Report on the 2nd CEC Symposium: Students, experts, and companies envision the future of Kyoto | 100 people gathered at the former main building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government Office. New tour...

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On Sunday, June 22, 2025, the 2nd CEC Symposium "Kyoto Room Talk" was held at the Former Main Building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government Office, an Important Cultural Property. This symposium, which students planned and managed over the course of six months, brought together students, experts, and companies to jointly create new possibilities for Kyoto's tourism resources. Approximately 100 people attended the event, which was a great success.

[Event Summary]

Date and time: Sunday, June 22, 2025, 10:00-18:00

Venue: Kyoto Prefectural Government Former Main Building, Former Assembly Hall, Main Hall

Organizer: Lulu Shokai Co., Ltd.

Co-hosted by Kyoto Prefecture, EY Japan, and Kyoto Tourism Academy

Sponsored by: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Kyoto City, a-STATION FM Kyoto

Sponsors: HIS Co., Ltd., Community Bank Kyoshin, Narumi Mochi Honten Co., Ltd.

Cooperation: Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, West Japan Railway Company, Arashiyama MITATE, Matcha Tourism Co., Ltd., Takeno Shuzo

Organized by: Cultural Edu-tourism Council

Subsidy: Kyoto City and Kyoto Convention Bureau

Participation fee: Free

Participation benefits: Original Komaruya Sumii fan, lunch

Number of participants: Approximately 100 people (students, company representatives, local government officials, etc.)

Participation fee: Free (includes original fan and lunch)

<A pitch contest filled with excitement>

Set in Kyoto, eight student teams selected from 13 groups made pitches on the theme of "New forms of tourism resources," and were judged by a panel of 12 experts and corporate judges. The participating teams this time included students from Ritsumeikan University, Ryukoku University, and Fukuchiyama Public University in Kyoto Prefecture, Rikkyo University from Tokyo, and high school students from high schools in Kyoto City. They gave enthusiastic presentations.

The judges listen intently

＜Expanding perspectives and possibilities through talk sessions＞

In the afternoon, three cross-talk sessions were held under the theme of "Connecting Kyoto with the World! Cross-talk between Students and Experts." Students acted as moderators and engaged in lively discussions with experts.

① Rediscovering Japanese culture through studying abroad

Moderator: Koto Yamaoka (Kyoto Prefectural University)

Speakers: Masae Shinjo (CEO of Matcha Tourism Co., Ltd.), Tatnawar Id (Chartered Group)

② The artistic perspective, a living city.

Moderator: Takumi Kishimura (Doshisha University)

Speakers: Naotake Maeda (Chief Curator of the Hiroshima International Architecture Festival, Professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design), Ms. Asamiko Kawasaki (NTT Urban Solutions, Inc.)

3) Consider regional revitalization from diverse perspectives

Moderator: Miu Takeuchi (Doshisha University)

Speakers: Tomotaka Hirabayashi (Strategic Impact Partner, EY Strategy & Consulting Co., Ltd.), Yoshiki Yukimachi (Toji, Takeno Shuzo Co., Ltd.)

As this was an opportunity to meet experts whom they would not normally have the opportunity to meet, many questions were asked from the audience, leading to a lively cross-talk session involving the entire venue.

<A special experience of Kyoto culture that stimulates all five senses>

In addition to the program, we also provided a cultural experience of Kyoto where you can "see, touch, and taste."

Lunch support (Arashiyama MITATE)

Tea picking experience (in cooperation with Matcha Tourism)

Yukata dressing experience

Original fan made by Komaruya Sumii (Komaruya Sumii)

Offering of Japanese sweets (Narumi Mochi Main Store)

Sake provided by Takeno Sake Brewery

Participants were offered the opportunity to try on a yukata, creating an event that was more than just a lecture or social gathering; it was an event where participants could experience kimono culture and the atmosphere of summer. By participating in the event wearing a yukata, participants were able to experience Kyoto's traditional charm up close. Participants commented that they were able to experience Kyoto with all five senses. By incorporating Kyoto's cultural resources as experiential content, the event aimed to promote culture from a new perspective.

The Grand Prix went to Ryukoku University's "Kabutto Kameoka"

At the second competition, the Ryukoku University "Kabutto Kameoka" team won the grand prize. Their innovative approach of experiential tourism using traditional Kyoto ingredients was highly praised, and experts praised their idea for reducing food waste, encouraging local consumption, and promoting food education. The content of their project focused on ingredients unique to Kyoto, and offered a fermentation and pickling experience using local Kameoka vegetables. They presented their idea in a workshop that could be enjoyed by both children and adults.

The EY Japan Most Innovative Award was awarded to the "Sugioka Seminar, 3rd year students at Fukuchiyama Public University." Their presentation, "Question Tourism," was highly praised for its original concept and heartfelt experience design. It was a highly anticipated presentation that enhanced the touch points on social issues such as promoting relocation and regional development, and more clearly expressed their enthusiasm for Ayabe City, raising the level of completion of the project.

The Kyoto Attraction Discovery! Award was awarded to Miyu Iwakura of Kyoto University of Advanced Science High School. Ms. Iwakura has a desire to convey the charm of the tea culture of Wazuka Town, Uji City to young people, and presented a well-balanced idea based on an analysis of the current situation. In particular, her presentation conveyed her passion for connecting experience-based content such as "sencha tea", "tea ceremony experience", and "tea tours" and traditional culture to the next generation.

