Wakayama Prefecture Tanabe City's Related Population Creation Project "TANABEES" Starts Accepting Applications for Fiscal Year 2026

TANABEES (Tanabees) 2026 Main Visual

TODAY Inc. (Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture) will begin accepting applications for fiscal year 2026 participants for the related population creation project "TANABEES (Tanabees)", which it is commissioned to operate by Tanabe City, starting on July 6, 2026 (Mon).

TANABEES is a hands-on project where individuals living outside Wakayama Prefecture team up with local players to tackle regional issues and new challenges over approximately six months.

Rather than simply offering regional experiences or tourism, the project aims to foster a "related population that maintains continuous connections with the region," creating new forms of engagement with the area through a combination of on-site fieldwork and online meetings.

Last fiscal year, participants of various backgrounds, including high school students, university students, and working adults, joined from across the country! They continued their engagement with the region even after the program concluded.

In fiscal year 2025, participants gathered from all over Japan and implemented projects in collaboration with local players. Participants conducted interviews with local players and on-site surveys, developing and proposing plans that leveraged their respective expertise and perspectives. Even after the program ended, participants revisited Tanabe City, and their relationships with local businesses continued, leading to the creation of a lasting related population, not just a temporary one.

Local players also commented, such as, "The external perspective gave us more motivation than ever before," and "We met peers we want to work with in the future."

Three Regional Projects to be Implemented in Fiscal Year 2026

This year, in collaboration with local players, primarily graduates of the "Tanabe Future Creation Academy" implemented by Tanabe City, three projects will be undertaken to address regional issues and foster new business development.

Participants will select projects that interest them and engage in practical projects alongside local players, combining on-site fieldwork with online meetings.

Throughout the project period, coordinators in Tanabe City will provide support to both participants and the local community.

Three Projects Open for Applications

1. Transforming a Local Cafe into a Destination Worth Visiting. "atta cafe (HOCCO)" Project

Using "atta cafe" in Ryujin Village, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, as the stage, this project challenges participants to create a cafe that appeals to both tourists and local residents. Through on-site surveys and interviews, participants will plan and propose menu development, experiential content, space design, and information dissemination in collaboration with local players. The project aims to discover new attractions unique to this mountainous region rich in nature and develop businesses that leverage local resources.

Mr. and Mrs. Enomoto, owners of atta cafe

2. Making "Magic Grapes" a Nationwide Brand. Suzuki Grape Garden Project This project focuses on Suzuki Grape Garden, which cultivates premium grapes in Tanabe City, aiming to enhance brand value and increase recognition. Participants will experience the production site, conduct interviews with producers, and research the market, considering SNS utilization, product planning, branding, and sales strategies. They will work with local players to create new value that contributes to the future of local agriculture.

Mr. Itaru Suzuki, owner of Suzuki Grape Garden

3. Creating New Community Interaction in the Shopping District by Utilizing Vacant Properties LLC Hanamuke Project

Based in the Minato Hondori Shopping Street in the old town area of Tanabe City, this project focuses on utilizing vacant houses and shops. In addition to operating a guesthouse, a fitness gym is planned. Participants will be practically involved in launching new businesses, including concept development and public relations/customer acquisition strategies. The project aims to create a system that fosters new interactions and a related population.

Mr. Takahiro Sonoda, Representative of LLC Hanamuke

Application Overview

[Application Period] July 6, 2026 (Mon) - August 31, 2026 (scheduled)

[Activity Period] September 2026 - February 2027

[Number of Participants] Approximately 9-12 people

[Target Audience] Individuals residing outside Wakayama Prefecture who wish to take a step towards engaging with the region and leverage their skills to build connections with the community.

[Participation Fee] Free *Travel expenses required for project activities within Tanabe City will be covered by the secretariat.

[How to Apply] Please register as a friend on the official LINE account "TANABEES" and apply through the entry form. https://line.me/R/ti/p/@632fciqp [Website] Please visit the official website for details. https://brown983415.studio.site/

"What's Happening in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture Right Now." Online Information Session to be Held

Online Information Session Banner

TANABEES will hold an online information session for those considering participation and for individuals interested in related populations, dual residence, and community development.

The theme is "What's Happening in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture Right Now - The Forefront of Regional Development Seen Through Related Populations, Dual Residence, and the 'Furusato Resident Registration System Model Region'."

"Related population," which is gaining attention as a new way to engage with a region, distinct from moving or tourism. In Tanabe City, which is advancing this pioneering initiative, over 100 local players have launched new challenges in the past decade.

The information session will introduce the current changes occurring in Tanabe City and real-life challenge examples from local players, as well as provide detailed explanations of the projects and application details for fiscal year 2026 TANABEES.

Anyone is welcome to join as a first step towards practical engagement with the region.

[Date and Time] ・July 28, 2026 (Tue) 20:00-21:00 ・August 5, 2026 (Wed) 20:00-21:00 ・August 12, 2026 (Wed) 20:00-21:00 *Content is the same for each session.

[Method of Holding] Zoom (Online)

[Participation Fee] Free

[Main Content] ・Why is the "related population" gaining attention now? ・About Tanabe City's "Furusato Resident Registration System Model Region" initiative ・Challenge examples from local players ・Introduction to TANABEES Fiscal Year 2026 Projects ・Application Overview & Q&A

[Speakers] ・Kanako Yamada (Representative, TODAY Inc. / TANABEES Secretariat) ・Hiroaki Negishi (TODAY Inc. TANABEES Secretariat) ・Tanabe City Hall, Sales Office (TANABEES Organizer) ・TANABEES Project Coordinators

[Application for Participation] Please apply from the link below. https://tanabees2026.peatix.com

About TODAY Inc.

TODAY Inc. aims to "create a Wakayama where young people can easily leave, stay, and return," and develops educational programs, human resource development, and related population creation businesses that connect young people with local communities. Through hands-on programs for high school and university students, collaborative projects with local governments, and joint projects with regional businesses, the company fosters new challenges in local areas.

Contact Us

TODAY Inc. (TANABEES Secretariat) Email: [email protected] WEB: https://today0728.com