K Y O T O

Local Wisdom Experience Local Wisdom Experience

A journey to discover rich wisdom underpinning local lifestyles of Kyoto,
to share and bring together our future society.

Kyoto as a field

The people of Kyoto have nurtured culture and an eye for aesthetics for over 1,200 years. This admiration for beauty fostered creativity as competition grew for creatives to standout and satisfy high standards. It led to pursuit in innovative approaches to nature's gifts.
Taking just a short trip from the city, you’ll find yourself in rich natural landscapes. Here, people live with respect and gratitude for nature, cultivating various life wisdoms.

The unique interaction among people in the urban environment sparks creativity, and the wisdom of living in harmony with nature's blessings has led to a high level of cultural beauty and sophisticated social structures in Kyoto. This wisdom continues to be passed down through generations.
The "KYOTO Local Wisdom Experience", which shines light on the whole of Kyoto including the city to the countryside, offers insights to help realize ideal society and innovation through hands-on experiences and interactions in the local area, in-depth discussions, and workshops.

Four key learning areas of
"KYOTO Local Wisdom Experience"

  • Animistic origins

    From ancient times, gratitude for nature and fear for the power beyond human comprehension have been deeply ingrained into consciousness of Japanese people. This animistic spirit is still deeply embedded in Kyoto’s manufacturing and daily life. By returning to these fundamental human origins and re-examining ourselves from this perspective, we can reassess what we should cherish and understand its significance.

  • Circular ecosystem

    Japanese manufacturing and lifestyle are deeply intertwined with the constant rhythm of natural cycles. By making subtle adjustments to the climate, people have cultivated various wisdom and technology to share and enjoy the blessings of nature brought by each season. These traditions are still passed down in various parts of Kyoto today. Visiting these sites provides an opportunity to contemplate the systems we should nurture in modern society.

  • Long-term time
    perspective

    In Kyoto, where many businesses have been operating for hundreds of years, people perceive things on a time scale differently. They dedicate themselves in their daily activities taking on a perspective where "the present is in the middle of the past and the future." Looking at the present from this viewpoint helps clarify what is important in one's day to day work and distinguish what is not.
  • Creativity that embrace
    tradition and innovation

    From ancient festivals, traditional crafts to cutting-edge technology and art, Kyoto boasts a wide range of elements that blends continuously giving rise to unique industries. Visiting these diverse modern sites allows you to directly encounter and interact with the individuals who are generating new ideas, and would provide opportunities to gain inspiration.

Case Study

Case Study.1
Environmental Solutions Company

Next-Generation Purpose Development Program

In order to help employees who will be leading the company in the future to formulate a mid-term management plan, this program was conducted with the goal of learning sustainable wisdom and thinking through on-site experiences, exchanges, and discussions in the local community. Instead of focusing on a span of 5 or 10 years, the program aimed to consider the purpose (aspiration, corporate value, social significance) looking 50 years ahead and how to apply these insights to future business activities.

Case Study.2
Manufacturing Company

Sustainability Reevaluation Training

At a major manufacturing company in Japan, a training session was provided for departments responsible for promoting sustainability initiatives. Through hands-on experiences and exchanges in the local community, participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the various knowledge and perspectives cultivated in the local area. Subsequently, a workshop was conducted to contemplate what specific actions and considerations should be taken in their daily business operations.

Case Study.3
Global tech company

Training to cultivate inspiration for newly hired employees

We conducted a training program for new-hires, who are expected to play a central role in the company's future. The program included lectures to provide knowledge, fieldwork in the local community, visits to local industries, interactions with stakeholders, and discussions with coordinators. Through these activities, we encouraged individuals to deepen their understanding of how to approach and tackle the challenges presented by the rapidly changing times in Japan and to consider what attitudes they should adopt.

Case Study.4
Design organization

A tour aimed at collaboration between creatorsfrom Taiwan and craftsmen from Kyoto.

A tour was conducted to explore the potential for collaboration between designers from Taiwan, who are familiar with the international market, and artisans from Kyoto. The goal was to facilitate the development of both sides into effective teams through collaboration. By eliciting the thoughts and backgrounds of the craftsmen, and facilitation that sparked discussions with international participants, opportunities for cooperation and collaboration were created.

