[Maizuru City, Kyoto] Maizuru Goodwill Ambassadors Kohei Munemoto and Yoko Minamino Visit! Children Surprise Them with a Chorus of Their Self-Composed Song "Hiyoh," and Warm Bonds Grow Through Traditional "Heshiko" Making and Rice Planting Over Two Days

Maizuru City is promoting the "Maizuru Goodwill Ambassador Project," collaborating with celebrities connected to the city to widely promote its attractions both inside and outside the city.
This time, the city welcomed music producer and pianist Kohei Munemoto, and singer and actor Yoko Minamino, who serve as the project's first ambassadors, for a two-day warm exchange event with local children and residents on May 25 (Mon) and 26 (Tue), Reiwa 8 (2026).

[Overview]

[Day 1] A first-time initiative! In the historic castle town of Yoshihara district, a grand welcome with children's "Tachiburi" sword dance and their song, followed by "heshiko" making.
On the first day, they visited the Yoshihara district, a former fishing village castle town dating back to the Edo period and the first area in Maizuru to be designated as a traditional buildings preservation district.
This first exchange event was realized thanks to the strong desire of local residents: "We want children to be proud of Yoshihara's history" and "We want the ambassadors to learn about the area's charm and promote it."
When the ambassadors arrived at the gymnasium of Maizuru Municipal Yoshihara Elementary School (26 students total), they were greeted by a united welcome from the school, PTA, and community. The children vigorously performed the traditional performing art "Yoshihara no Tachiburi" (sword dance), and also sang in beautiful harmony the song "Hiyoh -Hiyoh- ~Maizuru, a Town of Reunions~" which the two had co-created and donated to Maizuru City in Reiwa 5 (2023). The ambassadors were deeply moved by the surprise of hearing their own song sung earnestly by the children.
Afterwards, they moved to the home economics room for a traditional food "heshiko" (salted mackerel) making experience. The ambassadors and children worked together cheerfully. On the preparation barrel, the two ambassadors wrote handwritten messages and signatures, such as "Get delicious~!" creating a lively time full of smiles that connected Yoshihara's history and future.

[Day 2] Fifth year of exchange! In the lush Muroji district of Oura, the annual "rice planting" event, covered in mud and smiles.
On the second day, they conducted agricultural exchange in the Muroji district of Oura, which has been ongoing since Reiwa 4 (2022).
This initiative began when the two privately participated in rice farming in Muroji and deepened ties with local residents. Now in its fifth year, it is a long-running project. Together with local residents and children, they share the beauty of rural life and the joy of farming, promoting regional revitalization.
Under clear May skies, guided by Muroji residents, they joined fifth and sixth graders (20 students) from Oura Elementary School in hand-planting and machine rice planting, happily covered in mud.
After the work, they enjoyed award-winning Maizuru tea, rice balls made from local rice, and Manganji sweet peppers, spreading smiles all around.

About the Maizuru Goodwill Ambassadors

This project appoints celebrities with ties to Maizuru City and active in various fields as ambassadors to widely promote Maizuru's charms inside and outside the city, and to develop various projects in collaboration with them. Kohei Munemoto and Yoko Minamino were appointed as the first ambassadors in Reiwa 7 (2025).

Ambassador Profiles

Kohei Munemoto / Music Producer, Pianist
He began his musical journey at age 3 when he encountered classical piano. He prioritizes sound that resonates with artists and audiences, and is active in composition, arrangement, performance, and music direction across many fields.
(Artists he has produced, arranged, or performed with: Chitose Hajime, Momoiro Clover Z, Ikusaburo Yamazaki, Porno Graffitti, Mone Kamishiraishi, Leo Ieiri, among others.)
Yoko Minamino / Singer, Actor
Debuted in 1985. As a singer, she achieved nine Oricon chart number ones with songs like "Haikara-san ga Tooru" and "Toiki de Net." As an actress, she has appeared in numerous hit films and dramas such as "Kantsubaki," "Inochi no Teishaba," "Segodon," and "Hanzawa Naoki." She remains active across a wide range of genres.

Contact Information

Regarding exchanges in Yoshihara:
Maizuru City Education Future Division
Phone: 0773-66-0028 / Fax: 0773-62-9897

Regarding exchanges in Oura:
Maizuru City Citizen Collaboration Promotion Division
Phone: 0773-68-2010 / Fax: 0773-68-2011