Join likeminded creatives from around the world to work on short projects for rural Japanese communities. Travel with purpose, make lifelong connections and explore the potential of a design career in Japan.
Thank you for signing up!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Design for Japan
Contributing to Japan's Rural Revitalization with the Power of Design
In 2024, over 1700 Japanese regional towns were identified as at risk of disappearing by 2050 due to aging populations and declining industry. That same year saw a record number of foreign tourists visit Japan, concentrated in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Regional towns are missing out on the tourism boom and the chance to grow their economies.
Design for Japan was started by a group of Tokyo-based designers to help these communities use design to create better experiences for their residents & visitors. Our programs allow designers from around the world to contribute their expertise while connecting with Japanese communities and experiencing what it's like to be a designer in Japan.
Our programs bring together talented designers, researchers, engineers and students from around the world. Small groups allow you to get to know each other on a deeper level - creating lifelong connections.
Rediscover the Power of Design
Looking to rediscover why you got into design in the first place? Our programs are designed to allow you to get back to basics and use UX techniques to understand real human problems and create simple but effective solutions that have a lasting impact on communities.
Explore a Design Career in Japan
Some of our past participants have ended up moving to Japan and landing jobs at Japanese tech companies. We offer programs to help you explore your interest in working in Japan and make connections with local designers & companies.
