A new workplace, new colleagues, a new life.
For new employees who have just taken their first steps as working adults, it may be a continuous series of tensions every day.
In Kurashiki City, an event called "New Graduate Employment Welcome Ceremony" was held for those who have newly joined businesses in Kurashiki City and Hayashima Town. This ceremony to welcome new employees is said to have started in 1973.
I will report on what kind of event the 2026 ceremony was and how it went on the day.
What is the "New Graduate Employment Welcome Ceremony"?
The "New Graduate Employment Welcome Ceremony" has been held continuously since 1973, marking over 50 years of history. It is a unique annual event in Kurashiki City where the community has welcomed new employees for many years. The ceremony took place at the Kurashiki Civic Hall large hall.
The target audience includes new graduates who have joined businesses in the Kurashiki area (Kurashiki City and Hayashima Town) and those who are second new graduates (generally within 10 years of graduation). The purpose is not only to welcome new employees but also to foster affection for Kurashiki and help them settle into their workplaces.
The event is organized by a coalition including Kurashiki City, the Kurashiki Central Employment Development Association, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Kurashiki City Shopping District Federation, and the Kurashiki Central Public Employment Security Office, showcasing a well-prepared system for welcoming new employees.
The ceremony consists of two parts: the formal ceremony and the networking session
At the venue, Kurashiki Civic Hall, several buses were parked, and many fresh new employees dressed in their new company uniforms and suits attended.
The 2026 ceremony had 60 companies and 482 participants, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
The ceremony consists of two parts: the formal ceremony and the Kurashiki Charm Discovery Networking Session.
In the formal ceremony, the mayor and senior employees give welcoming speeches
The ceremony opened with the Kurashiki City song playing in the background. When all participants recited the Kurashiki City Citizen Charter together, it created a sense of solemnity.
Representing the organizers, Mayor Ito Kaori gave a speech to the participants, offering them encouragement.
She spoke about the richness of this town, which is home to unique areas such as the Bikan Historical Area, Tamashima, Kojima, and the Mizushima Industrial Complex, and said, "Kurashiki is a town that has attracted global attention, as seen with the G7 Hiroshima Summit's Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting held in 2023. You all are the ones who will carry this town forward."
Next, representing senior employees, Mr. Sumimoto Yuki from Kurashiki Ivy Square Co., Ltd. took the stage.
Mr. Sumimoto shared the words "Be humble."
He mentioned that the weight of this phrase, which many seniors told him before and after employment, has gradually become more apparent as he gained experience.
His story about how maintaining a humble attitude increased opportunities for seniors to reach out to him likely resonated with the participants as a relatable and real message.
The representative who expressed gratitude on behalf of the participants was Mr. Hirai Shunichiro from Mizushima Shinkin Bank.
His words, "I will strive daily to become a working adult who can contribute to the community without forgetting my初心 (original intention)," felt like the shared sentiment of all the participants gathered in the venue.
The second part is the Kurashiki Charm Discovery Networking Session where everyone can relax and enjoy
After the formal ceremony, it was time for the Kurashiki Charm Discovery Networking Session.
The hosts were talent Sakamoto Daisuke and freelance announcer Nakajima Chiaki. Both are from Kurashiki, and their well-coordinated exchanges helped to lighten the atmosphere in the venue.
At the beginning, the commemorative gifts distributed to participants were introduced: Takada Orimono Co., Ltd. Original Tatami Edge Card Case + Tatami Edge Coaster. Using tatami edges, a traditional industry of Kurashiki, two color options were provided: denim color and white. The card case features an original design, making it a unique item representative of Kurashiki.
Discovering unexpected sides of each other: "Actually, I am ○○"
One of the networking activities, "Actually, I am ○○," involved participants raising red papers in unison when they identified with a prompt given by the host.
When the prompt was "People from Kurashiki," about 70-80% of the audience raised their papers, highlighting the large number of local participants. There were also many from other areas within Okayama Prefecture.
The most exciting moment came with the prompt "I am confident that I have the farthest hometown." Participants from Kagoshima, Hokkaido, and even overseas joined in. Participants from Mexico and Nepal received a big round of applause.
The presence of participants who chose to work in Kurashiki from both local and distant places, as well as from around the world, reaffirmed the event's reach.
Getting to love Kurashiki more: Excitement with "Quiz! Kurashiki King"
The highlight of the day was the "Quiz! Kurashiki King."
Teams formed by colleagues from the same company or across different companies competed in a buzzer quiz. Each question allowed for a change of answering teams, ensuring everyone had a chance to participate.
However, this quiz was not just any quiz. There was a strict rule that answers to questions related to Kurashiki had to be given in their "official names."
The first question was about the summer event "Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival."
When the first team answered "Kurashiki Tenryo Festival!" the host Sakamoto remarked, "Close! (You are missing 'Summer')." This led to a series of wandering answers.
Answers like "Yosakoi Festival," "Awa Odori," and "Kurashiki Bon Odori" were given, filling the venue with laughter.
The final question's answer was "Sweet Pea."
This flower, known as a major production in the Funao area, has January 27 designated as "Good Funao Day" due to the phonetic similarity.
Its flower language is "New Departure." The quiz helped participants to rediscover the charm of Kurashiki.
Towards the end of the quiz, there was a moment when the traditional Kurashiki character "Suinkyo" made an appearance. When participants were gently tapped on the head with a fan, it was said to bring benefits of "becoming wiser" and "living healthily," and participants offered their heads to be gently tapped.
Additionally, participants were delighted with the luxurious prizes of delicious food and goods related to Kurashiki City.
Bukkake udon souvenir sets, jam gift sets from Miyake Shoten, Kurashiki canvas pouches, and Betty Smith tote bags were among the special prizes for the teams that answered correctly, while all teams that did not answer correctly received participation prizes.
The hope that "I want you to work in Kurashiki, get to know Kurashiki, and love it"
What came through the event was not only the deepening of exchanges among new employees but also the organizers' desire for them to "get to know and love Kurashiki, the city where they will work from now on."
This event has been held for over 50 years since 1973.
From the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony to the laughter-filled interactions during the exchange segment, I felt Kurashiki's heartfelt welcome for new employees.
In April, I often see people who seem to be new employees when I go to stores or ride the train. I hope they work in Kurashiki, enjoy the delicious food of Kurashiki, take care of their health, and have a good time.
Data for the Welcome Ceremony for New Graduates in 2026
| Name | Welcome Ceremony for New Graduates in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | April 9, 2026 (Thursday) 2:00 PM - 4:15 PM |
| Location | Kurashiki Civic Hall |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 1,500 yen per person 2,500 yen if using the shuttle bus |
| Website | Welcome Ceremony for New Graduates |
