Kikigaki Koshien Executive Committee calls for municipalities (regions) to cooperate in hosting the 26th Kikigaki Koshien in FY2027 by accepting high school students and recommending 'Meijin' (masters)

The Kikigaki Koshien Executive Committee (comprised of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, etc.) is soliciting applications from municipalities (regions) to cooperate in hosting the 26th Kikigaki Koshien (FY2027).

"Kikigaki Koshien" is an activity where high school students from across Japan visit "Meijin" (masters) of forests, rivers, and seas, and record and disseminate their wisdom, skills, and ways of life. Since FY2019, we have been openly recruiting municipalities (regions) nationwide to cooperate in recommending masters and accepting high school students, creating opportunities to connect agricultural, mountain, and fishing villages with younger generations.

To prepare for the FY2027 event, we are soliciting applications from municipalities (regions) that will cooperate in recommending "Meijin" for high school students to conduct "Kikigaki" interviews and in accepting high school students.

This initiative is expected to have the following effects:

* Inheritance of regional culture and wisdom
* Nurturing the next generation through interaction with youth
* Creating dynamic local populations by increasing interest in the region
* Creating opportunities for migration and settlement by promoting regional attractions

It has been utilized by many local governments to date.

Would you like to recommend "Meijin" and accept high school students in your region?

Application period: Friday, May 8, 2026 – Friday, September 4, 2026, 5 PM

* This open call targets municipalities (regions), and a requirement is to recommend "Meijin" who will be subjects of "Kikigaki" interviews. Regional organizations (local self-governing bodies, citizen activity groups, business cooperatives, etc.) can apply through a municipality, and multiple municipalities can apply jointly.

* As a result of this open call, selected municipalities (regions) will be asked to recommend "Meijin" by the end of January 2027.

* "Kikigaki" interviews by high school students will be conducted around September 2027. Travel expenses for high school students will be covered by the Executive Committee.

* For details, please visit the "Kikigaki Koshien" website: https://www.kikigaki.net/join

How to Apply

Please submit the application form (Form 1) and the regional overview description (Form 2) specified in the "26th Kikigaki Koshien Cooperating Municipality (Region) Application Guidelines" by email to the Kikigaki Koshien Executive Committee Secretariat.

The forms can be downloaded from the "Kikigaki Koshien" webpage (URL: https://www.kikigaki.net/join).

[Organizers] (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries / Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology / Ministry of the Environment / National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization / NPO Earth Greenification Center)

[Fundraising Cooperation / Corporate Donations] FamilyMart Co., Ltd.

[Sponsorship / Cooperation] Hitotsubashi Literary Education Promotion Foundation / Fujifilm Holdings Corporation / Keio Corporation / Tiemco Co., Ltd. / Benesse Corporation

[Support] Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications / National Governors' Association / National Mayors' Association / National Association of Towns and Villages / National Mountain Village Promotion Federation / Japan Federation of Depopulated Areas / NPO "The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan" Union

■ What is "Kikigaki Koshien"?

"Kikigaki Koshien" is an initiative where high school students nationwide visit "Meijin" (masters) of forests, rivers, and seas to "Kikigaki" (record) their wisdom, skills, and spirit, and then document and disseminate them. Each year, cooperating municipalities (regions) selected through an open call assist in recommending and accepting masters, and high school students visit masters in each region one-on-one for interviews. The completed works are compiled into a collection of writings.

■ What is "Kikigaki"?

"Kikigaki" is fundamentally one-on-one communication. High school students record all conversations with the "Meijin," transcribe every word, and compile it into a text that preserves the master's speaking style. Through Kikigaki, high school students embrace the master's life and thoughts, learning a great deal from them. This experience has led some graduates to become involved in Satoyama/Satoumi conservation and community development.

Furthermore, Kikigaki is an activity that connects wisdom and hearts across generations. It is highly valued as a case study for career education and ESD (Education for Sustainable Development).

■ About This Year's Host Regions

This year, the 25th Kikigaki Koshien is being implemented with the cooperation of the following 12 regions:

[Reference] 25th (FY2026) Kikigaki Koshien Implementation Regions

Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture / Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture / Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture / Yasaka Village, Nagano Prefecture / Toyone Village, Aichi Prefecture / Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture / Kagamino Town, Okayama Prefecture / Bitchu Region, Okayama Prefecture / Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture / Hita City, Oita Prefecture (Chikugo River upstream area) / Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture / Kunigami Village, Okinawa Prefecture

■ Who are the "Meijin" of forests, rivers, and seas recommended by municipalities (regions)?

They are individuals generally aged 50 or older who have been engaged for many years in work related to nature in their region, such as forestry, fisheries, and crafts, and have inherited the wisdom, skills, and spirit from their predecessors.

《Examples of occupations》

1) Work related to forests

Foresters, charcoal makers, hunters, wild vegetable pickers, log shiitake mushroom growers, lacquer tappers, medicinal herb gatherers, beekeepers, etc.

2) Work related to rivers and seas

Fishermen, ama divers, oyster cultivators, boat builders, fishing gear makers, etc.

3) Work related to the inheritance of traditional living culture

Shrine/temple carpenters, thatched roof artisans, bucket/barrel makers, wood turners, lacquerware artisans, paper makers, bamboo artisans, plant dyers, traditional blacksmiths, traditional farming methods, fermented food production (miso, koji), etc.
*For details, please refer to the website.