The 4th TOMODACHI KaoLINK Fukushima Rebranding Program takes place in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
The 4th TOMODACHI KaoLINK Fukushima Rebranding Program took place in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 14 and 15, 2018.
The TOMODACHI KaoLINK Fukushima Program 2017-2018 provides opportunities for TOMODACHI alumni to learn tourism branding through the lens of revitalizing Fukushima Prefecture. The program aims for participants to discover the uniqueness and charm that can only be found in Fukushima and to utilize scent to boost tourism in the prefecture.
The 4th part of the program was held in Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima city, with the theme of “Discover and share the charm of Hanamiyama with your loved ones.”
On the first day, the participants walked around the park and were divided into groups, with each group responsible for filming videos, taking photos, and recording the sounds of the park to capture its ambiance and character.
The participants then went to the Hanamiyama Post Office and wrote poems on what they felt at Hanamiyama Park in a Haiku format (a traditional Japanese poem consisting of 3 lines: the first and third lines made up of 5 syllables and the middle line made up of 7 syllables). The activity’s goal was for participants to convey their feelings using a limited number of words. Since the students normally communicate by text messages and phone calls, crafting the Haikus made them choose their words carefully and think thoroughly on how to express what they feel.
In the evening, the participants experienced a workshop with Ms. Tamami Akiba, an author of the picture storybook, “Kin-bachan’s Hanamiyama,” based on Hanamiyama. The students learned the park’s history, including how it was once a private property, which was later opened up to the public.
The site tour concluded on the first day, and on the second day, the participants recreated the beauty of Hanamiyama using the videos, pictures and sounds that they collected the day before.
The participants examined how to convey the emotions they felt at Hanamiyama to others through various lenses, such as carefully considering which words to use, thinking of their stories from the perspective of the audience, and pondering how to best deliver their most important messages. Through trial and error, the participants successfully created a virtual Hanamiyama inside the room.
Lastly, inspired by the virtual Hanamiyama space, Ms. Ikumi Kumagai, a singer and songwriter, performed a song; Ms. Saki Tanaka, an artist, created a painting; and Ms. Chieko Norieda, a Barney Dance Troupe dancer, performed a dance.
Through this program, the students learned about the power of non-verbal communication tools. By communicating in methods other than the writing and speech they use on a daily basis, the participants came to realize that images, sounds and even scents are very effective in conveying their messages and feelings.
