative, Furumachi Pay will be available at five local establishments:
The city plans to expand the number of participating stores and attractions slowly, heading towards a more robust and engaging environment for potential donors.
The Future of Community and Tax Donations
Value Design continues to position Furumachi Pay as a significant tool for promoting the unique attractions of various municipalities, ensuring that more visitors are drawn into these communities. As local governments increasingly embrace technological solutions for community engagement, initiatives like Furumachi Pay are proving vital in creating connections between residents, businesses, and visitors.
Miyagi's Tomiya City stands at the forefront of this evolution, utilising modern payment solutions to fortify its community and ensure a brighter, more interactive future for both residents and visitors alike.
For further details on the Furumachi Pay service or Tomiya City, please visit the official
Furumachi Pay website or
Tomiya City website.