Born from a Local Factory: The Regional Festival that Attracted 2,025 Visitors Returns

Denken Co., Ltd., an alumite processing company located in Ikuno Ward, Osaka City, will hold the hands-on regional event 'DENKEN FESTA' on May 9, 2026. The inaugural event previously recorded an attendance of 2,025 people. In its second iteration, the event will evolve into a community festival originating from a local factory, featuring 27 booths and blending free entertainment content, such as comedy shows by Yoshimoto Kogyo and live music, with hands-on workshops. Held just before Mother's Day, a unique feature is the opportunity for attendees to craft gifts through manufacturing experiences.

Background of the Event

Japanese small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, particularly local sub-contracting factories (Machi-Koba), often do not have their own proprietary products, structurally making it difficult to receive compensation commensurate with their technical capabilities. Furthermore, due to confidentiality agreements, opportunities to externally showcase their technology are limited, and their appeal remains uncommunicated, frequently leading to a lack of successors or business closure. In response to this situation, Denken realized the necessity of creating 'a place to open up technology and communicate it as value.' Together with people they met through the Expo event in Ikuno Ward in 2024, they executed an event where people could not only watch manufacturing but also experience and discuss it. By bringing together processors, manufacturers, and end-users—who rarely interact—into the same space, they realized that new relationships and possibilities were born. By intertwining creators, the local community, users, and children, the value of manufacturing is redefined. The passion generated by the Expo is carried forward, sparking the next move for the creators.

Event Features

1. Hybrid Design of Free Content × Paid Experiences Balances a free stage that anyone can easily enjoy with workshops that provide valuable experiences.

2. Evolution of the Open Factory Led by a Local Machi-Koba Evolving from simple factory tours into a full-fledged regional festival.

3. Providing Technology as Experiential Value Allows visitors to experience processing technologies, such as alumite dyeing, that are usually inaccessible.

4. Handmade Gift Experience for Mother's Day Designed so children can give a gift they made with their own hands.

Specific Content

[Free Content] - Comedy live show by Yoshimoto Kogyo's 'Smile' - Music live show by Mighty Jam Rock 'KYARA/TAKAFIN' - Performance by picture-story show artist (Kamishibai) Gan-chan - Participatory content dancing with influencer Yachi-san

[Paid Content] - Alumite dyeing experience (making original keychains, etc.) - Various manufacturing workshops - Food, drink, and merchandise booths (27 exhibitors)

In particular, the moment a child becomes engrossed in coloring aluminum and says, 'I'm going to give this to mom,' is a scene that symbolizes the value of manufacturing and the warmth of the local community.

Makoto Kirishima, Senior Managing Director, Denken Co., Ltd.

Organizer's Comment

The reality for local factories is that even if they possess the technology, they cannot fully demonstrate their value because it is not communicated. Even without proprietary products or under strict confidentiality agreements, the value changes depending on how the technology itself is presented. We started DENKEN FESTA as a place to test that possibility. What we value in this event is not 'selling,' but 'communicating.' The moments when children's eyes light up, the authentic voices of the users, the encounters between different industries. I believe that each of these will lead to our next challenge. The creator's next move is not born in isolation. That is exactly why we are creating this space. We want to shape the words 'Polishing with gratitude, shining together' within our community.

Event Overview

Event Name: DENKEN FESTA Date and Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM *In case of rain: Sunday, May 17 Venue: Ikuno Park (5-5-37 Momodani, Ikuno Ward, Osaka City) Admission: Free *Some workshops and food/drinks are paid Target Audience: From children to adults (Families welcome) Organizer: Denken Co., Ltd. Cooperation: Osaka City Ikuno Ward Office