What is the "TOUCA" community?

It is a community of regional leaders and DMO practitioners who meet bi-annually to visit each other's projects and learn from practical experiences.

Why was Yonezawa selected as the venue for this seminar camp?

Due to connection with the JTA expert Ken Ikeo, Uesugi Yozan's historical spirit, and Yamagataza Takinami's advanced local gastronomy initiatives.

What was the purpose of using "pattern language" on the final day?

It was used as a methodology to systematically review and organize the three days of learnings and regional development insights into actionable formats.

TOUCA Seminar Camp Held in Yonezawa to Learn Regional Economic Circulation Through History, Culture, and Local Gastronomy

Published Jun 16, 2026 2:00 AM ・ Updated Jun 15, 2026 5:35 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Intellectual Innovations and Plat Yonezawa co-hosted the 'TOUCA Seminar Camp in Yonezawa' from May 19 to 21, 2026. Around 20 regional business leaders and DMO practitioners from across Japan gathered in Yonezawa and Nanyo, Yamagata Prefecture, to participate in programs focused on historic infrastructure, local food culture, and sustainable economic circulation.

Intellectual Innovations (representative director: Ken Ikeo) and Plat Yonezawa Co., Ltd. (representative director: Hirotoshi Miyajima) co-hosted the three-day, two-night 'TOUCA Seminar Camp in Yonezawa' in Yonezawa City and the Nanyo City Akayu area of Yamagata Prefecture from May 19 to 21, 2026. The camp brought together approximately 20 participants, including regional leaders, DMO practitioners, and architects active in areas such as Tamba-Sasayama, Iwami Ginzan, Kamikatsu, Oki, Osaka, Lake Towada, and the local Yonezawa/Nanyo region, to share knowledge and discuss regional development. During the discussion on the first night, participants spent two hours exchanging opinions on the future of the Okitama region, covering topics from utilizing government support programs to setting KPIs for regional economic circulation and advanced urban design. On the final day, they gathered at the Historic Museum of the former Yonezawa Higher Technical School, an important cultural property, to systematically review the insights gained during the camp using a pattern language methodology. The event was initiated because Ken Ikeo of Intellectual Innovations serves as an expert for the Japan Tourism Agency's FY2025 project supporting tourism-based community development utilizing historical resources in Yonezawa. The selection of Yonezawa was also supported by the local spirit of Yozan Uesugi, the establishment of the Okitama Local Gastronomy Academia by Yamagataza Takinami, and the local climate characterized by Foehn winds and temperature differences that enhance agricultural product quality. Key programs on the first day included an opening session at Satoyama Vision House featuring local wild vegetable dishes and a presentation on historic civil engineering structures in Yonezawa by Professor Mitsunori Kuroda of Yamagata University. This was followed by a local gastronomy dinner at Yamagataza Takinami, where president Hiroshi Minami served hand-rolled buckwheat noodles and local beef, followed by further discussions on the essence of regional management. The second day focused on experiences related to history, textiles, and fermentation cultures.

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: Event

TOUCA Seminar Camp Held in Yonezawa to Learn Regional Economic Circulation Through History, Culture, and Local Gastronomy

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