Case Study.5
Textile Manufacturer and University

The Creator-in-Residence Project

Interior designers from Milan and researchers from the Polytechnic University of Milan visited Japan, staying in the Tango region for about two weeks. The coordination focused on researching the local textile industry and its background, aiming to explore opportunities for high-value market expansion in Europe. The program involved visits and exchanges with local artisans, as well as experiencing the treasures of Tango, including its nature, history, culture, and people's way of life. Additionally, we served as a discussion partner to facilitate the generation of ideas.

  • Seek inspiration
  • Reevaluate purpose
  • Get a glimpse of
    sustainable systems
  • Explore new approaches to manufacturing to pursue higher qualities
  • Research local knowledge

"KYOTO Local Wisdom Experience" offers tours and training programs tailored to your needs and preferences. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your preferences. Below are examples of objective based examples of our programs that...

Testimonials

  • New-hire training

    I strongly realized the importance of knowing my own roots, as well as the significance of physically visiting, speaking, listening, and sharing. It was an opportunity for me to further pride myself on our services. I aim to articulate what I learned and connect it to the growth of other team members.
    (Global tech company)

  • Creator in Residence
    Project Coordination

    Coming to Tango has been a very unique opportunity for me, both as a designer and traveler. Doing research in a place where the textile tradition is still tangible nowadays is very valuable for designers. The great hospitality and kindness of coordinator made me feel comfortable strolling around, searching for inspiration and taking some relaxation as a very important part of my stay in Japan.
    (TEXTILE DESIGNER FROM MILAN)

New-hire training

I strongly realized the importance of knowing my own roots, as well as the significance of physically visiting, speaking, listening, and sharing. It was an opportunity for me to further pride myself on our services. I aim to articulate what I learned and connect it to the growth of other team members.
(Global tech company)

Creator in Residence
Project Coordination

Coming to Tango has been a very unique opportunity for me, both as a designer and traveler. Doing research in a place where the textile tradition is still tangible nowadays is very valuable for designers. The great hospitality and kindness of coordinator made me feel comfortable strolling around, searching for inspiration and taking some relaxation as a very important part of my stay in Japan.
(TEXTILE DESIGNER FROM MILAN)

About "KYOTO Local Wisdom Experience"

  1. 1

    Networking with diverse local stakeholders

    You will be connecting with our network of local people, who holds local knowledge, working in diverse industries ranging from manufacturing to architecture, design, and food production.
  2. 2

    Tapping into rich cultural history

    By visiting different natural, historical and cultural sites, as well as engaging with the local residents you can learn about how local wisdom were developed. The hands-on experience fosters understanding beyond mere knowledge.
  3. 3

    Engaging with workshop and activities

    We design and facilitate workshop tailored to your objectives combining contents such as lectures, site visits, hands-on experiences, and interactions with locals. We pose thought-provoking questions to deepen participants' thinking and foster meaningful engagement.
  4. 4

    Facilitating profound insights through discussions

    By taking the time to discuss alongside the visits and interactions, coordinators serve as facilitators who provide outside perspectives and pose questions at each venue. This role elevates inspiration to a higher degree.

Our X-Culture Coordinators (X-CC)

Below are our experienced and knowledgeable coordinators leading "KYOTO Local Wisdom Experience".
Leveraging diverse backgrounds and expertise in various fields to facilitate insights, they will be your partners in guiding you through the experience.

Isao Kitabayashi

COS KYOTO Co.,Ltd. / CEO, DESIGN KYOTO / DESIGN WEEK KYOTO / Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Sustainable Business Hub / Director

After working as corporate salesperson at Osaka Gas and as a human resources development consultant at Globis, he studied "Cultural Business" at the Graduate School of Business Administration at Doshisha University. After graduating, he founded COS KYOTO. In order to "realize a self-sufficient, circular, and sustainable society that overflows with immaterial richness" he is focusing on development of talents who learn regional revitalization and local wisdom on-site, plan and operate cultural exchange projects both domestically and internationally. In 2016, he established DESIGN WEEK KYOTO as an opportunity to open sites in Kyoto Prefecture and open conversations and interaction between people of diverse backgrounds.

