Inlight Inc. (Headquarters: Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture, Representative Director: Hiromu Kazama) operates the cafe 'Kazoma (Kazoma)'. To commemorate the first anniversary of its opening, on July 14, 2026 (Tue), a talk event 'KAZO TALKS ~ Kazo Talkathon Event ~' will be held. 20 people involved with Kazo in various positions, including the former mayor and superintendent of education, will speak on the current and future Kazo in four sessions.
'KAZO TALKS' Announcement Visual
About Kazoma ~ Station Front 'Relationship Information Center'~
Kazoma is a cafe that opened in July 2025 in front of Kazo Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line. In addition to offering locally roasted specialty coffee, it has three functions: a cafe, an event space, and a shared kitchen. The concept is a 'Relationship Information Center' that guides the creation of relationships between people inside and outside the region.
A scene from an event held at Kazoma. Local sake and craft beer are sometimes served.
Homemade cheesecake and Kazo-roasted specialty coffee Toy store showcase remodeled into a cafe table
In late May 2025, the commercial facility 'Kazo Mine (Tobu Store)' directly connected to Kazo Station closed, and the challenge was made amid the reduction of lights in front of the station. Part of the opening funds was raised through crowdfunding, achieving the target amount of 1 million yen (final total support amount 1,297,000 yen, 43 supporters). Inheriting the wishes of the previous owner who had run 'Suzuki Toy Store' and 'Suzuki Toy Store' in front of the station for about 50 years, it started.
Over the past year, more than 30 events have been held, and it is becoming a new exchange hub in front of Kazo Station where students, business owners, and government officials interact on a daily basis.
Due to its location in front of the station, many events planned by students are also held in collaboration with businesses outside the city, and Nijimasu tsumidori is held in front of the station.
Background of the Anniversary Event
Kazo City has a population of approximately 110,000. It has unique resources such as the largest koi nobori in Japan, handmade udon, and one of the largest rice-producing areas in the prefecture.
Rice fields in Kazo City. Kazoma also holds events where you can cycle around the rice fields and connect with local farmers and restaurants.
On the other hand, it is also facing common challenges for suburban cities near the capital, such as the hollowing out of the station area symbolized by the closure of the station building and the outflow of young people to other cities.
The old Kazo Mine station building in front of Kazo Station. All tenants who were located on the first to third floors have withdrawn, and shutters are noticeable.
On the occasion of the first anniversary, Kazoma decided to create a place where the stakeholders of this city can talk at the same table, transcending their positions. The opportunity for key persons in administration, education, industry, and culture, and young people who have started new challenges in this city to gather is a rare attempt even within the city. Incidentally, the date of the event, July 14, is exactly one year since the crowdfunding at the time of opening achieved its target and ended.
Crowdfunding Project Page
https://motion-gallery.net/projects/inlight0827
The building in front of Kazo Station where Kazoma is located. The site of the renovated 'Suzuki Toy Store' and 'Toy Store Suzuki' which was loved for about 50 years
Event Details
SESSION1 (17:30-18:10) Will AI bring a new "Kazo-like culture"?
Arano Rintaro (Koi Master Association)
Kusuno Ki (Kusuno Publishing)
Tominaga (Countryside Tour Guide)
Matsuo (Graduate Student)
Hinata Yutaka (Saitama Prefecture Credit Union)
SESSION 2 (18:20-19:00) Regenerative Food Culture
Okano Daisuke (Tokyo Sake)
Ochan (Young Farmer)
Matsuzawa Hiroyuki (Kazo Beer)
Yoshizawa Motonari (Yoshino House)
Rin (Saitama Udon Child TV)
SESSION 3 (19:30-20:10) Who is Kazo for?
Ono Tadashi (Superintendent of Education)
Tsunoda Moriyoshi (Former Mayor of Kazo City)
Kaneko Hiroaki (Kajima Construction)
Miyairi Yuuto (Kaitsu Mirai High School)
Kazama Hiromu (Kazoma)
SESSION 4 (20:20-21:00) Why do we travel at Kazoma?
Imamura Tetsunosuke (SOLABASE)
Komomo (University Student)
Hirano Yuusuke (Kyōiku Design)
Matchii (Toy Communicator)
Yoppii (University Student)
*Note: The speakers are listed based on their wishes.
Event Name: KAZO TALKS
Date: July 14, 2026 (Tue) 17:30~21:00
Venue: Cafe Kazoma (1 minute walk from Kazo Station)
Participation Fee: First Half (Session 1 & 2) 2,000 yen / Second Half (Session 3 & 4) 2,000 yen
Special Feature: Sake pairing is provided according to each session's theme
Application Method: Email or Instagram
Organizer: Inlight Inc. (Cafe Kazoma)
Tasting Four Themes with 'Kazo's Local Sake' ~ Sake Pairing~
On the day of the event, sake selected by Mr. Okano, who holds a SAKE DIPLOMA qualification, will be paired and provided according to the theme of each session. You can enjoy the stories of tradition, culture, food, and the future of the town with a cup nurtured by the climate of Kazo.
Mr. Okano, a native of Kazu, Kuge, has been involved with Kazoma since January of this year with the aim of creating new liveliness in Kazo. He launched the 'Tokyo Sake Event' with members of his Tokyo-based railway company at Kazoma in April. Since then, he has exchanged opinions with the owner Kazama and is now ready for this 1st anniversary event.
A scene from the sake event held by Tokyo Sake at Kazoma in April 2026
Representative Comment
Hiromu Kazama | Representative Director of Inlight Inc. | Native of Kazo City | Passed the Certified Public Accountant exam while studying at Keio University, worked at Toumaz and Mujin Inc., and established Inlight Inc. in 2023.
During my student days, I thought 'There is nothing in this town' and left my hometown. However, when I stepped in front of Kazo Station after 10 years, I realized that it was not that there was nothing, but that I had not met the people and experiences of Kazo.
A year ago, after the station commercial facility closed, while there were people who lamented the loss of the town's facilities, there were also many people who raised their voices saying, 'I want to do ○○'. I would like to invite everyone who has livened up Kazoma with various events as guests at this anniversary event and create hints that will lead to further activation.
- note - Representative's Blog
https://note.com/hiromu_kazama
Company Profile
Company Name
Inlight Inc. (Inlight)
Location
1-6-8 Suzukake Bldg., Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture
Representative
Hiromu Kazama
Business Content
Operation of Cafe Kazoma, Coworking Space INLIGHT
Event Planning
Management Consulting
HP
https://in-light.jp/index.html
https://www.instagram.com/kazoma_cafe/
Inquiry
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Event