Learning and Playing Week
Human resource development × Tourism = Globally co-creation to realize the X-salon concept
X-salon concept co-creation team
We transmit and discuss "X-salon concept", a human resource development program for business travelers through experience the Adventure travel ,that we are planning and co-creating with the local parties in Tokachi.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- nature positive
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.07.17[Thu]
14:00 ～ 16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
１．Opening Remarks: Mr. Odagiri, President, SPACE COTAN Inc.
２．What is X-salon?: Mr. Saneshige, Deputy Director, Obihiro Development and Construction Department
３．Introduction to X-salon Program ①:
Mr. Arai, Senior Managing Director, Destination Tokachi Inc.
Mr. Iwata, Representative, Mitsuboshi Group
Mr. Aramaki, Executive, Snow Peak Inc.
４．Introduction to X-salon Program ②:
Mr. Soda, Advisor, Tokachi Urahoro Gakusha (General Incorporated Association)
Mr. Koga, Tokachi Urahoro Gakusha (General Incorporated Association)
Mr. Tamaoki, CEO, Legacy’ll Inc.
５．X-talk (Panel Discussion) on X-salon with Experts:
Mr. Arai, Senior Managing Director, Destination Tokachi Inc.
Mr. Soda, Advisor, Tokachi Urahoro Gakusha (General Incorporated Association)
Mr. Kuniya, Representative, Adventure Area Consulting Inc.
Mr. Kudoh, Representative, Sky Plus (Facilitator)
６．Closing Remarks: Mr. Homma, Deputy General Manager, Business Co-Creation Promotion Headquarters, Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd.
Reports
【Reflection】
In Tokachi, Hokkaido, we are collaboratively planning with local stakeholders a new style of human resource development—X-salon, which focuses on “travel” and “people.” After outlining the characteristics of X-salon, we will introduce concrete examples from program providers and participants. Through this element of “play,” we are confident that participants can acquire the “learning” needed in the coming AI era.
The outline of this program is as follows:
○What is X-salon?
・X-salon is a new form of human resource development that promotes active and voluntary personal growth by “playing” with “others” in “nature.”
・The uniqueness of X-salon:
①Experiences unique to the region that sharpen the five senses
②Interaction with people one would not usually meet
③Reflection and dialogue to internalize the experience
○X-salon Program Introduction ①
〈Background〉
・Tokachi is a region with a deeply rooted DNA of private-sector pioneering spirit, home to many people engaged in challenging initiatives.
・We collaborate with leaders such as Mr. Iwata, who values relationships with the local community and works with travelers and participants to discover regional value through experiences with Snow Peak, as well as creating bonfire communities that foster natural connections.
〈Program Content〉
・Icebreakers such as curling to encourage communication among participants.
・Enriching sessions such as talks by farmers and other bold entrepreneurs whose work involves challenges beyond human-to-human interaction.
○X-salon Program Introduction ②
〈Background〉
・Next-generation leaders face the difficult challenge of both growing revenue and delivering social value.
・Urahoro Town offers values that cannot be seen from the perspective of working only in a big-city office.
〈Program Content〉
・Each day is set around a theme—“Life and Economy,” “Ideal and Reality,” “Present and Future”—with experiential content designed to evoke these themes. Participants engage in dialogues to deepen their questions based on what they have experienced.
・To promote genuine, down-to-earth interactions, participants deliberately do not disclose their job titles until the end of the trip.
○X-talk
〈Strengths of X-salon〉
・Access to the local living environment normally hidden from outsiders.
・Opportunities for meaningful interaction among people from diverse backgrounds.
・Development of individuals who can consider issues from multiple perspectives.
〈Who Should Participate in X-salon〉
・Corporate executives (department head level and above) with a broad perspective.
・Those facing the “midlife crisis” stage, feeling uncertainty.
・Ambitious young people who, even if not immediately, aim to broaden their perspective in the future.
・Individuals seeking to take on challenges overseas.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Through this symposium, we gained insights into the concept of X-salon and the direction of its tour content. The X-salon Co-Creation Team will continue discussions on refining the target audience, enhancing promotional approaches, and developing methods to further increase contributions to the local community. Our aim is to create a more sophisticated tour while also using X-salon as a platform to promote the appeal of Tokachi and implement initiatives that lead to an increase in exchange population.
In addition, the latest information and details regarding post-event initiatives will be posted on the website listed below under “More Information” as it becomes available.
Cast
Speakers
Yoshinori Odagiri
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. President & CEO
Yoshinori Odagiri started his career at All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) in 1987, focusing on flight operations management. After leading operational teams at Narita and Haneda Airports, he became Deputy Director of the Asia Strategy Office in 2011 and joined AirAsia Japan as a founding member, serving as CEO from 2012. In 2016, he joined ANA Strategic Research Institute, conducting studies on the revitalization of domestic airports for local governments and airport managers. He has served as President & CEO of SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. since April 2021.
