Osaka Becomes a "Second Home" for Global Digital Nomads. "Digital Nomad Week Osaka 2026 Spring," a Deep Osaka Experience Program with 92 Participants, Concludes with Great Success!
The "Digital Nomad Week Osaka 2026 Spring" program, organized by The DECK Inc., successfully concluded with 92 participants. It offered deep cultural immersion and community connection in Osaka and Sakai, positioning Osaka as a second home for global digital nomads.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 00:54
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 16:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 16:39 (7 min after Collected)
Picnic under the cherry blossoms in Osaka Castle Park. Some participants experienced cherry blossom viewing for the first time in their lives.
■ The "Digital Nomad" market, with approximately 70 countries competing for attraction, and Japan's new challenge
The global digital nomad market currently ranges from 35 to 40 million people. With the establishment of remote work and diversification of working styles, coupled with the recent increase in "solopreneurs" due to advancements in AI technology, this number is predicted to expand further.
To attract these individuals, who possess advanced digital skills and purchasing power, approximately 70 countries worldwide are already issuing digital nomad visas, engaging in fierce competition. In Japan, the Immigration Services Agency established a new "Digital Nomad Visa" in April 2024 for foreigners working remotely globally, marking the full-scale acceptance of digital nomads nationwide.
While great expectations are placed on digital nomads as a trump card for regional revitalization, what they truly seek in a destination is not superficial "tourism," but an "immersive" experience that deeply integrates them into the local community. The DECK Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka City; Representative Director CEO: Tomokazu Morizawa) implemented its unique attraction program, "Digital Nomad Week Osaka 2026 Spring ~The Hideyoshi Legacy: Deep Osaka & Connection~," to meet this essential need, utilizing Osaka's history and local resources.
This program redefined Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who unified Japan, as "Japan's first community manager" and adapted his networking methods, such as "tea ceremony" and "cherry blossom viewing," for modern digital nomads. During the period, a total of 8 events were held, with 92 participants. We report on the achievements and highlights of this highly successful event.
Cherry blossom viewing picnic at Osaka Castle during the day. A banquet under the illuminated night cherry blossoms! Enjoying Osaka Castle at night.
■ Event Results (Total Mobilization: 92 participants)
During the period, The DECK's coworking space served as the base (home base), and a multifaceted program was developed across Osaka City and Sakai City.
• 4/2 Cherry Blossom Picnic (Osaka Castle): 10 participants
• 4/3 Urasenke Tea Ceremony Experience (Samuhara Shrine): 10 participants
• 4/4 CoRunning (Osaka Riverside at night): 3 participants
• 4/6 Brioche Meetup (The DECK): 10 participants
• 4/7 Night Cherry Blossom Magic Meetup (Osaka Castle): 23 participants
• 4/8 Calligraphy Experience "MICHI" (The DECK): 5 participants
• 4/9 Sakai Deep Osaka Tour & Old Folk House Banquet (Sakai City): 18 participants (5 nomads + 13 local residents)
• 4/10 Captain's Takoyaki Night (The DECK): 13 participants
Samuhara Shrine, the first shrine of Settsu Province.
Priest himself gives a tour in English.
Traditional tea room within the shrine grounds.
Urasenke Tea Ceremony Experience.
The DECK.
Calligraphy experience by Zane.
Old folk house cafe in Sakai.
Exchange meeting with local residents.
■ Highlights of experiencing "the real Japan" not found in tourist guides
Particularly well-received was the main event held on April 9, "Local Tram Ride & Deep Osaka Culture Journey (Sakai City Deep Tour)."
Participants rode a retro tram to Sakai City, the hometown of Sen no Rikyu, visited a knife forging workshop that inherits traditional sword-making techniques, and experienced forging. In the evening, they rented a traditional old folk house (anywhere café) and, joined by local residents, cooked rice in a kamado (traditional stove) and made onigiri (rice balls). It was a night that truly embodied the program's theme of "deep connection," with people from across borders singing and laughing together to the live music of the sanshin (Okinawan string instrument).
Interviewed Eric, representative of De SAKAI, a knife forging shop.
Enjoyed sanshin experience and VR tourism at the old folk house cafe.
Onigiri made with white rice cooked in a kamado was exceptional. Local Eisa team performed music and dance.
■ Moving testimonials from participants (excerpts)
As a result of providing immersion into the local community rather than superficial sightseeing, highly enthusiastic feedback was received from participating foreign digital nomads.
