HR Library to Host 'HR Festival 2026' in Okutama on October 10–11, Where HR Professionals Stay Overnight at a Repurposed School to Learn Together

HR Library, an HR community operated by Trustyyle Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo Ward, Tokyo; CEO: Yosuke Yoshida), will host the residential event 'HR Festival 2026' on October 10 (Sat) – 11 (Sun), 2026, at OKUTAMA+ in Okutama Town, Nishitama District, Tokyo.

'HR Festival' is a 'cultural festival for HR professionals' where HR practitioners and those involved in the HR field gather beyond company affiliations and job titles to learn together about recruitment, labor administration, organizational development, and human capital management. Set in a venue renovated from a former middle school, the event features participant-led exhibitions, dialogue sessions, and informal exchanges around bonfires and saunas, fostering serendipitous learning and connections rarely achieved at conventional conferences.

The inaugural event in 2025 attracted a total of 129 participants and featured approximately 40 mini-seminars, workshops, and dialogue sessions. In its second year, the 2026 edition will expand to approximately 200 participants per day, with over 80 exhibitions and sessions planned.

Registration is available via the event application page.

About 'HR Festival'

'HR Festival' is a residential event where HR professionals and those involved in the HR field gather beyond company affiliations and job titles to learn about recruitment, labor administration, organizational development, and human capital management. Set in a renovated former middle school, the event fosters serendipitous learning and connections through participant-led exhibitions, dialogue sessions, and informal exchanges around bonfires and saunas—experiences rarely found at traditional conferences.

Background of the Event

The role of HR is expanding annually due to factors such as AI adoption, talent shortages, and the need to respond to human capital management. However, HR professionals are often too busy with daily operations to connect with peers from other companies and share practical knowledge or broaden their perspectives.

'HR Festival' was conceived to address these challenges—a two-day immersive experience dedicated entirely to HR, from morning to night. By moving away from the city center to OKUTAMA+, a venue renovated from a former middle school, participants can step away from their daily routines and fully immerse themselves in learning and networking. Unlike lecture-based conferences, the 'festival' format encourages active participation, aiming to spark new insights through spontaneous encounters and conversations.

Features of 'HR Festival 2026'

1. Learning through honest dialogue beyond job titles and companies At HR Festival, participants are encouraged to set aside their positions and company affiliations and engage as individuals 'involved in HR,' fostering open and authentic conversations.

2. Residential, immersive learning at a repurposed school The venue, OKUTAMA+, is a renovated former middle school. In this extraordinary setting away from the city, participants can fully immerse themselves in learning and dialogue—from daytime sessions to evening exchanges—over two days.

3. A two-way event where participants themselves can exhibit Beyond attending sessions, participants can bring their own themes and host sessions or workshops. This creates a festival-like learning space where diverse practical knowledge and questions converge.

Results from the 2025 Inaugural Event

Approximately 40 mini-seminars, workshops, and dialogue sessions were held in former classrooms, science labs, and home economics rooms. Programs ranged from knowledge-building sessions like 'What is the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Thinking? Decoding the Labour Standards-related Legislation Study Group Report' to experiential ones like 'Objective Management Board Game Experience' and 'Facilitation Skills to Improve Group Discussions.' Participants moved across classrooms with timetables in hand. A total of 129 people attended, with evening conversations continuing around bonfires and in saunas.

Testimonials from Participants

It was incredibly fun! More like a cultural festival than a conference—truly a 'festival.' Being far from daily life allowed me to forget work and enjoy purely.

Every session was fascinating, and I was able to deepen my learning even with people I met on the spot. I was reminded once again that HR professionals are warm and wonderful people.

Event Overview

Name

HR Festival 2026

Date and Time

October 10 (Sat) – 11 (Sun), 2026 Daily: 11:00–19:00 (Programs after 19:00 are for overnight guests only) ※ Day participation without overnight stay is possible

Venue

OKUTAMA+ (Renovated former middle school) / 594 Kawai, Okutama Town, Nishitama District, Tokyo

Target Audience

HR professionals, executives, and anyone interested in the HR field ※ Open to both HR Library members and non-members

Expected Attendance

Approximately 200 per day (planned)

Participation Fee

Please refer to the application page (Peatix)

Registration

Peatix: https://peatix.com/event/4988362

Organizer

HR Library (Operated by Trustyyle Inc.)

Press Information / Highlights

On the day, media can cover sessions and workshops held in individual classrooms, participants moving through the campus to learn from each other, and informal exchanges around bonfires.

Suggested reporting angles include: 'HR professionals’ reskilling,' 'cross-company connections among HR peers,' 'the evolving role of HR in the human capital management era,' and 'residential events utilizing repurposed schools.'

Interviews with organizers, exhibitors, and participants can be arranged. Photo materials from the 2025 inaugural event are also available. Please contact the press inquiry desk below if you wish to cover the event.

Press Registration / Inquiries

Contact: HR Festival 2026 Organizing Committee

Inquiry Form

About HR Library

HR Library is a coworking and community space for HR professionals, opened on April 1, 2024, in Ningyocho, Tokyo. With over 3,000 HR-related books and more than 800 members, it operates under the tagline 'Opening the future through learning with peers.'

Location: 6F WACROSS NINGYOCHO, 1-12-7 Nihonbashi Kakigaracho, Chuo Ward, Tokyo

Established: April 1, 2024

Official Website: https://hr-library.jp/

Official X: https://x.com/hr_library0401/