"Even 50 Summers from Now, in This Very Place." Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture, Launches Government Crowdfunding to Preserve Traditional "Omyojin Summer Festival"
Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture, has launched government crowdfunding to preserve its traditional "Omyojin Summer Festival" and hold a fireworks display. Future Link Network, aiming for regional revitalization, supports the initiative, offering message fireworks and local specialties to donors.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 14:13 (41 min after Collected)
Future Link Network Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, Representative Director: Takeharu Ishii, hereinafter FLN), which advocates regional revitalization as its vision, as part of its Furusato Nozei consignment work for Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture, has begun supporting the government crowdfunding (hereinafter GCF) project titled "Our Hometown Feelings Adorn the Summer Night Sky. Let's Launch Message Fireworks to Protect Tradition and Support the Future!" The project aims to preserve the traditional "Omyojin Summer Festival" and hold a fireworks display, a cherished event in the town.
■ Background of the Project
The "Omyojin Summer Festival," held annually on August 16th during Obon (Festival of the Dead) in the Omyojin area of Shizukuishi Town, is an irreplaceable traditional event for the community, rooted in the "Funekko Nagashi" (boat floating ceremony) which began shortly after the war to console the souls of the war dead.
This festival, which honors the spirits of ancestors and prays for the health and safety of residents, has been cherished as a symbol of "community bonds" where people of all generations gather during the homecoming season to celebrate reunions.
However, the environment surrounding the region has become increasingly severe in recent years due to population decline, a shortage of organizers, and difficulty securing operating funds due to soaring prices.
This scene, which has been preserved by the residents themselves, is now facing a crisis of existence. "Even 50 years, 500 years into the future, we want this to be a place where we can reunite."
With this strong desire, the town decided to challenge this GCF project as a new mechanism to involve many people inside and outside the town as "festival organizers."
■ Project Overview
This project aims not only to raise funds but also to form "new bonds" with people outside the region through donations.
As a return gift, "Message Fireworks" are offered, allowing the donor's feelings to take shape.
Project Name: Our Hometown Feelings Adorn the Summer Night Sky. Let's Launch Message Fireworks to Protect Tradition and Support the Future!
Application Period: April 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026 (91 days)
Target Amount: 1,000,000 yen
Use of Funds: Costs for launching message fireworks, venue setup and operation expenses for the festival.
Project URL: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/5180
Return Gift: "Message Fireworks" - Messages such as "Cheers to our hometown" or "Thanks to loved ones" entrusted by donors will be announced within the venue on the day of the festival. Immediately after, large fireworks will color the night sky. This provides a special experience where even from a distance, one's feelings become a part of the festival.
*Other local specialties of the town can also be chosen.
■ About Furusato Nozei in Shizukuishi Town
Shizukuishi Town, located in the central part of Iwate Prefecture, is blessed with abundant nature overlooking the magnificent Mt. Iwate, and its agriculture and tourism industries are thriving.
For Furusato Nozei, it offers a wide range of proud local products, including "Ginga no Shizuku" (rice) which received the Prime Minister's Award, local craft beer "Bairen Beer," and high-end mechanical watches from "Seiko" which has a workshop in the town.
Donation Acceptance Window
URL
Furusato Choice
https://www.furusato-tax.jp/city/product/03301/15
Rakuten Furusato Nozei
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/f033014-shizukuishi/
ANA Furusato Nozei
https://furusato.ana.co.jp/donation/top/03301/
Also available on 21 other sites.
*Applications for this GCF project can only be made through "Furusato Choice."
■ About FLN's Furusato Nozei Support
FLN utilizes its expertise in operating the community-based information platform "MyPure" to support Furusato Nozei operations for local governments nationwide. It emphasizes not only maximizing donation amounts but also creating mechanisms that directly lead to solving regional issues such as promoting local industries, city promotion, and, as in this case, resolving regional challenges. FLN, local governments, and local businesses will work together as a tripartite entity to support the revitalization of a sustainable regional economy.
■ Background of the Project
The "Omyojin Summer Festival," held annually on August 16th during Obon (Festival of the Dead) in the Omyojin area of Shizukuishi Town, is an irreplaceable traditional event for the community, rooted in the "Funekko Nagashi" (boat floating ceremony) which began shortly after the war to console the souls of the war dead.
This festival, which honors the spirits of ancestors and prays for the health and safety of residents, has been cherished as a symbol of "community bonds" where people of all generations gather during the homecoming season to celebrate reunions.
However, the environment surrounding the region has become increasingly severe in recent years due to population decline, a shortage of organizers, and difficulty securing operating funds due to soaring prices.
This scene, which has been preserved by the residents themselves, is now facing a crisis of existence. "Even 50 years, 500 years into the future, we want this to be a place where we can reunite."
With this strong desire, the town decided to challenge this GCF project as a new mechanism to involve many people inside and outside the town as "festival organizers."
■ Project Overview
This project aims not only to raise funds but also to form "new bonds" with people outside the region through donations.
As a return gift, "Message Fireworks" are offered, allowing the donor's feelings to take shape.
Project Name: Our Hometown Feelings Adorn the Summer Night Sky. Let's Launch Message Fireworks to Protect Tradition and Support the Future!
Application Period: April 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026 (91 days)
Target Amount: 1,000,000 yen
Use of Funds: Costs for launching message fireworks, venue setup and operation expenses for the festival.
Project URL: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/5180
Return Gift: "Message Fireworks" - Messages such as "Cheers to our hometown" or "Thanks to loved ones" entrusted by donors will be announced within the venue on the day of the festival. Immediately after, large fireworks will color the night sky. This provides a special experience where even from a distance, one's feelings become a part of the festival.
*Other local specialties of the town can also be chosen.
■ About Furusato Nozei in Shizukuishi Town
Shizukuishi Town, located in the central part of Iwate Prefecture, is blessed with abundant nature overlooking the magnificent Mt. Iwate, and its agriculture and tourism industries are thriving.
For Furusato Nozei, it offers a wide range of proud local products, including "Ginga no Shizuku" (rice) which received the Prime Minister's Award, local craft beer "Bairen Beer," and high-end mechanical watches from "Seiko" which has a workshop in the town.
Donation Acceptance Window
URL
Furusato Choice
https://www.furusato-tax.jp/city/product/03301/15
Rakuten Furusato Nozei
https://www.rakuten.co.jp/f033014-shizukuishi/
ANA Furusato Nozei
https://furusato.ana.co.jp/donation/top/03301/
Also available on 21 other sites.
*Applications for this GCF project can only be made through "Furusato Choice."
■ About FLN's Furusato Nozei Support
FLN utilizes its expertise in operating the community-based information platform "MyPure" to support Furusato Nozei operations for local governments nationwide. It emphasizes not only maximizing donation amounts but also creating mechanisms that directly lead to solving regional issues such as promoting local industries, city promotion, and, as in this case, resolving regional challenges. FLN, local governments, and local businesses will work together as a tripartite entity to support the revitalization of a sustainable regional economy.