Hope & Wish to Host First 'Wish Vacation' in Karuizawa, Nagano, Offering Authentic Sports Experiences to Children with Intractable Diseases and Their Families Amidst Fresh Greenery
Public Interest Incorporated Association Hope & Wish will hold its first 'Wish Vacation' in Karuizawa, Nagano, from May 15-17, 2026, for children with intractable diseases and their families. This initiative, realized with continuous support from Kaname Nagayama of OBI HOLDINGS Group, collaborates with the Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026 to provide unique sports experiences led by top athletes.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 22:00
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Public Interest Incorporated Association Hope & Wish (Representative Director: Riki Osumi, Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter Hope & Wish) will hold its first 'Wish Vacation' for children with intractable diseases and their families in Karuizawa, Nagano, for three days and two nights from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, 2026.
This vacation is implemented as a collaborative project with the 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026' (May 17, Venue: Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park), organized by NPO SC Karuizawa Club (Karuizawa Children's Future Fund) and the Children's Sports Culture Support Foundation.
The realization of this event was made possible by the continuous support of Mr. Kaname Nagayama (OBI HOLDINGS PTE LTD), Representative of OBI HOLDINGS Group and advisor to our organization.
*All photos are from last year.
Last year, we were invited to the Sports Festival, not the Wish Vacation.
■ What is a Wish Vacation?
A Wish Vacation is a core program of Hope & Wish that provides special, fully free travel experiences to children with intractable diseases and their families. These vacations, which have been held in various locations such as Tokyo Asakusa, Kyoto, Okinawa, Maiko, and Hokkaido, will be realized for the first time in Karuizawa.
What Hope & Wish values is a relationship of 'cheering on' rather than 'support.' We believe that instead of viewing families with intractable diseases as recipients of aid, we learn from their earnest way of living—and the Wish Vacation is designed as a place for mutual growth.
■ Overview of this Vacation
Period: May 15 (Fri) - 17 (Sun), 2026, 2 nights and 3 days
Venue: Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture and surrounding areas (Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park, etc.)
Participants: 3 families of children with intractable diseases
Collaboration: Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026 (Organizers: NPO SC Karuizawa Club / Children's Sports Culture Support Foundation)
■ 3-Day Program (Planned)
Day 1 (May 15, Fri): Arrive in Karuizawa. Welcome party in the evening to deepen exchanges.
Day 2 (May 16, Sat): Strawberry picking experience amidst Karuizawa's nature. In the evening, participate in the 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026' social gathering.
Day 3 (May 17, Sun): Participate in the 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026' main program. Top Japanese athletes will directly coach sports classes in baseball, soccer, wrestling, tennis, snaggolf, and curling. The program concludes in the morning, and each family returns home.
*The content and order of the above program may change.
■ About 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026'
The Karuizawa Sports Festival is an event organized by NPO SC Karuizawa Club (Karuizawa Children's Future Fund) and the Children's Sports Culture Support Foundation, with the concept of 'Opportunities for all children to experience sports and culture.'
This year marks its third edition since its inception in 2024. This year, former and active professional athletes representing various sports will gather in Karuizawa, including Shingo Kunieda (wheelchair tennis), Homare Sawa (soccer), Eri Tosaka and Sara Dosho (wrestling), and Hisashi Iwakuma (baseball).
■ Hope & Wish's Journey with Kaname Nagayama and the Karuizawa Sports Festival
Mr. Kaname Nagayama, Representative of OBI HOLDINGS Group, has continuously supported Hope & Wish since 2018. He also serves as an advisor to our organization.
With the desire for children with intractable diseases and their families to 'never feel alone and to live joyful daily lives, regardless of their circumstances,' he has continued to be involved in various ways, not limited to financial support, but also by creating opportunities for interaction with professional athletes.
This is the second collaboration with the Karuizawa Sports Festival. Following last year, it has been realized for the first time this year in the form of a Wish Vacation.
Spending 'authentic time' with families with intractable diseases, born from interaction with athletes—this accumulation is at the core of this collaboration.
■ Comment from Representative Director Riki Osumi
I am sincerely looking forward to the first Wish Vacation in Karuizawa.
Top athletes like Mr. Kunieda and Ms. Sawa will gather in Karuizawa. And families with intractable diseases, living earnestly, will join them. I am deeply grateful that such a meeting place can be realized with Mr. Nagayama's support.
