A new workplace, new colleagues, a new life.
For some new employees who have just taken their first steps as working adults, every day may feel like one long stretch of nerves.
Kurashiki City held the “Welcome Ceremony for New School Graduates Starting Work” for people newly employed at businesses in Kurashiki City and Hayashima Town. This event welcoming new employees is said to have begun in 1973.
Here’s a report on what the 2026 event was like.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in May 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Welcome Ceremony for New School Graduates Starting Work”?
The “Welcome Ceremony for New School Graduates Starting Work” has been held continuously since 1973, giving it a history of more than 50 years. It is a longstanding annual event unique to Kurashiki, where the city has welcomed new employees as a community. The event was held in the main hall of Kurashiki Civic Hall.
It is for new school graduates and second-career hires (generally within 10 years of graduation) who have found jobs at businesses in the Kurashiki area (Kurashiki City and Hayashima Town). Its purpose is not only to welcome new employees, but also to foster their attachment to Kurashiki and help them settle into their workplaces.
The event is hosted by Kurashiki City, together with the Kurashiki Central Employment Development Association, the city’s chambers of commerce, the Kurashiki City Shopping District Association, the Kurashiki Central Public Employment Security Office, and others. This citywide system for welcoming new employees is another distinctive feature of the event.
The event consists of two parts: a ceremony and an exchange program
Several buses were parked at Kurashiki Civic Hall, the venue, and many fresh-faced new employees arrived wearing their new company uniforms and suits.
The 2026 event drew 482 participants from 60 companies, making for quite a lively gathering.
The event consisted of two parts: a ceremony and the Kurashiki Discovery and Exchange Program.
At the ceremony, the mayor and senior employees offer words of welcome
The ceremony opened to the sound of the Kurashiki City song. As all the participants recited the Kurashiki City Charter together, the mood grew solemn.
Mayor Ito Kaori, who spoke on behalf of the organizers, offered words of encouragement to the participants.
She spoke about the richness of this city, made up of distinctive areas such as the Bikan Historical Area, Tamashima, Kojima, and the Mizushima Industrial Complex. “Kurashiki is a city that attracts attention from around the world. In 2023, for example, it hosted the G7 Hiroshima Summit Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting. You are the people who will shape this city,” she said.
Next, speaking on behalf of the senior employees, was Sumimoto Yuki of Kurashiki Ivy Square Co., Ltd.
Sumimoto’s message was, “Stay humble.”
He said that he had heard these words repeatedly from many senior colleagues before and after starting work, and that their significance had gradually become clearer as he gained experience.
His story about how maintaining a humble attitude led senior colleagues to approach him more often must have resonated with the participants as a relatable, real-world message.
Offering a message of thanks on behalf of the participants was Hirai Shunichiro of Mizushima Shinkin Bank.
His words, “I will continue to work hard every day so that I can become a working adult who contributes to the local community without forgetting my original aspirations,” seemed to reflect the feelings of everyone gathered in the hall.
The second part, the Kurashiki Discovery and Exchange Program, is a chance to relax and have fun
After the ceremony came the “Kurashiki Discovery and Exchange Program.”
It was hosted by entertainer Sakamoto Daisuke and freelance announcer Nakashima Chiaki. Both are from Kurashiki, and their easy rapport helped put the audience at ease.
At the start, they introduced the “Takata Orimono Co., Ltd. original tatami-edge card case” and tatami-edge coaster, distributed as commemorative gifts. Made using tatami edging, a traditional Kurashiki industry, they came in two colors: denim and white. The card case features an original design and is a distinctly Kurashiki item.
Discovering unexpected sides of one another: “Actually, I’m ○○”
In one of the exchange activities, “Actually, I’m ○○,” participants who identified with a prompt from the hosts all raised red cards at once.
When asked, “Who is from Kurashiki?” around 70 to 80 percent of the audience raised their cards, highlighting how many participants were local. Many were also from elsewhere in Okayama Prefecture.
The most exciting prompt was, “Who is confident they come from the farthest away?” Participants came from Kagoshima, Hokkaido, and eventually even overseas. People from Mexico and Nepal came forward, prompting loud applause.
Seeing participants who had chosen to work in Kurashiki from their hometowns, distant places, and around the world gave us a renewed sense of how far-reaching this event is.
Everyone gets excited with “Quiz! Kurashiki King,” which makes you love Kurashiki even more
The highlight of the day was “Quiz! Kurashiki King.”
Teams made up of coworkers, as well as teams formed across company lines, took on a buzzer quiz. The answering team changed with each question, giving everyone a chance to participate.
But this was no ordinary quiz. A strict rule required participants to give the “official name” as the answer to questions about Kurashiki.
The first question asked for the name of the summer tradition, “Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival.”
When the first team answered, “Kurashiki Tenryo Festival!” the host, Sakamoto, ruled, “Close! You’re missing ‘summer’!” From then on, the answers went off track.
Answers such as “Yosakoi Festival,” “Awa Odori,” and “Kurashiki Bon Dance” brought laughter from the audience.
The answer to the final question was “sweet pea.”
Funao is known as one of Japan’s leading production areas for this flower, and January 27 has been designated Sweet Pea Day as a play on words meaning “Good Funao.”
The flower’s language is “new beginnings.” The quiz gave everyone a fresh appreciation of Kurashiki’s charms.
Near the end of the quiz, Kurashiki’s traditional characters, the Suinkyo, also made an appearance. Being gently tapped on the head with a fan is said to bring good fortune, making you “wiser” and helping you “stay healthy.” Participants offered their heads for a gentle tap.
Participants were also delighted by the generous prizes, including delicious foods and goods associated with Kurashiki City.
Teams that answered correctly received special prizes such as a Bukkake udon souvenir set, a jam gift set from Miyake Shoten, a Kurashiki Canvas pouch, and a Betty Smith tote bag. Even teams that didn’t answer correctly received a participation prize for each member.
The hope that people will “work in Kurashiki, learn about Kurashiki, and come to love it”
What came through at the gathering was the organizers’ hope that new employees would not only deepen their connections with one another, but also “learn more about Kurashiki, the city where they’ll be working, and grow to love it.”
This gathering has continued for more than 50 years, since 1973.
From the dignified atmosphere of the ceremony to the laughter-filled exchanges during the social program, I could feel how warmly Kurashiki welcomes its new employees.
When April comes, I often see people who look like they might be new employees when I go to shops or ride the train. I hope they enjoy working in Kurashiki, eating Kurashiki’s delicious food, taking care of their health, and having a good time.
2026 Welcome Event for New School Graduates Starting Work Information
| Name | 2026 Welcome Event for New School Graduates Starting Work |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, April 9, 2026 2:00 p.m.–4:15 p.m. |
| Location | Kurashiki Civic Hall |
| Participation fee (tax included) | ¥1,500 per person ¥2,500 if using the shuttle bus |
| Website | Welcome Event for New (School Graduate) Employees |
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