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Takayuki Saneshige
Deputy Director General,Obihiro Development Construction Department,Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau
Joined the Ministry of Land,Infrastructure,Transport and Tourism in 2011.After serving in various roles including Director of the Tourism Planning Division at the Hokkaido District Transport Bureau and Assistant Director of the Regional Development Division at the Japan Tourism Agency,he assumed the position of Deputy Director-General of the Obihiro Development and Construction Department at the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau in 2023. While at the Hokkaido District Transport Bureau, he was deeply involved in promoting adventure travel, and in 2021, he co-authored the book The Complete Guide to Adventure Travel.
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Shinngo Iwata
Mitsuboshi group Representative
He is the fifth-generation successor of Mitsuboshi Group, a materials manufacturer founded in 1887. After graduating from Keio University, he worked at Mitsubishi Corporation and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) before taking over the family business in 2010. Since then, he has driven several key initiatives including the company’s expansion into Europe, the launch of its own brand, the ReBirthWOOL project focused on wool recycling and circularity, and the creation of TAKIBI & Co.—a co-creation hub for next-generation family business successors and startups. Through these efforts, he is reimagining the role of a traditional manufacturer in a modern, sustainable economy.
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Kakeru Arai
Destination Tokachi Managing Director
Born in 1990. After graduating high school, he launched a smartphone repair business. Following a move to a rural area, he became involved in various projects including the revitalization of a local hot spring facility, new business ventures, and regional development initiatives. In 2021, he joined Snow Peak Inc. and, in the same year, was appointed Executive Vice President of Destination Tokachi Inc., a regional Destination Management Organization (DMO) in Hokkaido’s Tokachi area. He continues to work at the intersection of business innovation and community revitalization.
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Syota Aramaki
Destination Tokachi Business Planning Department Executive
Born in 1993. Joined Snow Peak Inc. as a new graduate and gained experience working at three different retail locations. He then took part in the Mizbering Project, a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism initiative, where he was responsible for implementing strategies in Niigata City. After that, she focused on experience development, served as a secretary in the President’s Office, and later managed the operations of a lodging and multi-use facility. Currently, he works in the Business Planning Department, where he is leading the launch of Snow Peak’s fly-fishing business.
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Tamaoki Hiroki
Legacy’ll Co. , Ltd. CEO
Joined Rakuten, Inc. in 2010, where he was engaged in sales for new store openings on Rakuten Ichiba. In 2016, he transitioned to Salesforce.com Co., Ltd., working for four years as an individual contributor and three years as a manager. In 2023, he founded Legacy'll Inc., which specializes in consulting services for strengthening inside sales organizations.
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Yushi Soda
Tokachi Urahoro Gakusha Advisor
Advisor to a community development company promoting solutions to local issues in the town of Urahoro, and head of the “Urahoro Academia,” which will be the focus of today's discussion. He is also involved in education and human resource development projects in both Hokkaido and Tokyo. His first career was as a professional soccer player in the J.League, where he played for nine seasons.
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Eihu Koga
Tokachi Urahoro Gakusha
Born in 1996 in Engaru, Hokkaido. After graduating from the Faculty of Education at Hokkaido University, he began working in 2019 as a member of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team in Urahoro. Since 2022, he has been part of Tokachi Urahoro Gakusha, an organization with the mission of "building a society that connects to the next generation." He is involved in planning and managing initiatives such as “Urahoro Academia” and “AgriDive,” an agricultural internship program for university students.
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Yohji Kudoh
SkyPlus Representative
Originally from Hakodate, with a professional background in fields such as advertising sales and hotel operations. Served as a member of the Obihiro City Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team until March 2025, specializing in the promotion of adventure travel. Since April, operating independently in the private sector while continuing to contribute to the comprehensive advancement of tourism in the Tokachi region.
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Yuki Kuniya
Adventure Area Consulting Representative director
After graduating from Keio University, he joined a travel agency, working in sales, marketing, and later in the think tank division on business strategy support. In 2017, he began collaborating with ATTA, serving as Asia regional manager. After his ATTA contract ended in March 2022, he founded Adventure Area Consulting. He now works with ministries and local regions on regional system building and human resource development.
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Hisashi Homma
NIPPN TRAVEL AGENCY CO.,LTD.
I joined Nippon Travel Agency, Japan's oldest travel agency, which celebrated its 120th anniversary in business. After working in corporate sales and sales management, I currently belongs to the Business Co-Creation Promotion Division, a department responsible for new business development and regional development centered on tourism. In the Tokachi area of Hokkaido, he manages the operation of sightseeing and inspection programs, with a particular focus on the Hokkaido Space Port in Taiki Town.
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Learning and Playing Week
Human resource development × Tourism = Globally co-creation to realize the X-salon concept
We transmit and discuss "X-salon concept", a human resource development program for business travelers through experience the Adventure travel ,that we are planning and co-creating with the local parties in Tokachi.
-
2025.07.17[Thu]
14:00～16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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Learning and Playing Week