I am confident that the experience of children with intractable diseases sharing the same time and space with Japan's top athletes will be unforgettable for everyone involved.
Hope & Wish will continue to expand places where earnest people can meet and cheer each other on, across various regions.
■ Organization Overview
Organization Name: Public Interest Incorporated Association
This vacation is implemented as a collaborative project with the 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026' (May 17, Venue: Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park), organized by NPO SC Karuizawa Club (Karuizawa Children's Future Fund) and the Children's Sports Culture Support Foundation.
The realization of this event was made possible by the continuous support of Mr. Kaname Nagayama (OBI HOLDINGS PTE LTD), Representative of OBI HOLDINGS Group and advisor to our organization.
*All photos are from last year.
Last year, we were invited to the Sports Festival, not the Wish Vacation.
■ What is a Wish Vacation?
A Wish Vacation is a core program of Hope & Wish that provides special, fully free travel experiences to children with intractable diseases and their families. These vacations, which have been held in various locations such as Tokyo Asakusa, Kyoto, Okinawa, Maiko, and Hokkaido, will be realized for the first time in Karuizawa.
What Hope & Wish values is a relationship of 'cheering on' rather than 'support.' We believe that instead of viewing families with intractable diseases as recipients of aid, we learn from their earnest way of living—and the Wish Vacation is designed as a place for mutual growth.
■ Overview of this Vacation
Period: May 15 (Fri) - 17 (Sun), 2026, 2 nights and 3 days
Venue: Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture and surrounding areas (Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park, etc.)
Participants: 3 families of children with intractable diseases
Collaboration: Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026 (Organizers: NPO SC Karuizawa Club / Children's Sports Culture Support Foundation)
■ 3-Day Program (Planned)
Day 1 (May 15, Fri): Arrive in Karuizawa. Welcome party in the evening to deepen exchanges.
Day 2 (May 16, Sat): Strawberry picking experience amidst Karuizawa's nature. In the evening, participate in the 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026' social gathering.
Day 3 (May 17, Sun): Participate in the 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026' main program. Top Japanese athletes will directly coach sports classes in baseball, soccer, wrestling, tennis, snaggolf, and curling. The program concludes in the morning, and each family returns home.
*The content and order of the above program may change.
■ About 'Karuizawa Sports Festival 2026'
The Karuizawa Sports Festival is an event organized by NPO SC Karuizawa Club (Karuizawa Children's Future Fund) and the Children's Sports Culture Support Foundation, with the concept of 'Opportunities for all children to experience sports and culture.'
This year marks its third edition since its inception in 2024. This year, former and active professional athletes representing various sports will gather in Karuizawa, including Shingo Kunieda (wheelchair tennis), Homare Sawa (soccer), Eri Tosaka and Sara Dosho (wrestling), and Hisashi Iwakuma (baseball).
■ Hope & Wish's Journey with Kaname Nagayama and the Karuizawa Sports Festival
Mr. Kaname Nagayama, Representative of OBI HOLDINGS Group, has continuously supported Hope & Wish since 2018. He also serves as an advisor to our organization.
With the desire for children with intractable diseases and their families to 'never feel alone and to live joyful daily lives, regardless of their circumstances,' he has continued to be involved in various ways, not limited to financial support, but also by creating opportunities for interaction with professional athletes.
This is the second collaboration with the Karuizawa Sports Festival. Following last year, it has been realized for the first time this year in the form of a Wish Vacation.
Spending 'authentic time' with families with intractable diseases, born from interaction with athletes—this accumulation is at the core of this collaboration.
■ Comment from Representative Director Riki Osumi
I am sincerely looking forward to the first Wish Vacation in Karuizawa.
Top athletes like Mr. Kunieda and Ms. Sawa will gather in Karuizawa. And families with intractable diseases, living earnestly, will join them. I am deeply grateful that such a meeting place can be realized with Mr. Nagayama's support.
I am confident that the experience of children with intractable diseases sharing the same time and space with Japan's top athletes will be unforgettable for everyone involved.
Hope & Wish will continue to expand places where earnest people can meet and cheer each other on, across various regions.
■ Organization Overview
Organization Name: Public Interest Incorporated Association