Report on the 'Dream Career Live' Held with Marika Tazawa, CEO of KURABITO STAY

In May 2026, ID Gakuen High School, a wide-area correspondence high school operated by Ikubunkan Dream Gakuen, hosted a 'Dream Career Live' event featuring Marika Tazawa, CEO of KURABITO STAY. The lecture, themed 'Tourism and Regional Revitalization,' provided concrete advice on her career as an entrepreneur and how to work in the tourism industry. Over 100 students, including those participating online, attended the lecture and deepened their understanding of careers in the tourism sector.

■ Speaker Profile
Name: Marika Tazawa (CEO of KURABITO STAY)
After working for a major travel agency, she moved to a wine importing company. Later, after being a full-time housewife, she joined the 'Community Revitalization Volunteers' in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture. Winning the Grand Prix at 'Everyone's Dream AWARD 9' led her to become an entrepreneur. In 2020, she opened 'KURABITO STAY,' the world's first Kurabito (sake brewer) experience facility. In 2025, she won the top prize, the 'Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award,' at the Japan Tourism Awards.

■ Connection between Ms. Tazawa and ID Gakuen
ID Gakuen focuses on 'Dream Education,' promoting an environment where each student can cultivate their dreams from what they 'like' or 'excel at' and challenge themselves toward their goals. Ms. Tazawa was invited as a guest lecturer because she started her business after winning the Grand Prix at the 'Everyone's Dream AWARD 9,' organized by the public interest incorporated foundation 'Everyone's Dream Foundation,' of which the school's board chairman, Miki Watanabe, is the representative director.

■ Opening Students' Future with 'Dream Career Live'
ID Gakuen hosts 'Dream Career Live' every month to broaden students' career choices. During the lecture, Ms. Tazawa gave advice on the qualities required in the tourism industry and how to build a career. She shared tips as a senior in life, such as 'Take action until you succeed,' 'It doesn't have to be perfect,' and 'Have the courage to take a rest.' She concluded with the powerful message, 'Life is very short, be nice!'

■ Future Activities
Through this lecture, students learned not only about the profession but also the 'attitude of continuing to take on challenges.' The second 'Dream Career Live' is scheduled to be held at the Akihabara Campus on June 15, featuring midwife Shiho Ito.