FY2026 Kurashiki City Marriage Support Project "Kurashiki Koi Meguri" ~ Some Events Cost Just 500 Yen, So Take That First Step

If you are considering getting married locally but have few opportunities to meet people and lack the courage to take the first step even when you do meet someone,

why not attend a matchmaking event organized by the government if you live or work in Kurashiki City or the Takahashi River basin area?

The Kurashiki Migration and Settlement Promotion Office holds matchmaking events almost every year, and this year (2026) the project is named “Kurashiki Koi Meguri,” which seems to have a slightly different flavor than before.

We spoke with representatives from the Kurashiki Migration and Settlement Promotion Office and e-lamp., the company managing the project.

What is the Kurashiki City Marriage Support Project “Kurashiki Koi Meguri” for 2026?

The Kurashiki City Marriage Support Event “Kurashiki Koi Meguri” is a collective term for matchmaking events hosted by Kurashiki City in 2026. Three main types of seminars and events will be held this year.

• Experience-based Matching Event “Kurakon”
  A small group plus one-on-one “Double Talk System”
• Relaxed Conversation Event “Kurakon Light”
  Held for 90 minutes each time, focusing only on conversation. A small-scale matchmaking event with 6 men and 6 women.
• Skill-Up Seminar & Networking Event
  A program where participants can learn “skills” useful for future matchmaking in a seminar format while enjoying a casual networking event.

Among these, the highlight of 2026 is “Kurakon Light”.
With the theme of “visualizing excitement,” a matching system utilizing heart rate visualization technology called “Heart Date” developed by the startup company e-lamp., originating from Keio University, will be introduced.

Please check the following image for details such as the schedule.

Interview with the planners of “Kurashiki Koi Meguri”

We spoke with Kazuya Matsumoto and Sachiko Takami from the Kurashiki Migration and Settlement Promotion Office, and Shoya Tsuda from e-lamp., who are planning and managing “Kurashiki Koi Meguri.”

Please tell us about the intention behind the planning of “Kurashiki Koi Meguri.”

Takami (no honorifics)

Kurashiki City holds matchmaking events every year, and this year we have prepared three programs: “Kurakon,” “Kurakon Light,” and “Matchmaking Seminar” to provide opportunities for everyone to meet.

“Kurakon” is an experience-based matchmaking event. Participants deepen their interactions while enjoying tourism and event elements, and finally, matching takes place.

“Kurakon Light” is an event for those who are not good at large gatherings, focusing on conversation. Participants gather around a theme such as hobbies, and instead of matching, they can freely exchange contact information, making it easy to participate.

“Matchmaking Seminar” serves as an entry point for event participation, where participants learn how to introduce themselves and points to be careful about from instructors, followed by a program that includes a networking event as practice.

What are the differences from last year and the highlights of this year?

Matsumoto (no honorifics)

In fact, the major pillars of the project (experience-based events, seminars) have not changed significantly from last year.

Efforts like “Kurakon Light,” which provides a casual meeting space, also started last year. This time, we want to focus on attracting participants and the content of “Kurakon Light.”

I heard that you named this project “Kurashiki Koi Meguri.” Please tell us the thoughts behind this name.

Tsuda (no honorifics)

This marriage support project by Kurashiki City has three pillars, and we envision it as a series of experiences that connect, such as “learning in seminars and then participating in events.”

We named it together with our company representative Ayumi Yamamoto, with the hope that the knowledge gained will be effectively utilized as participants “circulate” through the events.

Please tell us the features of “Kurakon Light.”

Tsuda

“Kurakon Light” is a small group event with 6 men and 6 women per session, each with a theme (such as travel lovers, sports enthusiasts) for all 10 sessions.

Each session lasts 90 minutes, and the participation fee is uniformly 500 yen, making it very light and easy to participate in both time and cost. Some sessions will use board games to spark conversation.

What we are most focused on is providing an experience that is a hybrid of a matching app and traditional street parties. Leveraging our strengths as a startup from Keio University that has researched communication, we will introduce a wristband-type heart rate monitor and a dedicated app.

By entering your profile easily in the app beforehand, hints such as “This person has these commonalities” and “It would be good to ask this question” will be provided, allowing even those who are not good at communication to engage in conversation naturally.

Additionally, after the event, recommendations such as “How about contacting them about this?” and “Why not invite them on this date?” will be provided, which is a significant feature that supports relationship building afterward.

Finally, please give a message to the readers.

Takami

We have prepared a variety of menus to meet the diverse needs of both beginners and experienced participants. I believe there will be events with themes that will pique your interest, so whether you come alone or invite friends, please feel free to participate.

Additionally, as a benefit, those who participate in the “Matchmaking Seminar” will receive a coupon for 500 yen off the participation fee when they later join “Kurakon,” so please take advantage of it.

Tsuda

Please feel free to sign up for any of the events and come to the venue. No special preparation is necessary.

With the support of our technology and staff, we will guide you to feel that “I was able to talk well” and “I had fun.” Please come with a relaxed mindset and enjoy the experience.

Conclusion

I have never participated in a matchmaking event, but I had the impression that it would be costly and time-consuming, requiring a certain level of preparation and commitment.

Of course, some people may find that appealing.
However, for those who might take the first step by participating in something inexpensive and short like “Kurakon Light,”

there are modern initiatives using apps and other technologies.
For those interested, including those who want to experience such technology, why not consider participating?

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