The entire town becomes a campus. Nishinomiya's "Machigaku 2026" holds opening ceremony on July 4th. 130 courses and 8 months of mutual learning are about to begin.

NPO Nagomi (Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture) will hold the opening ceremony and first class for "Machigaku 2026" at the Nishinomiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

What is "Machigaku"?

"Machigaku" is a "town school" where people of all ages and backgrounds, from children to seniors, learn from each other, with the entire town of Nishinomiya as its campus. Now in its third year, the 2026 academic year will feature approximately 130 courses and 8 months of diverse classes held throughout the city.

To date, we have had over 4,000 participants, held more than 214 classes, and collaborated with 66 companies and organizations. This year, we aim to expand further. Companies, universities, community groups, and citizens will collaborate to challenge themselves with hands-on learning that goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition. It is not a "school" or a "cultural center." It is a school where "everyone is a teacher, and everyone is a student." With the advancement of AI, knowledge is now accessible anytime, anywhere.

Therefore, isn't what is needed now opportunities to meet people, experience the community, and learn through dialogue? "Machigaku" is not a school for obtaining qualifications or preparing for exams.

It is a new learning space where people meet, new friends and places to belong are created, and these experiences lead to connections with the community, starting with each individual's desire to "know" or "try."

Participants can not only take classes but also plan their own classes, become instructors, or launch projects. The diversity of ways to get involved and participate is one of its attractions. The biggest feature of "Machigaku" is that all participants can be both "learners" and "creators."

Machigaku Website

Diverse Classes: Choose from 130 Courses

At "Machigaku," you can choose to take classes individually based on your interests, or you can enroll in our "All-You-Can-Learn Plan" for a fixed monthly fee (subscription format), allowing you to take as many classes as you like. This system is available for children, university students, working adults, and even families and multiple generations.

The classes planned for this year include:

<Five Thematic Classes>

1 People's Classes: Classes to think about your own life by experiencing the lives and thoughts of people active in Nishinomiya.

2 Community Classes: Classes to rediscover the charm of Nishinomiya through its history, culture, and town walks.

3 Multicultural Classes: Classes to experience multicultural coexistence up close, with examples from Nepal, Cambodia, Brazil, and other countries.

4 Music Classes: Classes to enjoy music together across generations through instruments and musical experiences.

5 Public Relations Classes: Skill-up courses to learn practical skills in writing press releases and disseminating information.

In addition, courses on diverse themes such as illustration, fair food, finance, menstruation, disaster preparedness, generative AI, and workshop design are also planned.

<Request & Collaboration Classes>

● "What form can a sustainable children's cafeteria take?" Let's think about the future of children's cafeterias!

● Learn from an illustrator with your parents! Illustration drawing class

● <All-You-Can-Learn Plan Exclusive> Eliminating a world where you can't choose what to eat! What is "Fair Food"?

● "Talks about Menstruation" - Just changing your perspective can make your body and mind feel better.

● Many voices say, "I want to learn!" Let's think about "Money" together with your parents!

● <All-You-Can-Learn Plan Exclusive> Online Class "Connecting with Tanzania Online" - Multicultural Class

● "How do you create a class (mutual learning)?" A class on "Workshop Design" by the Machigaku Principal.

● Research class on "Play and Learning" in collaboration with "PLAY CUBE," a next-generation free school in Osaka!

● Conducted a "Multicultural Exchange" project and class in collaboration with students (international students) from Nihon Keizai University.

● Popular last year too! "Express yourself freely with brush calligraphy! Let's draw New Year's cards" for parents and children.

● Experience the board game "Moshi Kaji" developed by a disaster preparedness expert and think about disaster prevention!

● <All-You-Can-Learn Plan Exclusive> Online Class: Thinking about the choice of "Calibreak."

● <All-You-Can-Learn Plan Exclusive> Online Class: Learning about the initiatives of "SHIMOKITA COLLEGE."

● Want to know! Want to ask! Want to try! Classes to encounter the application and possibilities of generative AI.

● "Learning how to create and expand a brand from 0 to 1 from practitioners."

● "Let's learn the methods of Graphic Recording" - Visualizing dialogue.

It doesn't end with just "taking classes."

Project-based classes that challenge practical application in the community through collaboration with companies and organizations have also been launched.

<Project-Based Classes>

Project-based classes in collaboration with local companies, universities, NPOs, etc., will also be fully launched.

