The Japan Marriage Support Association (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Koki Goto) is launching the "IjuKon Tour," where single individuals living in urban areas can interact with single individuals in local communities, as a new development in its "IjuKon" business, which combines support for moving to rural areas with marriage support.
The association has been promoting the "IjuKon" business since 2010, with acceptance implemented in 142 municipalities across 13 prefectures nationwide, reaching a cumulative total of 2,244 applicants (as of June 28, 2026). Currently, 112 municipalities in 9 prefectures are participating, and the initiative is spreading nationwide as an effort to integrate marriage support with regional revitalization.
With the aim of further promoting permanent residency, we are now recruiting participating municipalities for fiscal year 2026, launching a new initiative in the form of local tours where participants can actually experience life in the region, in addition to the conventional introduction-based support.
Three Features of the "IjuKon Tour" Easy for Municipalities to Introduce
1. One-stop support from planning to recruitment and public relations
The Japan Marriage Support Association provides comprehensive support, from tour planning and participant recruitment to the creation of a special website and information dissemination via social media. This system is easy for municipalities to implement even with limited staff, as they can focus on regional guidance, relocation consultations, and exchange program operations.
2. Small-group program to experience "life" rather than "tourism"
Adopting a small-group format limited to about 3 to 6 participants from outside the prefecture, allowing for in-depth interaction with local singles, senior residents who have relocated, and community residents. By deeply understanding the region's charm and lifestyle, we aim to foster exchange that leads to the creation of related population and ultimately to relocation and permanent residency.
3. Easy participation with travel subsidies, achieving high matching effectiveness
Municipalities subsidize more than half of the participants' travel and accommodation costs, reducing the hurdle for participation from urban areas. By approaching both marriage and relocation, we create opportunities for participants with serious intentions and promote future permanent residency.
Model Event Decided for Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture!
As the first installment of the new business, the "IjuKon Tour" will be held in Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture, on August 1, 2026 (Sat).
On the day, participants will experience local life while touring tourist spots such as Lake Nojiri and Mt. Kurohime, enjoy a special lunch at "Komacafe," a renovated traditional house cafe run by a senior resident who has relocated, and interact with local singles and senior residents, allowing them to concretely imagine their lifestyle after relocating.
In addition, flexible support will be provided for optional programs such as workplace tours, visits to relocation experience facilities, and home visits to senior residents, depending on the region's characteristics and participants' needs, to provide a deeper experience of the region's appeal.
Starting with the model event in Shinano Town, we aim to spread this new regional revitalization model that combines "marriage" and "relocation" to municipalities nationwide.
▼1st IjuKon Tour in Shinano Town https://konkatu.or.jp/newsevent/20260625/
Recruitment Overview
Target Audience Prefectures and municipalities nationwide *This includes municipalities currently accepting "IjuKon" participants, as well as those considering new introductions.
Recruitment Content Participating municipalities for the "IjuKon Tour" in fiscal year 2026
Implementation Period Fiscal year 2026 (Implementation period to be determined in consultation with the municipality)
Implementation Format - Day trip plan (half-day to 1 day) - 1 night, 2-day plan
Number of Participants (per event) - Participants from outside the prefecture: Approximately 3-6 people - Local participants: Approximately 3-6 people
Basic Plan (including planning, recruitment, and PR support) 100,000 yen (excluding tax)
*Includes planning, participant recruitment, listing on the special website, and information dissemination via social media, etc. *Travel and accommodation subsidies for participants, food and drink expenses, experience program fees, etc., will be borne by the municipality (actual costs). *We also offer customized plans and estimates based on regional characteristics, implementation details, and budget.
◎Recruiting Municipalities to Participate in the "IjuKon Tour" for Fiscal Year 2026
The Japan Marriage Support Association is recruiting municipalities nationwide to participate in the "IjuKon Tour."
We offer implementation plans tailored to the region's characteristics and challenges for municipal officials who are considering new measures to promote relocation and create related populations, or who have found previous matchmaking events to be less effective.
Inquiries and Material Requests
Inquiries about the IjuKon Tour https://konkatu.or.jp/contact/
Material requests for municipalities https://konkatu.or.jp/public/
Related Links
IjuKon Official Website https://konkatu.or.jp/ijukon2020/
Japan Marriage Support Association https://konkatu.or.jp/
About the Japan Marriage Support Association
The Japan Marriage Support Association was established in 2010. It offers matchmaking events, seminars, the public matchmaking service "ShokaiKon," and the relocation and marriage support service "IjuKon" in collaboration with local governments, targeting singles who wish to marry. Through marriage support, it addresses regional issues such as the declining birthrate and regional revitalization.
【Organization Overview】 Name: Japan Marriage Support Association Location: 3-8-8 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061 Representative: Koki Goto, Representative Director Established: March 19, 2010 URL: https://konkatu.or.jp
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: サービス開始