When you hear "the work of local government," what kind of work do you imagine?
Many people may envision window service and administrative tasks, but the work of the city office is not limited to that. It plays a role in various fields related to daily life.
The job fair event "Kurashiki Shigoto Expo," where you can hear directly from young staff about the diverse and attractive jobs in Kurashiki City, was held on March 7, 2026 (Saturday).
We will report on the day's events.
What is "Kurashiki Shigoto Expo"
"Kurashiki Shigoto Expo" is a job fair event held on March 7, 2026 (Saturday) for those interested in the work of the Kurashiki City Office. It is organized by Kurashiki City.
The venue was divided into four booths, where participants could learn about the diverse jobs of the city.
- Explanation Booth introducing the work of each department (administrative, technical, qualified, and firefighting)
- Exhibition Booth for work clothes and tools
- "KuraCafe" where you can casually interact with staff
- Event booth for experiencing mock interviews and mock group discussions
Not only can you learn about the job descriptions, but you can also engage in exam preparation and interact with young staff, which are the main features of Kurashiki Shigoto Expo.
I believe it was an event where there was no stiff atmosphere, and participants could truly experience the vibe of the city.
The Day's Events
The Kurashiki Shigoto Expo was held at the newly established Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Center of the Kurashiki City Office.
After completing the registration, let's head inside.
Understand the Work of the City Office! Explanation Booth
The first booth I visited was the Explanation Booth, where I could learn about the job descriptions of various positions. The spacious room was lined with desks and chairs.
Here, I could hear about the following 13 booths.
- Administrative positions (Citizen Affairs Division/Tax Division/Human Resources Division/Lifelong Learning Division/Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Office/Digital Government Promotion Office/Funao Branch Office/Kojima Branch Office)
- Civil Engineering Technical Positions
- Mechanical and Electrical Technical Positions
- Chemical and Architectural Technical Positions
- Nutritionists
- Public Health Nurses
- Firefighting Positions
Each booth was decorated with items related to the job descriptions, which made me stop and take a look. The Civil Engineering Technical booth had manhole covers from Kurashiki City scattered around.
I will also take a look around, mingling with the job seekers.
At the Citizen Affairs Division, they carefully explained the work of each section, such as the My Number Card section and the Family Registry section. Even within administrative positions, it is clear that the work is diverse.
At the Lifelong Learning Division booth, pamphlets and panels of events planned by the division were displayed. It conveyed that this work requires collaboration and cooperation with various stakeholders, rather than just solitary desk work.
When I was shown some of the slides used during the explanation, they were filled with information that job seekers would be interested in, such as "Daily Schedule" and "What I Liked/Found Difficult about Working at Kurashiki City Office".
"Disaster Response" may be a unique challenge for city employees. It is impressive to see how all staff members, regardless of their position, sincerely convey not only the rewarding aspects but also the challenges they face.
At the Funao Branch Office and Kojima Branch Office booths, there were charming caricatures and photos displayed. The branch offices have closer interactions with the community, receiving caricatures from local kindergartens and hosting visits from local preschoolers.
I was told that the branch offices are "the most accessible administrative windows for everyone in the community". I think it's an important point to understand the differences between the main office and the branch offices when working at the city office.
Next, I also visited the qualified, technical, and firefighting booths.
It may be a rare opportunity to speak as a citizen with these professions, but at Kurashiki Shigoto Expo, you can have in-depth conversations. Personally, I was surprised by the variety of positions where technical skills and qualifications can be utilized.
Technical positions are dedicated to maintaining public facilities used by many citizens, as well as environmental improvement and nature conservation, contributing to the creation of a comfortable living environment. There were also instances where questions were asked about the differences from private companies.
At the firefighting booth, I was able to see firefighting uniforms and equipment used on-site up close. The firefighting uniforms used in actual firefighting activities had a faint smell of smoke.
The firefighting profession has a unique work structure. I couldn't imagine what a 24-hour shift would be like, but I was able to learn clearly from the panel exhibition.
At every booth, there were many participants actively asking questions.
Questions that might be difficult to ask in a regular briefing, such as "Can you take proper breaks?", "Is there holiday pay?", and "Please tell me about the benefits", were also raised, and the staff responded carefully to alleviate the participants' concerns.
They also discussed the ease of taking childcare leave and maternity leave, as well as the ease of raising children, making it possible to feel the appeal beyond just the job content.
Additionally, it was impressive that many questions comparing with private companies were raised.
A mid-career employee who was asked about the merits of both private and public sectors shared, "The appeal of being a Kurashiki City employee is that there is generally no transfer outside the city, making it easier to plan future life", incorporating their own experience.
Answers from someone who knows both environments should provide great reassurance for those struggling with their career paths.
Exhibition of Work Tools and Work Clothes
At the explanation booth venue, the work tools used by city employees were on display.
The large cross-shaped manhole key is said to be used to open heavy manhole covers. It seems to have been used for many years, showing signs of age.
Work clothes were also on display.
There is a rich variety, including denim jackets that promote Kurashiki's proud textile industry and polo shirts printed with the city's mascot character.
KuraCafe: A Place to Interact with Young Staff
Next, I visited the venue of "KuraCafe", which was filled with a lively atmosphere.
KuraCafe is a place where you can interact casually with young staff. Conversations were lively at each table, ranging from job content and job hunting consultations to casual questions.
A young staff member offers advice to participants who are anxious about job hunting, saying, "Job hunting is not everything".
I believe they can empathize with the concerns of participants who are close in age, which allows them to be supportive.
Event Booth for Mock Interviews & Mock Group Discussions
I also visited the event booth where mock interviews and mock group discussions could be experienced.
The first activity was a mock interview. Six participants who volunteered were divided into interviewers and interviewees to conduct a Q&A session.
Questions that might be asked in actual interviews, such as "Why did you choose Kurashiki City among other municipalities?", "Why do you want to work in the public sector?", and "What job do you want to challenge at the city office?", were posed, and the participants in the role of interviewees took turns answering.
Not only did they practice responding as interviewees, but by intentionally experiencing the perspective of the interviewer, they could learn objectively about the points that the hiring side focuses on.
After a break, the mock group discussion was conducted next.
Participants were divided into groups of six or seven to discuss based on the provided themes.
The first theme was "Are you for or against a three-day weekend?". The second theme was "Are you for or against side jobs for public servants?". Both themes are issues that could generate numerous merits and demerits.
While discussing with people they just met, they work together to find answers.
Both the mock interview and the mock group discussion received feedback from young staff afterward.
While it is possible to prepare for interviews using school career guidance or career centers, opportunities to actually experience group discussions are surprisingly limited. I believe it was a valuable opportunity for participants to prepare.
Near the exit of the venue, a lottery event featuring Kurashiki's local products was held.
It was filled with playful elements that allowed participants to experience the charm of the region, making it perfect for the final enjoyment.
Conclusion
After covering the Kurashiki Work Expo, I felt it was more than just a job fair.
Listening to the real experiences of young staff and being able to consult directly about job-hunting concerns was the biggest appeal of this event, as it allowed for two-way communication.
Interacting with people who work, rather than just relying on information through a screen, may be important when choosing a job.
I hope that the Kurashiki Work Expo inspires more people who aspire to "make Kurashiki a better place."
Data on the Kurashiki Work Expo
| Name | Kurashiki Work Expo |
|---|---|
| Date | March 7, 2026 (Saturday) From 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Location | 640 Nishinakaida, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, 1st floor of the Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Center |
| Website | Kurashiki City Employee Recruitment Site |
