Fiscal 2016 Activities

What does it mean to learn "city design" in the Faculty of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Social Studies course? The answer is to think about what to do to create a better city and then put those ideas into practice.
As an increasing number of towns fall into decline due to various factors, there is a growing need for people with the ability to propose and execute new projects that will make the most of the town's resources and attract visitors.
They explore the town's lesser known charms, such as its people, culture, history and industry, with their own eyes and feet, and create a plan that will make tourists want to visit. As an active learning exercise to cultivate this ability, three students, Nakano Tomohito (graduated from Kashiwai High School), Horiai Toru (graduated from Funabashi Kowagama High School) and Hotta Chisato (graduated from Togane High School), worked on creating a revitalization proposal for Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. They presented their idea at the "Tourism and Town Development Contest for University Students" and won the Aomori Prefectural Governor's Award, which is equivalent to second place.
We will report on the path to receiving the award.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is conducting fieldwork on site with the aim of revitalizing Hirosaki city, and is carrying out learning activities in which students give presentations to local residents, including those at the city hall, about the attractions and challenges they have discovered from their own perspective.
After learning about Hirosaki City's current situation and issues, the role of tourism, and regional revitalization in advance, the students undertook fieldwork on-site for three days and two nights. They interacted with local residents through agricultural experiences and private lodgings, and on the following day they cycled around the city to conduct the research necessary to materialize their plan. By interacting with local residents and seeing the local resources with their own eyes, they felt a stronger desire to "revitalize the town," "spread the appeal of the town," and "live up to the expectations of the local community."

The plan of the team led by Nakano-san is a wedding that utilizes two local resources: apples from Hirosaki City and the tourist attraction Hirosaki Castle. The concept is that two people who met because of the flower language of apples, "chosen love," will form a strong and long-lasting bond by holding their wedding at Hirosaki Castle, which has a history of over 400 years and stone walls that have never collapsed. The wedding reception toast will be made with apple cider, the wedding cake will be made of apple pie, and the wedding favors will include entertainment with Tsugaru shamisen and hospitality with local cuisine, and the plan will involve the entire industry of Hirosaki City. The couple who hold the wedding will be given an apple sapling as a gift. It seems that we can expect a repeat effect every year when the apples are harvested. A wedding in traditional Japanese clothing at a Japanese-style castle will attract foreign tourists. The expectations are growing, and I think that is what was evaluated in the contest.

The day after receiving the award, they went to Hirosaki City Hall to report the award. This plan could only have been conceived precisely because Hirosaki is a city full of charm, and it was only possible because the local people had warmly welcomed the students. Mayor Kasai also gave it high praise, and expressed his high hopes for the students to "make the 'Hirosaki Wedding' a reality!" Will the "Love Spreads, Pride, and Proud of Hirosaki Wedding" come to fruition, or will they come up with a new plan? Please look forward to what the students of the Social Studies course have to offer.