Participants will be involved from the planning stage, engaging in practical programs such as planning and operating community events, product development, public relations, and exchange projects within the community.

This program aims to connect learning to "action," not just "knowledge."

"Machigaku 2026" Opens on July 4th

The opening ceremony will include an introduction to this year's classes and projects, a presentation of collaborative sponsors and partner organizations, and networking among newly enrolled students.

Event Outline (Opening Ceremony)

[Date and Time] July 4, 2026 (Saturday) 13:30 - 14:00

[Venue] Nishinomiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall Community Economic Exchange Center (Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture)

[Content] Machigaku 2026 Opening Ceremony - Introduction of 2026 Classes and Projects - Introduction of Collaborative Sponsors - Participant Exchange

Event Outline (First Class)

The first class will be the first "People's Class," featuring Keiji Matsuda from the puppet theater troupe Ebisza as a guest, where participants will learn about cultural inheritance in Nishinomiya and living in the community. - First Class: "People's Class ~ The Keiji Matsuda Chapter"

Why are we doing this activity?

The concept for "Machigaku" was born about 18 years ago. The initiator and Machigaku Principal, Tamura, felt a sense of constraint among children and teachers while involved in educational settings as a university student aspiring to be an elementary school teacher. His desire to "work in a school" gradually transformed into a desire to "make schools better."

At that time, he thought, "Isn't there a way to change things from outside the school, not just from within?" If the entire town could become a learning space, the role of education would not have to be borne by schools alone but could be supported by the entire community. The town has diverse learning opportunities and teachers, and an environment where anyone can learn when they want to learn should be possible. That thought is the origin of the "Machigaku" concept.

After more than a decade of trial and error, "Machigaku ~ Machi no Gakkou ~" (Town School) opened in 2024. Through our activities, we have met many organizations, companies, and individuals, and realized that new possibilities emerge by connecting with different strengths and resources.

"Within the ordinary daily life, there is a seed of learning for someone." People gather around that seed, dialogue, and learn from each other. A learning space is created where everyone is both a teacher and a student, not just learning from others or researching alone. We believe that this mutual learning is the power that connects people and enriches the town. That is why we continue "Machigaku."

The Future Machigaku Aims For

In the two years since its opening in 2024, "Machigaku" has created many learning and practical opportunities through the implementation of diverse project classes and collaborations with companies and organizations. New connections and activities have emerged from the challenges of each participant, and achievements and case studies unique to Machigaku are gradually accumulating.

In its third year, the 2026 academic year, we aim to further develop our initiatives and deliver the existence and value of "Machigaku" to more Nishinomiya citizens. By expanding opportunities for people living, working, and learning in the community to meet, learn from each other, and take action across generations and backgrounds, we will foster a culture in Nishinomiya where "learning builds the town."

Furthermore, Machigaku is not a school operated by a single organization. It is a "learning platform for the entire town" created together with companies, organizations, educational institutions, and citizens in Nishinomiya City. We will continue to increase our collaborative partners and expand the circle of town development that leads to the resolution of community issues and the creation of new value by leveraging each partner's strengths and resources.

This Year's Goal is to "Deliver"

"Machigaku's" biggest challenge and goal is to deliver and communicate our thoughts and activities. To transmit them.

For the past two years, we have found it difficult to communicate and deliver our activities ourselves. Our participants range mainly from elementary school students to those in their 80s. While primarily based in Nishinomiya City, "Machigaku" also accepts participants from outside the city and prefecture.

This year, our goal is to reach as many people living in the town as possible who want to challenge themselves, utilize their strengths and skills, and interact with people of various generations and backgrounds.

Invitation for Interviews

On the opening day, people from diverse backgrounds, including students, university students, company and organization representatives, and community activists, will gather to start a new year of learning.

We would be honored if you would cover this as a site where "people grow in the community" and "town development begins with learning."

<Contact Information>

NPO Nagomi (Machigaku Office)

Contact: Kota Tamura naru.nago@gmail.com / 080-8503-4515

<Organization Overview>

Organization Name: NPO Nagomi

Location: 2-16-19-102 Higashi-Naruocho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture

Representative: Ikuko Mori (as of June 2026)

Established: November 2013

Business Activities: Co-existing community exchange base / life support services / place-making services / community cafeteria / Marche, etc.