During the summer vacation season, various places hold experiments and craft workshops. Some children may participate as part of their summer homework.
In Kojima, a "Summer Exciting Craft Workshop" organized by a packaging specialty production company will be held. It seems that you can enjoy making things together with professional designers.
What exactly will be made? We spoke about the unique features of the production company.
What is the "Summer Exciting Craft Workshop"?
The Summer Exciting Craft Workshop is a manufacturing workshop for elementary school students that will be held on August 1, 2026 (Saturday) at the Kojima Industrial Promotion Center.
The organizer, Just Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Just"), is a packaging specialty production company located in Kojima. Utilizing the skills cultivated in planning and producing packaging, they have been holding workshops to convey the joy of making things to children every year since 2024.
Design various birds! "Box Forest Lamp"
In the 2026 workshop, participants will create a "Box Forest Lamp." The lamp is shaped like a bird and is wrapped in a cardboard box.
When you open the box, a soft light spreads like wings.
When you hear "lamp," you might think, "Isn't it a difficult craft?" However, what the children will challenge is the design of the bird inside the box. There are no dangerous tasks or difficult processes that might make them give up halfway.
They will choose their favorite shape from the pre-prepared birds and freely create their birds using various decorations and tools.
It is requested that participants bring items and materials for decoration.
The materials to be attached to the birds can include stickers, origami, yarn, buttons, beads, and even leaves and nuts. Note that paints are essential, so it is recommended to bring them when participating.
The atmosphere of the birds will change depending on the materials used. Let's combine various materials to create unique birds.
Additionally, if time permits, you can also design the light of the lamp.
Additionally, an after-service has started this time. If the finished work breaks, you can bring it to Just for parts replacement and other support.
The after-service was initiated because many children were reluctant to break their creations when transporting them to school as summer homework. Being able to keep their works for a long time is also a joy for children.
The kits used in the workshop are handmade one by one by professional designers at Just. This workshop is perfect for a summer challenge where participants can create a one-of-a-kind work together with designers.
If you wish to participate, please apply through the dedicated form. The deadline is July 16 (Thursday) at 6 PM. If there are many applications, a lottery will be held.
Interview with the person in charge
What kind of commitment does Just have for the craft workshop? We spoke with Masaki Hamada, who is in charge of organizing the event at Just.
A workshop with a focus on experiencing "I did it!"
Since the kits are self-produced, are there any elements unique to a packaging production company?
Hamada (no honorifics)
The theme of the craft workshop always includes the element of "packaging."
In 2024, we planned a pet bottle lantern wrapped in packaging, in 2025, a moving package beast, and in 2026, a lamp that contains birds in a box.
Additionally, we send a manual to participants in advance. To keep them excited while preparing until the day, the manual is also seriously created by professional designers.
Please tell us about your points of commitment.
Hamada
When submitting as summer homework, we make sure that it does not get mistaken for a commercial product, so we create kits that are as handmade as possible. We want children to have confidence in having made it themselves, so we try to use paper and cardboard as much as possible to avoid looking like store-bought kits.
Also, we value the way of teaching, and instead of just guiding them step by step, we teach them the "tips." I tell the staff to emphasize the importance of having a successful experience that makes them think, "I can do it too!".
It's important to provide experiences that are neither too easy nor too difficult, allowing children to feel a sense of achievement.
Hamada
That's right. The concept of the craft workshop is to allow children to accumulate successful experiences. It's not good if it's too difficult and they lose confidence, nor if it's too easy and lacks challenge.
We will prepare the difficult parts, but we always leave points that children can overcome on their own, which they can achieve with a little effort.
I myself was clumsy and had a complex when I was a child, but once I learned the tricks of making things, it became a lot of fun. I want to pass on the tips for becoming good at making things in the shortest distance to the children as well.
Exciting Community Contribution Through Crafting
This is the third time the workshop is being held, but what prompted the start of the craft workshop?
Hamada
We wanted to connect with the community through our expertise in crafting, and that was the trigger.
At Just, we have been engaged in community contributions, such as outreach activities for elderly residents in the neighborhood and trash collection activities. While continuing these activities, I thought, "I want to interact more closely with the local people and engage in more exciting community contributions."
That’s when I thought of the craft workshop for children.
The road in front of our office is often used by elementary school students, but not many people know what kind of company Just is. We rarely have opportunities to interact with elementary school students through our work, so we decided to challenge ourselves with a project to engage with the children.
It seems that years of community contribution activities led to the planning of the craft workshop.
Hamada
In fact, this is a project that I have been nurturing since around 2019, thinking "I want to do this someday." After going through the COVID-19 pandemic, we were finally able to make it happen.
There is also an aspect of internal training. By having professional designers teach the children, we aim for them to gain the experience of "learning from teaching."
What has been the response from children who participated in the past?
Hamada
Everyone is genuinely happy.
Some children take home their completed works like treasures, and some keep them by their bedside, which makes me very happy. They create works with ideas we never imagined, so our staff is surprised every time.
In 2025, there was a girl who won an award with a work made here. When I received a message of joy from her, I truly felt that it was worth continuing this activity.
Building Confidence Through Successful Experiences This Summer
What kind of people would you recommend participating?
Hamada
Of course, children who love crafting, but I especially want those who, like my younger self, feel "I like it but I'm clumsy and lack confidence" to come.
Nowadays, there are ready-made products that are easy to make, and I think it's an era where you can find answers quickly by searching on social media. That's why I want them to experience the success of "I made it myself" through trial and error with their own hands. We will do our best to support that.
Finally, please share a message.
Hamada
We are planning a craft workshop that not only conveys the joy of making things but also allows children to accumulate successful experiences and gain a little confidence. We will spare no effort to ensure your satisfaction.
The "Forest of Boxes Lamp" can only be made at Just in the world. Let's create a fundamental experience of crafting together that will remain in your heart for a lifetime, rather than just a simple craft.
I look forward to meeting your ideas at the venue.
Conclusion
During the interview, I was amazed by the completed Forest of Boxes Lamp.
Inside the sturdy paper box, a colorful bird spreads its wings, and I honestly thought, "If I could make this myself, it would boost my confidence."
Just's website features various ways to make birds, so if you're interested, please check it out. Just watching the process of making birds can be enjoyable.
The experience of "I made something myself" will surely remain a cherished memory as you grow older. I believe that the works made with effort will surely become beloved.
Why not create a treasure during the summer vacation?
Data on the Exciting Summer Craft Workshop
| Name | Exciting Summer Craft Workshop |
|---|---|
| Date | August 1, 2026 (Saturday) From 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Location | 1-37 Kojima Station, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki City Kojima Industrial Promotion Center (2nd floor, Conference Room 3) |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 1,000 yen |
| Website | Just Co., Ltd. 2026 Craft Workshop |
