Co-Creation Challenges
(TEAM EXPO 2025 Program/Co-Creation Challenges)
One of the participatory programs at the Expo.
This activity aims to realize an ideal future society through the initiative of diverse participants.
Effort
In Wakayama prefecture, students belonging to the Consortium for Co-creation of Higher Education Wakayama* are working in cooperation with the prefecture's regional development bureaus to create local appeal and address local issues in the areas under the jurisdiction of the respective bureaus. At the Expo venue (TEAM EXPO Pavilion), stage presentations and exhibits about these initiatives are scheduled to be held on the following dates.
| Exhibition schedule | Team |
| May 3 (Sat) | Nishimuro Team |
| Higashimuro Team | |
| May 4 (Sun) | Kaiso Team |
| Naga Team | |
| May 5 (Mon) | Ito Team |
| Arida Team | |
| Hidaka Team |
*Consortium for Co-creation of Higher Education Wakayama
The Consortium for Co-creation of Higher Education Wakayama was established in July 2000 by universities and other higher education institutions in Wakayama Prefecture, with the aim of combining their intellectual resources through collaboration and cooperation, contributing to the further development of the regional society, and demonstrating the attractiveness of the member institutions.
HP: Consortium for Co-creation of Higher Education Wakayama（External Link)
Promoting the use of National Route 370（Kaiso Team)
National Route 370, which runs through the Kainan and Kaiso regions, is an important road connecting Wakayama and Nara prefectures. In particular, the section from Kainan City, Kimino Town to Koya Town is known as the "Koya Nishi-kaido" and plays an important role in facilitating tourism and inter-regional movement. In light of that, the initiative aims to increase the number of users by creating a route that includes attractive spots along the route, and by disseminating information on social media while interviewing local residents.
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Co-Creation Challenge page（External Link)
Attracting visitors and promoting round-trip tours through cycling-based tourism in the Kinokawa area(Naga Team)
Cycling in the Kinokawa area (the area covering Iwade City and Kinokawa City) has few slopes, so even beginners can enjoy it easily while also experiencing delicious gourmet food, nature, and history. With the aim of spreading this appeal to more people, this initiative provides information from a student's perspective and proposes recommended cycling courses mainly targeted at beginners and inexperienced cyclists.
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Co-Creation Challenge page（External Link)
Promoting round-trip tourism around the foot of Mt. Koya（Ito Team)
Many tourists come to the Hashimoto and Ito areas with Mt. Koya as their main destination, Although there are many attractive tourism resources in the foothills areas such as Hashimoto City, Katsuragi Town, and Kudoyama Town, these are not attracting as many visitors. Therefore, through fieldwork and interviews with local people, the initiative aims to propose ways to enjoy the area to encourage repeat visits, which will in turn help to promote tourism to the foothills of Mt. Koya.
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Co-Creation Challenge page（External Link)
Attracting tourists to the Shimizu area of Aridagawa Town(Arida Team)
Although the Shimizu area of Aridagawa Town has a wide variety of tourism resources, it faces challenges such as inadequate dissemination of information, population decline, and a shortage of people to work in the local industries. Therefore, taking advantage of the refurbishing and reopening of Shimizu Onsen in the summer of 2024, this initiative will propose tour plans and tourism materials that can provide experiences unique to the Shimizu area, and work to disseminate information and promote tourism from a student's perspective.
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Co-Creation Challenge page（External Link)
The origin of Japanese cuisine is in Hidaka - Spreading this message to the world(Hidaka Team)
Soy sauce and bonito flakes, which are important elements of Japanese food culture, had actually originated in the Hidaka region, but this is not a well-known fact outside the region. In addition, much of the food culture and local cuisine is not being passed down to the younger generation. In light of that, by conducting interviews with the local community and documenting the food culture, as well as working to develop menus that will appeal to many people, this initiative aims to promote the appeal of the region and pass on the culture to the next generation.
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Co-Creation Challenge page（External Link)
Attracting visitors to the Kumano Kodo's Ohechi route(Nishimuro Team)
The Kumano Kodo remains very popular, but most of the people who take this pilgrimage walk on the Nakahechi route. On the other hand, the Ohechi route, which is also a World Heritage Site, is not very well known despite its attractions. Therefore, this initiative proposes ways of publicizing it from a student's perspective with the aim of attracting new tourists and repeat visitors by widely disseminating the charms of the Ohechi route.
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Co-Creation Challenge page（External Link)
Sustainable community development in a pioneering area for welcoming immigrants(Higashimuro Team)
The Irokawa district is at the forefront of welcoming immigrants, who make up 60% of the population. This initiative introduces the lives of people who felt uncomfortable living in the city and uprooted their lives to Irokawa to realize their ideals. In this way, it explores the possibilities for regional revitalization from the perspective of immigrants. It is hoped that this initiative will promote the future creation of a sustainable community in Irokawa, as well as help address problems in other depopulated areas.
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Co-Creation Challenge page（External Link)