The team "Land of the Sea" from Ritsumeikan University was awarded the Environmental and Sustainability Award by Community Bank Kyoshin Award.

"Land of the Sea" was highly evaluated for its careful construction of the attractions of the Tango region, centered on Yosano Town, a town at the base of the Tango Peninsula in Kyoto Prefecture, based on the concept of a local-oriented cycling tour from the perspective of student guides. Furthermore, the judges expressed their expectations that the enhanced profitability, uniqueness, and wide-area reach would make it a viable business model.

All of the presentations had the potential to become new tourism models that combine student perspectives with local resources, and we are excited to see how they will develop in the future.

[Award Results]

CEC Award (Grand Prize): Kabutto Kameoka (Ryukoku University)

EY Japan Most Innovative Award: Sugioka Seminar, 3rd year students at Fukuchiyama Public University (Fukuchiyama Public University)

Kyoto Attraction Discovery! Award: Miyu Iwakura (Kyoto University of Advanced Science High School)

Environmental and Sustainability Award: Land and Sea (Ritsumeikan University)

CEC Co-Creation Award (Special Award): CEC Management Members

▼Speakers (8 groups):

① Idobata Talk (Saikyo High School, Rakuhoku High School)

② Tadahiro Okamoto (Rikkyo University)

3. Land of the Sea (Ritsumeikan University)

④ Miyu Iwakura (Kyoto University of Advanced Science High School)

⑤ Kyoto Hotel Tourism and Bridal College

⑥ Keina Nishida (Kyoto Koka High School)

⑦ Fukuchiyama Public University, 3rd year student, Sugioka Seminar (Fukuchiyama Public University)

8. Kabutto Kameoka (Ryukoku University)

▼Judges (12 people):

・Noriaki Adachi (Community Bank Keishin Corporate Growth Promotion Department)

・Michiru Ishima (Proprietress of Genmyoan)

・Hironori Imaoka (Director of Regional Coexistence, West Japan Railway Company)

・ Keiko Sumii (10th generation proprietress of Komaruya Sumii)

・Tetsu Takahira (Kansai Corporate Business Division, HIS Corporation)

・Rikiya Narumi (Director of Narumi Mochi Honten Co., Ltd.)

・Tomotaka Hirabayashi (Strategic Impact Partner, EY Strategy & Consulting Co., Ltd.)

- Naotake Maeda (Chief Curator of the Hiroshima International Architecture Festival, Professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design)

・Tomoko Yano (Kyoto Living Newspaper)

・Mr. Akimasa Yamashita (Kyoto Prefectural Counselor)

・Yamauchi Seisuke (former president of Nintendo Hong Kong)

・Mari Yoshitaka (Representative Director of Virtue Design General Incorporated Association)

▼Mentor

- Yoshihisa Kato (EY Japan Director, Head of Corporate Planning LTV Division)

▼Comments from students who participated in the pitch contest:

・The experience of coming together to discuss the issue many times and coming together to overcome the challenge gave shape to the award, which gave us a great sense of confidence.

・After listening to the presentations from other schools, I realized that there are still many tourist spots and attractions in Kyoto Prefecture that I didn't know about.

・Participating in this event gave me the opportunity to build a network with the judges and professionals from various fields, which was very meaningful.

<Closing>

The event closed with a performance of "Shukugen Shimai Takasago" by Noh performer Kawamura Haruhisa, showcasing a fusion of tradition and the future that is unique to Kyoto.

Mr. Akimasa Yamashita, Special Advisor to Kyoto Prefecture (former Vice Governor), gave a closing speech and an overall review.

▼ Symposium Management CEC Team

Ryoma Nishimura, Secretary General (Doshisha University)

Takumi Kishimura, Deputy Secretary General and Crosstalk Moderator (Doshisha University)

Koto Yamaoka Crosstalk Moderator (Kyoto Prefectural University)

Miu Takeuchi Crosstalk Moderator (Doshisha University)

Himena Kagawa, Public Relations (Doshisha University)

Misato Tarui, Title creator (Kyoto Sangyo University)

▼ The venue on the day

CEC Membership Information

The Cultural Edutourism Council (CEC) promotes high-value-added cultural tourism that connects students with local communities and businesses, with the aim of "shifting tourism from just seeing to tourism that learns and has fun." We have established a membership system for corporations that support and endorse this activity. As per the annual membership fee, we offer benefits such as invitations to CEC-sponsored events and opportunities to interact with students.

Learn more

Main activities

We are a for-profit organization whose goal is to provide high-value, educational travel experiences to foreign tourists interested in Japanese culture and history.

We train multilingual guides and plan and operate tours and cultural experiences that introduce local cultural heritage, traditional performing arts, food culture, and more.

By working with artisans and Noh performers, we aim to promote exchanges with tourists and contribute to building mutual understanding and friendly relations. We aim to promote the appeal of Japan to the world and increase the appeal of Kyoto Prefecture in the international community. By carrying out the above activities in a practical manner together with students and exchange students, we aim to develop and introduce human resources who will be active in society.