Yokote Kizuna Project Announces Exhibition Venue for 'Yukinko Kizuna 1P Manga Contest' Winning Entries at Ao-na Starting August 15! Special Exhibition to be Celebrated with 'Entertainment Career Experience Workshop'!

◆ Special exhibition of winning entries confirmed at 'Ao-na' from August 15 to August 31.

The highly anticipated multipurpose facility 'Ao-na,' located at the east exit of JR Yokote Station, features a library designed to foster community interaction and regional vibrancy. It has been confirmed that winning entries from the nationwide 'Yukinko Kizuna 1P Manga Contest,' submitted by creators and fans across Japan, will be specially exhibited in its open public space.

The exhibition will showcase a diverse range of creative works that blend the charm of the newly launched official character 'Yukinko Kizuna' with Yokote's rich local culture.

The special exhibition will be open to the public free of charge from August 15 to August 31.

◆ 'Entertainment Career Experience Workshop' to be held! August 15 at Ao-na, August 16 at LiSH AKITA.

Special website URL: https://yokote-kizuna-project.com/

The Yokote Kizuna Project Executive Committee, which aims to merge traditional culture with cutting-edge creativity in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture under the concept of 'Entertainment × Creators × Regional Culture,' announces the upcoming 'Entertainment Career Experience Workshop: VTuber Edition.' The event will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 'Ao-na,' the vibrant hub at the east exit of JR Yokote Station, and on Sunday, August 16, at 'LiSH AKITA,' Akita City's creative hub.

▼ Highlights from previous events

◆ Background of the Event

According to the 'White Paper on Elementary School Students 2025' (November 2025 survey) by Gakken Educational Research Institute, the top career aspiration among today's elementary school students is 'online content creator (YouTuber, etc.),' with 'manga artist/illustrator' ranking fifth among girls.

However, due to the emerging nature of these professions, there remains a lack of opportunities and environments for parents and children to learn together about the mindset required to work professionally, as well as specific business etiquette and digital literacy.

This project aims to provide internet-native children with a safe and enjoyable way to experience internet culture, offering real-life career experiences that introduce internet entertainers and creators as viable future career paths.

Source: Gakken Educational Research Institute, White Paper on Elementary School Students Web Edition (November 2025 survey)

https://www.gakken.jp/kyouikusouken/whitepaper/202511/index.html

◆ Event Overview and Program Details

【Day 1: Yokote Venue】August 15, 2026 (Sat) 'Entertainment Career Experience Workshop: VTuber Edition in Yokote'

※ Schedule subject to change without notice.

Venue

Studio NEMATTE, 1st Floor, Ao-na (Yokote City, Akita Prefecture) 1-minute walk from the east exit of JR Yokote Station

Time

10:00 – 18:00 (varies by program)

Participation Fee

Hands-on session: 500 JPY (covers equipment rental and original postcard production) Auditing/observation: Free

Hands-on Session Capacity

Approx. 10 participants per session; targeted at elementary school students and parent-child pairs

※ Accompanying adults permitted; auditing and observation are free

Main Activities

※ Tentative

Entertainment Career Experience Workshop: VTuber Edition [3-session format]

・Session 1 (10:00–12:00): For elementary students and families

・Session 2 (13:00–15:00): For middle and high school students

・Session 3 (16:00–18:00): For adults and general public

The event will also feature a special exhibition of winning entries from the ongoing 'Yukinko Kizuna 1P Manga Contest' and announcements regarding the 2027 Yokote Snow Festival.

【Day 2: Akita Venue】August 16, 2026 (Sun) 'Entertainment Career Experience Workshop: VTuber Edition in LiSH AKITA'

※ Schedule subject to change without notice.

Venue

LiSH AKITA (Akita City, Akita Prefecture), B1 floor of Arusu Station Building, directly connected to JR Akita Station

Time

10:00 – 16:00 (tentative)

Capacity

Hands-on session: 500 JPY (covers equipment rental and original postcard production) Auditing/observation: Free

Hands-on Session Capacity

Approx. 10 participants per session; targeted at elementary school students and parent-child pairs

※ Accompanying adults permitted; auditing and observation are free

Main Activities

A spin-off of the 'Entertainment Career Experience Workshop' held in Yokote will be hosted in Akita City.

Additionally, a 'Manga Artist Experience Workshop' and contest submission promotion workshops—unique to a creative hub—will be held simultaneously.

◆ Curriculum of the 'Entertainment Career Experience Workshop: VTuber Edition'

Professional staff from Activ8 Inc. and university student assistants will serve as instructors, guiding participants through foundational creative skills using professional equipment and applications.

