Why the Next Generation Gathers at a Small Gift Shop in Mejiro.

ThreaF, a gift and present shop based in the Mejiro area of Toshima Ward, Tokyo (https://threaf.com/), will welcome students for corporate visits as part of a junior high school's curriculum trip on June 11 and 18, 2026. The program is planned and mediated by Muse Inc. (Ideatips), a company that supports career learning based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's career education guidelines. For the June 2026 sessions alone, junior high school students from 25 schools across diverse regions including Hyogo, Miyagi, Shiga, Aichi, Okayama, and Ibaraki are scheduled to participate, indicating a nationwide trend of selecting "local independent stores" as learning environments. ThreaF is a small gift shop with only a few employees. It is neither a large corporation nor a famous tourist attraction. Nevertheless, it was chosen by schools as a destination for visits. The reason lies in the fundamental answer to the challenges facing modern career education. ① Pioneering the "Independent Store x Career Education" Collaboration Model It is believed that cases where small local retail stores, rather than large corporations or administrative facilities, are selected as official "visit destinations" for school trips and work experience programs are still rare nationwide. In the program mediated by Muse Inc., ThreaF is positioned as a pioneering acceptance case for the "retail and gift industry." Through this acceptance, ThreaF demonstrates the potential that "even without being a famous company, a job that allows one to share their passion can become a learning ground for the next generation." ② Responding to Social Issues Indicated by MEXT Guidelines from a Local Perspective Current career education is concerned about a shortage of receiving entities, making it necessary to expand visit destinations beyond large corporations to diverse local businesses. The career education promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology requires "diverse work experiences in the real world." However, receiving institutions tend to be concentrated in large corporations and public organizations, with little involvement from "independent local stores." ThreaF becoming a pioneering acceptance case as a small retail store aligns with Toshima Ward's policy of "Community Coexistence and Town Development" and SDG Goal 4 "Quality Education," and is considered an initiative that can serve as a starting point for collaboration with administrative bodies and local organizations. ③ Why a "Shop That Sells Gifts" is Chosen by Schools Choosing a product, wrapping it, and giving it to someone all involve a process of "thinking of others." Through gifts, students will learn about "what work is" and "what it means to connect with people" from a completely different angle than textbooks. While the gift shop industry might seem unexpected as an "educational venue" at first glance, the act of "choosing for someone else" overlaps with the essence of all work. What ThreaF conveys to students is not just customer service or product knowledge, but the meaning of "choosing with consideration for others." This perspective offers an experience that touches the core of working, which is difficult to obtain through school education. ■ Four Themes Students Will Experience and Learn Social Significance and Existence of Local Stores Experience firsthand how "having a store" serves as a hub for the local community, supporting residents' lives and connections. Work and Professional Views Unique to Gift Shops Learn the meaning behind working, including product concepts, displays, and customer service. ThreaF's Commitment to Product Selection Understand the reasons behind product choices and touch upon the values behind "selection" from a professional perspective. Connections Fostered by "Gifts" Specifically consider gratitude, communication, and human relationships through the culture of gifting. ■ Implementation Overview Date and Time: June 11 and 18, 2026 Location: ThreaF Visiting Schools: - June 11 (Thursday): Seki City Asahigaoka Junior High School - June 18 (Thursday): Ichihara City Tatsumi Dai Junior High School Intermediary Organization: Muse Inc. / Ideatips (Career Learning Support Provider) Program: Company Introduction / Explanation of Work and Product Selection / Q&A / Wrap-up Duration: 60-90 minutes (adjusted according to school schedules) ■ ThreaF Store Manager's Comment Toshima Ward is promoting "Community Coexistence and Town Development," where diverse local businesses collaborate with administrative bodies and educational institutions, under the "International Art and Culture City" concept. This program aligns with that policy and serves as a concrete example of how individual stores within the ward can function as local resources. We hope this experience will provide students with an opportunity to think about the significance of work and what kind of job they might want to pursue in the future. ■ Store Information Store Name: ThreaF Address: 1-38-12 Takada, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0033 Mejiro Garden Heights (Access) 10-minute walk from JR Mejiro Station, 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Zoshigaya Station Business Hours: 11:00-15:00, 16:00-20:00, 12:00-19:00, Wednesdays Website: https://threaf.com Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threaf__official/ 【Inquiries】 Company Name: Hita Shokai Godo Kaisha Email: contact@threaf.com