GARDEN MARKET: Legacy Brands and Local Creators Redesign Life in Shiga — A Cross-Industry Collaboration Between a Global Bookbinding Machinery Manufacturer’s Outdoor Brand and Young Local Creators, July 4 (Sat)

SAWAMURA Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture; President and CEO: Koichiro Sawamura; hereinafter "SAWAMURA"), a comprehensive construction company operating primarily in Shiga, Kyoto, and Fukui, will host a community co-creation night market, "GARDEN MARKET," on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the garden of HAARU, its green lifestyle shop located on the company’s headquarters premises.

This event aims to provide local residents with a space to enjoy a rich and relaxing evening, bringing together 12 local food vendors and creators for a one-night-only market.

This year, two long-established companies rooted in Takashima City—SAWAMURA, founded 75 years ago, and Horizon Co., Ltd., an 80-year-old global leader in bookbinding machinery—have joined forces to host simultaneous "craftsmanship workshops" that share their corporate expertise with the community. These initiatives support emerging local creators and aim to enrich residents’ lives, sparking a new model for community development in regional cities.

Event Overview

Date and Time: May 18, 2026 (Mon) 10:00–12:00

*In case of rain, postponed to May 21, 2026 (Thu) 10:00–12:00.

Location: SAWAMURA Co., Ltd. headquarters premises (Details will be provided individually)

Target Participants: Employees in their first or second year of employment

Activities: Rice planting experience and more

*Media wishing to cover the event must contact us in advance.

Background: Revitalizing the Former Castle Town of "Ozuki"

The Ozuki area (Katsuno, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture) once flourished as a castle town. However, with the development of land transportation, its vibrancy declined, leading to rising vacant homes and labor outflow—key challenges today. Concerned about the erosion of local history and culture, SAWAMURA has previously worked to increase "relationship-based population" through initiatives like the "SAWAMURA Marche." The "GARDEN MARKET" continues this mission, serving as a demonstration platform where local players connect and enrich their community through their own skills. By creating a space where diverse aspirations intersect, the event aims to foster deeper local attachment.

Highlight 1: Co-Creation by Legacy Brands (Construction × Manufacturing)—Craftsmanship Experiences to Enrich Daily Life

Two veteran manufacturing companies based in Takashima City will support this market, leveraging their accumulated "technical expertise" and "know-how."

【Horizon Co., Ltd. (GREBE WORKS)】

Horizon, a global leader in bookbinding machinery development and manufacturing, channels its precision metalworking technology into GREBE WORKS—an outdoor brand fully manufactured in-house at its own factory. The brand, recently gaining attention due to a dedicated manager relocating from the apparel industry to Takashima, will host a hands-on workshop: "Create Your Own Brass Lantern Stand" (Experience fee: 1,000 JPY). A special exhibition of gear, typically available only online, will also be on display.

【SAWAMURA Co., Ltd. (HAARU Green Planning)】

HAARU, a shop for indoor plants and garden design created by renovating SAWAMURA’s former office building, will host a "Wind Chime Workshop" using reclaimed wood scraps from construction sites—a unique initiative only possible for a comprehensive construction company. Participants will transform wood scraps into accessories that emit cool, soothing sounds on summer nights.

Highlight 2: 12 Unique Vendors Invite You to Experience Local Charm Through All Five Senses

The venue will feature 12 vibrant vendors, including creators shaping Shiga’s local culture and popular food and beverage outlets. Visitors can enjoy gourmet burgers, house-roasted coffee, refreshing shaved ice, and more. Shoppers can also discover handcrafted goods such as hand-embroidered textiles, macramé accessories, and dried flower arrangements—each radiating the warmth of handmade artistry. This intimate space encourages direct conversations between vendors and guests, offering a heartwarming opportunity to rediscover the region’s charm.

【Tanzaku Wishes: A Tanabata-Inspired Community Survey】

Aligned with the event’s timing, a participatory "Tanabata Project" will invite visitors to write personal wishes on tanzaku (paper strips). Additionally, they can share ideas for the future of Takashima—"What the city needs" or "What would be nice to have"—as part of a community development survey. These authentic voices will serve as valuable insights for SAWAMURA’s future regional revitalization and placemaking initiatives.

"GARDEN MARKET" Event Details

◆ Date and Time: Saturday, July 4, 2026, 17:00–20:30 *In case of rain, cancellation will be announced via Instagram.

◆ Venue: Garden of HAARU Green Shop (1108-3 Katsuno, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture; SAWAMURA Co., Ltd. headquarters premises)

◆ Participating Vendors:

AACmarket (Burgers), Drink Cafe Andy (Shaved Ice), Lueur (Alcohol Ink Goods), THEE COFFEE (Coffee), N'sBOWL (Baked Goods & Meals), T-coun+ (Hand Embroidery & Textiles), Bouvardia Leather Works (Leather Goods Workshop), a_hau_oli (Macramé Goods), fleuri (Dried Flower Wreaths), ELLY'S CAFE (Café Meals), HAARU (Wind Chime Workshop), GREBE WORKS (Workshop & Gear Exhibition)

◆ Contact: 0740-36-8118 (Regular holidays: Tuesdays; irregular holidays on weekends)

◆ Access: 5-minute walk from "Omi-Takashima Station" on the JR Kosei Line. Parking is available.

SAWAMURA’s Community Development Initiatives

SAWAMURA aims to build sustainable regional cities by creating communities that go beyond construction. To achieve this, the company organizes the "SAWAMURA Marche," attracting around 2,000 visitors, and supports the launch of the "Ozuki Community Development Market," operated by local residents. Through industry-academia-government collaboration with public agencies, businesses, and universities, SAWAMURA advances experiential projects that leverage historical assets. The company plans to expand this model across the region, driving up overall brand value.

Fieldwork-Based Employee Training to Deepen Local Understanding

Hosting "Town-Making Internships" to Grow Local Supporters

Operating Co-Creation Hubs in Renovated Vacant Houses

Planning and Managing Markets Using Company-Owned Land

Company Overview: SAWAMURA Co., Ltd.

A comprehensive construction company offering end-to-end solutions—from custom homes and renovations to the construction of offices, factories, stores, public facilities, and civil engineering projects—primarily in Shiga, Kyoto, and Fukui. The company was involved in constructing "Biwako Terrace," a tourist destination attracting approximately 600,000 visitors annually. SAWAMURA also actively initiates projects to revitalize regional areas, such as organizing local markets. Based in Takashima City, a municipality with fewer than 46,000 residents facing labor outflow, the company has doubled its employee count and sales over six years through branding efforts, reaching 708 applicants for its 2027 graduate recruitment (as of June 2026). Its purpose is to create a society where "rich ways of working and living are possible."

Company Name: SAWAMURA Co., Ltd.

Representative: Koichiro Sawamura

Headquarters: 1108-3 Katsuno, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture

Industry: Comprehensive Construction

Founded: 1950

Capital (Group-wide): 50,000,000 JPY

Employees (Group-wide): 200 (as of June 2026)

Website: https://www.sawamura-shiga.co.jp/

Main Services: Living Environment Business (custom homes, renovations and remodeling, exterior works, real estate); Solution Business (new construction and renovation of offices, factories, stores, warehouses, nursing care facilities, clinics, etc., asset utilization, civil engineering)