Feilang Tseng

ROOTS / Co-CEO

In San Fransisco she was involved in design projects aimed at solving social issues. After returning to Japan she worked at healthcare company as a planner and design strategist. Currently she is involved in regional design and satoyama community building.

Kei Nakayama

Co-founder & CEO, ROOTS
Simultaneous interpreter, certified guide (English and Chinese), editor.

After graduating from Keio University Faculty of Law, he worked as a simultaneous English interpreter on a round-the-world cruise ship. Later, he worked as an editor for "Kaze no Tabibito," a magazine published by a travel company in Tokyo, while also gaining experience as a tour leader in various unexplored regions of the world.
In 2013, he moved from Tokyo to Keihoku, Kyoto, where he launched "Discover Another Kyoto", a community tourism service for non-Japanese travelers. In 2016, he received the Kyoto Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Kyoto Shinkin Bank.
Kei has been developing experience / contribution-oriented international education programs centered on the wisdom that resides in the community, and is deepening cooperation among rural regions in Japan and abroad.

Shinsuke Uchihashi

DESIGN KYOTO / DESIGN WEEK KYOTO / Manager

After completing a master's program in pharmaceutical sciences, he obtained a Doctorate in Engineering while working at a research institute of a private company in Toyama Prefecture, known as the city of medicine. After transferring to a private company in Kyoto Prefecture, he earned an MBA from the Graduate School of Management, GLOBIS University. During the course, he undertook a research project focused on business planning for the Banshu Ori industry, a traditional textile industry in his hometown of Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. Those experience led me to participate as a staff member in the Executive Committee of Design Week Kyoto, by a side job. he is also a graduate of the X-CC program and currently active as a coordinator connecting "Science," "Technology," and "Culture."

Naoya Sakamoto

KOZAMORI / CEO

Naoya “Dan” Sakamoto
A Cross-Cultural Coordinator specialized in Kyoto-Tango Peninsula (Northmost part of Kansai) and Kii Peninsula (Southmost part of Kaisai, where Kumano-kodo located). Geopark Guide and Space Rocket Guide in the south. Graduated Kyoto University majored in botanical ecology and owns mountain to practice small forestry by himself. By profession a Japanese Certified Public Accountant. Highly appreciated by business owners and executives.

Toshikazu Numano

Graduate School of Management, GLOBIS University / Associate Professor
General Incorporated Association Sustainable Business Hub / President

He holds a Master's degree in Engineering. After working at Japan Hewlett-Packard Co., Ltd. (now Keysight Technologies), he joined Globis in 1996 as the Osaka Branch School General Manager, supporting its initial growth. In 2007, they became an Associate Professor at Globis Graduate School of Management. Currently, he teaches marketing and business strategy at the Graduate School of Management while also consulting on new business ventures for companies. Additionally, he is involved in the management of the Ogasawara-ryu Senchado Foundation as a director and promote the spread of Senchado as a Senchado instructor. In 2019, he founded the General Incorporated Association Sustainable Business Hub and became its representative director in 2022.

Keiji Nagase

General Incorporated Association Tangonian / Representative Director

Originally from Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture. After working as an English teacher at a junior high school, he held positions at the Kyoto Tango City Social Welfare Council, WILLER TRAINS Co., Ltd., and the General Incorporated Association Toyooka Tourism Innovation before founding Tangonian. Under the concept of "intersection of life and travel," he is responsible for providing interpretation and guidance services to foreign travelers, creating tourism content, and planning new projects.

[How to apply]

  • Please feel free to contact us via email.
  • We will reach out to you to better understand your objectives,
    needs and challenges.
  • Your assigned coordinator will propose a plan and provide
    a quotation based on your requirements.
  • We will deliver "KYOTO Local Wisdom Experience"
    tailored to your needs.
  • We will confirm the degree of achievement
    and identify areas for improvement at the end.

*Please note that depending on the timing, we may need more time to adjust and customize,
so please consult with us as early as possible.

[Contact]

KYOTO Local Wisdom Experience is operated by COS KYOTO X-CC team.
Please feel free to contact us via email.

contact@cos-kyoto.com

COS KYOTO Co.,Ltd.
X-CC Team

Kyoto Prefecture Travel Agency registration ID: 841
Umekoji MArKEt 3F, 34 Sujakuhozocho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 600-8846, JAPAN