• Consultant from the USA
"I have participated in various programs around the world, but the interaction with local people during the Sakai City tour was truly moving and an unforgettable experience."
• AI Engineer from Israel
"Through traditional cultural experiences such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, knife forging, making onigiri with a kamado, and sanshin performance, interacting directly with local people made me love Japan even more."
• First time
■ The "Digital Nomad" market, with approximately 70 countries competing for attraction, and Japan's new challenge
The global digital nomad market currently ranges from 35 to 40 million people. With the establishment of remote work and diversification of working styles, coupled with the recent increase in "solopreneurs" due to advancements in AI technology, this number is predicted to expand further.
To attract these individuals, who possess advanced digital skills and purchasing power, approximately 70 countries worldwide are already issuing digital nomad visas, engaging in fierce competition. In Japan, the Immigration Services Agency established a new "Digital Nomad Visa" in April 2024 for foreigners working remotely globally, marking the full-scale acceptance of digital nomads nationwide.
While great expectations are placed on digital nomads as a trump card for regional revitalization, what they truly seek in a destination is not superficial "tourism," but an "immersive" experience that deeply integrates them into the local community. The DECK Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka City; Representative Director CEO: Tomokazu Morizawa) implemented its unique attraction program, "Digital Nomad Week Osaka 2026 Spring ~The Hideyoshi Legacy: Deep Osaka & Connection~," to meet this essential need, utilizing Osaka's history and local resources.
This program redefined Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who unified Japan, as "Japan's first community manager" and adapted his networking methods, such as "tea ceremony" and "cherry blossom viewing," for modern digital nomads. During the period, a total of 8 events were held, with 92 participants. We report on the achievements and highlights of this highly successful event.
Cherry blossom viewing picnic at Osaka Castle during the day. A banquet under the illuminated night cherry blossoms! Enjoying Osaka Castle at night.
■ Event Results (Total Mobilization: 92 participants)
During the period, The DECK's coworking space served as the base (home base), and a multifaceted program was developed across Osaka City and Sakai City.
• 4/2 Cherry Blossom Picnic (Osaka Castle): 10 participants
• 4/3 Urasenke Tea Ceremony Experience (Samuhara Shrine): 10 participants
• 4/4 CoRunning (Osaka Riverside at night): 3 participants
• 4/6 Brioche Meetup (The DECK): 10 participants
• 4/7 Night Cherry Blossom Magic Meetup (Osaka Castle): 23 participants
• 4/8 Calligraphy Experience "MICHI" (The DECK): 5 participants
• 4/9 Sakai Deep Osaka Tour & Old Folk House Banquet (Sakai City): 18 participants (5 nomads + 13 local residents)
• 4/10 Captain's Takoyaki Night (The DECK): 13 participants
Samuhara Shrine, the first shrine of Settsu Province.
Priest himself gives a tour in English.
Traditional tea room within the shrine grounds.
Urasenke Tea Ceremony Experience.
The DECK.
Calligraphy experience by Zane.
Old folk house cafe in Sakai.
Exchange meeting with local residents.
■ Highlights of experiencing "the real Japan" not found in tourist guides
Particularly well-received was the main event held on April 9, "Local Tram Ride & Deep Osaka Culture Journey (Sakai City Deep Tour)."
Participants rode a retro tram to Sakai City, the hometown of Sen no Rikyu, visited a knife forging workshop that inherits traditional sword-making techniques, and experienced forging. In the evening, they rented a traditional old folk house (anywhere café) and, joined by local residents, cooked rice in a kamado (traditional stove) and made onigiri (rice balls). It was a night that truly embodied the program's theme of "deep connection," with people from across borders singing and laughing together to the live music of the sanshin (Okinawan string instrument).
Interviewed Eric, representative of De SAKAI, a knife forging shop.
Enjoyed sanshin experience and VR tourism at the old folk house cafe.
Onigiri made with white rice cooked in a kamado was exceptional. Local Eisa team performed music and dance.
■ Moving testimonials from participants (excerpts)
As a result of providing immersion into the local community rather than superficial sightseeing, highly enthusiastic feedback was received from participating foreign digital nomads.
• Consultant from the USA
"I have participated in various programs around the world, but the interaction with local people during the Sakai City tour was truly moving and an unforgettable experience."
• AI Engineer from Israel
"Through traditional cultural experiences such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, knife forging, making onigiri with a kamado, and sanshin performance, interacting directly with local people made me love Japan even more."
• First time