Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture is being promoted as “The City of Bags,” but Toyooka also has other towns such as the town of 〇〇.
It is called that.
It is known as “The City of Theater.”
This time, I’d like to step away a bit from bags and introduce Toyooka City.
Toyooka City is famous for Kinosaki Onsen, a hot spring area, and is close to a fishing port on the Sea of Japan, attracting many tourists especially during crab season. However, it is a regional city experiencing population decline. The mayor at the time believed that the city needed unique, outstanding value to survive, and inspired by exchanges with playwright Oriza Hirata, began town development utilizing theater.
In 2014, the city received the then-closed Kinosaki Conference Hall from the prefecture and opened the “Kinosaki International Art Center (KIAC).” This facility hosts an “Artist-in-Residence” program where artists stay for a certain period to create works. World-renowned artists have visited, and trial performances and workshops have been held, making it a place for interaction between top artists and citizens.
C Nishiyama Madoka
As the theater culture based at the Art Center began to bear fruit little by little, efforts started to expand theater from the Art Center to the entire town. The representative event is the “Toyooka Theater Festival,” which began in 2020. Venues include not only the Art Center and halls but also alleys in Kinosaki Onsen and in front of Ebara Station. Theater and dance were performed in places familiar to citizens. Although the festival was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2023 it attracted over 20,000 visitors during the event period.
C Igaki Photo Studio
In April 2021, the first public university in Japan where you can seriously study theater and dance, the University of Arts, Culture and Tourism, will open.
Despite being busy with lectures and practical training, students independently organize several performances a month, handling everything from scripts and stage design to promotion. Thanks to this, there are more opportunities to enjoy a quick show after work, a little luxury.
The culture of theater is gradually permeating widely throughout Toyooka City.
The other day, at a cafe renovated from an old house in Izushi, a set event was held featuring a meal and a reading performance by the theater troupe “Seinendan.”
C bozzo
As for me, I also participated as a citizen participant in a dance performance held at the Toyooka Civic Plaza and was allowed to take the stage. Although spending weekday evenings and weekends rehearsing does affect my work to some extent, my company gladly supports me.
The theatrical method of creating something by making use of each individual’s unique personality has certainly spread in Toyooka as a diversity that recognizes each person’s way of life.
While you’re here to look at bags, why not watch a play?
While you’re here to watch a play, why not check out some bags?
Would you like to give it a try?