Interview with Ogino Sana
We interviewed Ogino Sana, the Planning and Public Relations Manager at KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD., about her thoughts on mt factory tour vol.14.
An event connecting fans with each other and with KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD.
I heard that the mt factory tour is like a pilgrimage for mt fans.
Ogino (no honorifics)
Thank you.
The fans of mt are truly warm-hearted. This mt factory tour is also a place where mt fans gather once a year. It’s interesting that it’s a place where connections between customers and fans are born.
Many of our customers are very homey and friendly, asking us, “Are you doing well?” and “I came again this year,” treating us like family, so we look forward to this event every year.
The fans are mainly women in their 40s and 50s, but recently, their children’s generation has also been attending, so I feel that the range of participants is expanding year by year.
I want to make it an event that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Can you tell us about the application status for the pre-event lottery?
Ogino
We received about 14,000 applications for 12,000 spots.
This time, due to reducing the number of weekday buses, the number of spots available has decreased.
Also, the tour was free to participate in until last time, but this time we are charging a participation fee of 500 yen, which has also lowered the odds.
In addition to the lottery, those who have collected stamps through the stamp app by participating in mt events can also participate.
However, some people may cancel due to personal circumstances. Therefore, a few spots on each bus will be available for standby. I encourage those who were not selected in the lottery or felt that one visit was not enough to take advantage of the standby option and come.
From which regions are participants coming?
Ogino
Many customers come from the Chugoku region, including Okayama Prefecture, as well as from the neighboring Kansai region.
However, since mt is loved worldwide, last time we even had someone come from Taiwan, the farthest distance.
mt also holds events overseas, and in addition to having held events in Taiwan, we plan to hold events in Europe in 2025.
We want to spread mt from our headquarters factory in Kurashiki to the world.
Focus on the wrapping inside the venue
Can you tell us about the popular corners from previous years and this year's highlights?
Ogino
The outlet corner adjacent to the festival corner has been popular every year.
Here, rare goods other than masking tape, such as collaboration products with Hasami ware that were sold in the past, are lined up. Moreover, since it’s an outlet, the prices are affordable, so many fans seem to be aiming for this spot.
This time, since the theme is “Looking back at mt,” I would like you to pay attention to the wrapping inside the venue.
At the events when mt first started, we decorated the venue with colorful masking tape of 100mm and 50mm widths using the hands of our headquarters employees. You will find decorations where the tape is arranged in stripes, so please pay attention to that.
There will also be sales of masking tape inspired by this stripe pattern.
Additionally, I would like you to stop by the shop “mt CASA shop” near the bus stop.
Here, there is a workshop where you can actually shrink-wrap the products you choose yourself. It’s a unique experience that you can only have during the factory tour, so please consider this experience time when you explore the venue.
Some customers utilize the standby option to visit multiple days, so we are constantly trying to ensure that everyone can enjoy it no matter how many times they come.
Enjoying the city of Kurashiki through the event
I hear that events are being held not only at the headquarters factory but also at support shops during the period.
Ogino
This event is made possible with the cooperation of the local people of Kurashiki.
Many of the support shops for this event are long-established shops in Kurashiki. We are filled with gratitude that local shops are participating as support shops and are happy to handle original masking tape.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Ogino
We are holding this event with the hope that through mt factory tour vol.14, everyone will fully enjoy the city of Kurashiki where mt was born. Please savor not only mt but also your stay in Kurashiki.
Conclusion
I first learned about the existence of the mt factory tour around 2015. At that time, as a stationery lover attending a university in Tohoku, it was one of the places I wanted to visit “someday.”
It was far from Tohoku to Kurashiki, and since it was a lottery-based event, I couldn’t visit easily, but when I learned about the standby system, I thought, “I could have just come to Kurashiki for now!” It was an eye-opener.
Inside the venue, there are many moments where participants share and allow each other to see the products they want to see, creating a homey atmosphere. I was overwhelmed by the many goods and experiences that can only be obtained by coming to the venue.
I hope this event continues to be a reason for someone to come to Kurashiki and an event that fosters familiarity with the products made in Kurashiki among the local people.
Even if you read this article, there is still time to participate in this year's factory tour, so why not give it a try?
Articles about KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD.
Data for mt factory tour vol.14
| Name | mt factory tour vol.14 |
|---|---|
| Date | March 20, 2025 (Thursday) to April 2, 2025 (Wednesday) |
| Location | 236 Katashima-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 500 yen |
| Website | mt factory tour |
