World Heritage Co., Ltd. Acquires Naming Rights for Nara University of Education ESD/SDGs Center

Nara University of Education President Toshiya Miyashita / World Heritage Co., Ltd. Chairman Noriko Kawai / ESD/SDGs Center Director Yukihiko Oikawa

World Heritage Co., Ltd. (Nara City, Takahata-cho, Representative: Masanori Azuma) has participated in the naming rights project promoted by the National Institutes for the Humanities, Nara University Affiliated Institutions, and acquired the naming rights for the Nara University of Education ESD/SDGs Center starting June 1, 2026. As a result, the center will operate as the "World Heritage ESD/SDGs Center."

This initiative was realized because our company strongly resonated with the advanced educational and research activities of Nara University of Education, which has been a leader in the field of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) in collaboration with UNESCO.

Background of Naming Rights Acquisition

As a company that connects regions and the world through tourism, World Heritage Co., Ltd. has been engaged in initiatives to pass on the value of regional resources to the future. Among these, the ESD practices of Nara University of Education, which approach societal sustainability from the fields of education and research, have a high affinity with our company's philosophy.

The purpose of acquiring these naming rights is to support the development of the university's educational and research activities as a private company, while respecting them.

Collaboration with Nara University of Education through Nara SDGs Learning Journey

As an educational tourism initiative practicing ESD, we have supported the research-oriented program "Nara SDGs Learning Journey" in collaboration with Nara University of Education from the position of a business collaboration partner.

The "Nara SDGs Learning Journey" is a program launched in 2020, led by the Nara New Learning Journey Promotion Council, which consists of the Nara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nara University of Education, and the Nara City Tourism Association. It develops inquiry-based educational tourism that learns from the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Nara, such as buildings, Buddhist statues, and traditional events passed down through generations, from an SDGs perspective.

The program combines lectures by Nara University of Education on the theme of "Sustainability of Nara" with small-group fieldwork by specialized guides, promoting participants' proactive awareness and behavioral change through dialogue and experience. Since the start of the project in 2020, approximately 10,000 people have participated in this program by the end of fiscal year 2025.

These advanced initiatives, involving collaboration among industry, academia, government, and citizens, have been highly praised, receiving the Grand Prize in the 2024 "National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sparkling Tourism Promotion Award" from the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Business Succession and Development by Group Company

In March 2025, Manabi no Tabi Co., Ltd. was established with this project at its core, and it currently operates and develops the Nara SDGs Learning Journey as our group company. Through our group company, we support the educational tourism business and work to improve the quality of educational trips in Nara City, extend stays, and contribute to the local economy.

Utilization of Donations

The donations associated with the acquisition of naming rights for the Nara University of Education ESD/SDGs Center will be used for the center's core initiatives to promote ESD and SDGs.

Training of new and current teachers to foster "creators of a sustainable society."

Promotion of ESD in recurrent education for working adults and companies.

Education and research that contribute to solving issues related to Nara's environment, culture, tourism, and disaster prevention.

International promotion of ESD that connects regions and the world.

Improvement of educational systems that enhance the quality of ESD, such as the reorganization of graduate schools of education.

Future Outlook

World Heritage Co., Ltd. will continue to work on creating sustainable value that connects education, regions, and tourism through its support for the "World Heritage ESD/SDGs Center" and the Nara SDGs Learning Journey.

Exterior of World Heritage ESD/SDGs Center (Front View)

Front Signage of World Heritage ESD/SDGs Center Building

Nature Positive City Nara ~Symposium Connecting History, Landscape, and Learning to the Future~

On September 26, 2026 (Sat), as a commemoration of the naming rights for the "World Heritage ESD/SDGs Center," Manabi no Tabi Co., Ltd. and World Heritage Co., Ltd. will host the "Nature Positive City Nara ~Symposium Connecting History, Landscape, and Learning to the Future~" in collaboration with the Nara University of Education ESD/SDGs Center. This symposium will examine how the World Heritage site, landscape, deer, and people's lives have been interconnected with Nara Park as its theme, and consider the future of Nara. Additionally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the naming rights for the "World Heritage ESD/SDGs Center" will be held on the same day at 1:00 PM.

[Event Overview]

Date and Time: September 26 (Sat) 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Reception opens 1:00 PM)

Venue: Nara University of Education, Main Lecture Hall

Speakers: Makoto Honaka (Director, Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties) / Yasuhiro Nakanishi (Vice Chairman, Nara Deer Preservation Foundation), and others

WEB Registration: Register here

Registration Period: July 8 (Wed) - September 14 (Mon)

World Heritage Co., Ltd. Overview

Company Name

World Heritage Co., Ltd.

Location

1071 Takahata-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8301

Established

June 2000

Capital

50 million yen

Representative

Masanori Azuma

Business Activities

1. Hotel management

2. Restaurant and cafe management

3. Sales and planning of agricultural products, livestock products, fishery products, various foodstuffs, various beverages, handicrafts, crafts, various tourist souvenirs, etc.

4. Liquor sales

5. Planning, research, design, and brokerage related to the effective utilization of land and buildings

6. Leasing, ownership, management, and utilization of land, buildings, and parking lots

7. Consulting services for various related businesses

URL

https://www.worldheritage.co.jp/