Lecture (Yokote venue only)

Introduction to VTuber and creator careers, the roles of collaborating illustrators, video producers, and composers, IT literacy, intellectual property rights, and online etiquette

Practical Session 1 Avatar Creation

Using the 'VRoid Studio' app to create a personalized 3D character

Practical Session 2 Streaming Experience

Simulated VTuber streaming experience using motion capture via camera and streaming software

Practical Session 3 Merchandise Creation

※ Paid, optional

Participants can create and take home one-of-a-kind original merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, microfiber cloths, etc.) featuring their created avatar.

※ Prices vary depending on the item selected

◆ Introduction to the Featured Venues

The event will be held at two cutting-edge cultural hubs in Akita Prefecture, symbolizing the project's mission of 'fusing regional culture with modern creativity.'

【Yokote Venue】Yokote Station East Exit New Community Hub 'Ao-na'

Ao-na is a multipurpose facility at the east exit of JR Yokote Station, featuring a library designed to foster community exchange and local vibrancy. With its welcoming open spaces and Studio 'NEMATTE' on the first floor—where this event will be held—it is emerging as a leading-edge communication hub, bringing fresh energy to Yokote's traditional cityscape.

【Akita Venue】New Business Innovation Hub 'LiSH AKITA'

Located directly connected to Akita Station, LiSH AKITA supports entrepreneurs and students aiming to solve regional challenges.

Centered around an open co-working space, it serves as a dynamic hub where students, companies, and startups across Akita Prefecture regularly interact, strongly driving the creation and dissemination of digital creative content.

It also supports corporate collaboration and student entrepreneurship through partnerships with universities and technical colleges.

As a leading-edge innovation hub, it is gaining attention for fostering new ideas and business creation, contributing to the revitalization of the Akita region.

◆ Partner Events

【Yokote Venue】Subculture Festival 'Yokote Subculture Fest' planned throughout the day on August 15

As part of the Obon festival, events including a 'Subculture DJ Party' and '#YokoteMachiKos (cosplay event)' are being planned. For details and updates, check Yokote Subculture Fest (@yokote_s_fes) / Posts / X!

About the Character 'Yukinko Kizuna'

Yukinko Kizuna

A new character born from a collaboration between Yokote's Snow Festival and #kzn-chan.

Selected as the Grand Prize winner from numerous entries in a design contest, 'Yukinko Kizuna'—inspired by snowflakes and snow huts (kamakura)—was illustrated by renowned illustrator Icomochi.

#kzn

A singing-focused AI '#kzn' born from the voice of Kizuna AI, who entered an indefinite hiatus in February 2022 to prepare for an update, aiming to connect with more people around the world. #kzn-chan acts as a hub connecting creators, fans, and technology, supporting Kizuna AI's mission of 'wanting to connect with everyone, with you.'

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIChannel

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kizunaai0630

X: https://x.com/aichan_nel

HP: https://kizunaai.com/

Music streaming platforms: https://lnk.to/kizunaai_top

Icomochi / Icomochi

Formerly an illustrator at a game company, now working as a freelance artist. Notable recent works include 'FUWAMOCO (Hololive EN),' 'Himuro Sena (Blue Archive),' and the 'Hatsune Miku Figurine Series Sporty.' In 2024, held solo exhibitions 'Icomochi Exhibition ~CHIFFON~' in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and 'CandyBlue' at Hankyu Department Store in Osaka, actively pursuing individual creative activities.

HP: https://icomochi.com/

X: https://x.com/rswxx

About the Yokote Kizuna Project

Yokote Kizuna Project Executive Committee (in no particular order): Yokote City Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association), foriio Inc., Activ8 Inc.

A creator-collaborative entertainment and regional revitalization project launched in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, under the concept of 'Entertainment × Creators × Regional Culture.' Centered around the original character 'Yukinko Kizuna,' the project collaborates with creators to transform local charm into entertainment content, promoting Yokote's appeal domestically and internationally through content tourism—the practice of visiting locations featured in stories.

X: https://x.com/ykt_kzn_prj

IG: https://www.instagram.com/yokote.kizuna/

About foriio Inc.

foriio Inc. is a company dedicated to the mission of 'empowering individual creators,' developing and operating 'foriio,' a portfolio platform for creators. To expand opportunities for creators, the company runs diverse initiatives, offering 'foriio for Business' to enterprises, providing 'creative consulting' and 'talent support.' Committed to the vision of 'creating an era where creators thrive globally,' foriio deepens corporate partnerships to solve various challenges. Website: https://foriio.com Business page: https://foriio.com/business

Company Information

Address: INBOUND LEAGUE 501, 5-15-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Representative: CEO Hirohito Yamada Established: December 15, 2017 Business Activities: Operation of creator portfolio service 'foriio'; consulting and production services using design and other creative solutions for corporate challenges related to management, business, organization, and marketing Press inquiries: press@foriio.com

General project inquiries

Yokote City Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)

Contact: Executive Director Nobuyuki Takemata

TEL: 0182-33-7111

E-mail: yokote@yokotekamakura.com