Bringing Kyoto's Crafts to the World – Kyoto Shinkin Bank and Sumu Host First Showcase of the Kyoto Craft Acceleration Program

Community Bank Kyoshin (corporate name: Kyoto Shinkin Bank, head office: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Chairman: Takayuki Sakakida) held the成果発表会 for the first cohort of the Kyoto Craft Acceleration Program 'Sumu Craft Lab KYOTO 2026' on April 17, 2026, in collaboration with Sumu Inc., ADDReC Inc. (both headquartered in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, representative: Daiga Fukushima), and SECAI Inc. (headquartered in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, CEO: Takahira Matsuura).

About 'Sumu Craft Lab KYOTO 2026'

Launched in August 2025, this program is a joint initiative between Sumu, ADDReC, SECAI, and Community Bank Kyoshin, centered at the bank's co-creation facility 'QUESTION'.

The program's goal is to develop and implement products for guest rooms and shared spaces within 'Sumu', an apartment hotel brand expanding across multiple locations, starting with 'Sumu Ueno East' in Taito-ku, Tokyo, which opened in February 2026.

Under the theme 'Bringing Kyoto's traditional craft techniques into modern hotel experiences', the initiative connects products created by Kyoto's traditional craft and industrial enterprises to Tokyo and, ultimately, the global market.

■ About Sumu

Sumu is an apartment hotel brand conceptualized as 'a hotel experimenting with new forms of travel', delivering value beyond accommodation.

It also functions as an open innovation platform, co-creating new possibilities with corporations, local governments, and creators, while redefining the boundaries between tourism and daily life.

▶ Official Sumu Website

The orientation session in August 2025 attracted 65 local businesses through outreach from QUESTION and the bank's branches.

After document screening and interviews, eight selected enterprises spent approximately six months (three months for selection, three months for product development) developing products intended for implementation in Sumu properties.

■ Participating Businesses

・Daito Netsugu Kogyo Co., Ltd.

・Kazari Kanagu Takeuchi (Takeuchi Co., Ltd.)

・Nakauri Orimono Co., Ltd.

・Team Kokokiyoshi (COCOO LLC & Sato Kiyomatsu Shoten Co., Ltd.)

・Kinpaku Oshiyama Co., Ltd.

・Ishisho Ishikawa Sekizai

・Kiyohara Orimono Co., Ltd.

・Tate Tsunagi LLC

The project initially launched as 'QUESTION QUEST', with the orientation held at the co-creation facility QUESTION.

About the成果発表会

Held on April 17, 2026, at SHIBUYA QWS (Shibuya Q's), the成果発表会 showcased the products developed over the six-month program.

Additionally, a panel discussion themed 'Project Design Connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, Local and Global' and a matchmaking business meeting with participating enterprises were conducted.

On the following day, April 18, a hands-on workshop on crafting 'kazari kanagu' (ornamental metal fittings) was held at Sumu Ueno East, led by Takeuchi Co., Ltd., one of the selected enterprises.

Date

April 17, 2026 (Friday) 12:30–15:00

Venue

SHIBUYA QWS (Shibuya Q's)

Organizers

Co-organizers

Organized by: Sumu Inc., ADDReC Inc.

Co-organized by: Community Bank Kyoshin, SECAI Inc.

Program

Content

【Project Introduction & Panel Discussion】

① Introduction to the Sumu Project

② Introduction to the Kyoto Craft Acceleration Program

③ Panel Discussion: 'Project Design Connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, Local and Global'

＜Panelists＞

・Daiga Fukushima, Representative Director, CEO of Sumu Inc. / ADDReC Inc., and Sumu Producer

・Kaneto Hayakawa, Community Bank Kyoshin (Kyoto Shinkin Bank)

・Tomoki Mimura, Director and Vice President, SECAI Inc.

・Yukako Konishi, Representative, sow Inc. / Seijaku Inc., and Sumu Director

・(Guest Speaker) Is亮 Tominaga, Producer / CEO, Whatever Co.

④ Matchmaking Business Meeting

Hayakawa of the bank, who stated, 'Supporting traditional crafts and industries from multiple angles is the true role of a shinkin bank' (second from left)

A vibrant business meeting featuring products that blend tradition and innovation

Future of the Program and Kyoshin's Role

Viewing this成果発表会 as a milestone, the program will now enter a phase of integrating the developed products into Sumu properties.

As Sumu expands to more locations, these products will gain greater global visibility, potentially boosting sales for the participating enterprises.

This program began at 'QUESTION', a co-creation facility designed to 'solve questions'.

'What is needed for traditional crafts to continue evolving?'

'How can Kyoto's lesser-known charms reach a wider global audience?'

'What are the ways to connect tradition with modern lifestyles?'

The 'questions' surrounding traditional crafts and regional industries are endless.

Community Bank Kyoshin will continue to support local businesses through diverse initiatives, including product development and market expansion, going beyond traditional financial services.

Comments from Organizers

Daiga Fukushima, Sumu Inc. / ADDReC Inc.

'The motivation behind Sumu's involvement in this acceleration program is the belief that a hotel should be more than just a place to stay—it should serve as a platform connecting local craftsmanship with travelers. While Kyoto's traditional crafts possess world-class value, the pathways to deliver them to a wider audience remain underdeveloped. We are encouraged to be building these pathways together with Mr. Hayakawa from Kyoshin and Mr. Mimura from SECAI through Sumu's experimental space.'

Tomoki Mimura, SECAI Inc.

'Having lived in Kyoto for 10 years and worked closely with craft enterprises, I've observed a gap between the quality of their products and their ability to communicate that value. Creating excellent products and delivering them to the right audience require different skill sets. Japan still holds the belief that “if you make a good product, it will sell,” but I believe many outstanding products remain undiscovered. SECAI aims to act as a bridge between craft enterprises and the market, working with Kyoshin to elevate both Kyoto and Sumu.'

Kaneto Hayakawa, Community Bank Kyoshin

'While craft enterprises excel in craftsmanship, many are not accustomed to how to effectively present their work. We found great significance in collaborating to refine each product into a compelling proposal. Moving forward, we will continue to promote the appeal of traditional crafts to the world through Sumu, exploring new models of regional revitalization that go beyond the boundaries of finance.'