Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture's Citizen-Created Relocation PR Goes Viral: TikTok Series 'Kurihara RAP' Surpasses 5 Million Views! New Promotional Video to be Released

Kurihara City in Miyagi Prefecture has announced that its citizen-participation relocation PR project, the TikTok series 'Kurihara RAP,' has surpassed 5 million views. This unique promotion, a collaborative effort between local residents and the city government, has gained significant attention. Additionally, a new promotional video is currently in production, depicting the authentic lives and seasonal beauty of the city's residents, and is scheduled for release soon. The city is also enhancing its support for new residents through its relocation concierge system and consultation centers in urban areas. The 'Kurihara RAP' TikTok series, embodying 'Connecting, Expanding, Forever Kurihara,' features a diverse range of citizens, including farmers, local businesspeople, children, and new residents, dancing and singing to original rap music to showcase Kurihara City's appeal nationwide. The R7 fiscal year edition was produced in collaboration with citizens around five themes, capturing the authentic atmosphere of daily life and the expressions of local people, distinguishing it as a 'locally driven regional promotion' by citizens. The 'Kurihara RAP' videos quickly went viral, exceeding 5 million total views, and have resonated strongly, particularly with younger generations. The city is also producing a promotional video titled 'Machikurihara Where You Can Meet,' which portrays the lives of new residents and the changing seasons. This video will capture moments of daily life, community connections, and child-rearing of actual Kurihara City residents, alongside the city's scenery, aiming to convey the warmth of everyday life beyond just picturesque views. It is designed to inspire people to visualize their lives in Kurihara. The video is currently being prepared for release on the official Kurihara City YouTube channel. Furthermore, Kurihara City operates a unique 'Kurihara Relocation and Settlement Concierge' system, where local citizens and organizations provide personalized support and real-life information on jobs, housing, childcare, and community engagement. Consultations are available both in-person and online. The city also maintains 'Sendai Kurihara Office' and 'Tokyo Kurihara Office' to assist prospective residents from urban areas, offering tailored relocation plans. Regular small-group exchange events called 'Kurihara Night Cafe' are held in Sendai and Tokyo, providing opportunities to interact with current residents and former locals, taste local specialties, and discuss life in Kurihara. Kurihara City is a region that balances urban convenience with rural richness, supported by administrative efforts and active community involvement. The city aims to transform the desire to 'relocate' into the concrete choice of 'living in Kurihara' by proposing personalized new lifestyles.