Why do people decide to move from one place to another, and what turns an unexpected encounter with a region into an actual visit? This week’s Thursday Gathering examines six years of collaboration between Saiki City and NEXCO West Japan, while also exploring how connections with regional destinations can begin within everyday city life.
Date and Time: Thursday, August 27, 2026, 16:00 to 20:00
Location: ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F SKYLOBBY
Admission: Free (registration required)
Registration & details: Event website (Japanese)
Event Highlights (In-person only):
16:00 – 16:50
Why Do People Move? What Saiki City x NEXCO West Japan’s Tabiccha Reveals About Creating Mobility Demand
Saiki City and NEXCO West Japan have co-created the regional visitor attraction project Tabiccha for six consecutive years since 2020. This session looks at how people can encounter a region unexpectedly through expressway travel and what encourages them to actually visit. It will cover how Tachiccha was created, examine results and future challenges through data, and introduce the new Tabiccha scheme and its challenges for fiscal 2026.
16:00 – 20:00
Networking
Networking takes place throughout Thursday Gathering, creating opportunities for new business connections and collaborations. Participants can enjoy up to three complimentary beers or soft drinks while meeting fellow attendees in a relaxed atmosphere. It is also a valuable opportunity to connect directly with session speakers and guest speakers, continue discussions after sessions, and make new connections.
17:00 – 17:15
How to Enjoy Thursday Gathering
This interactive session introduces Venture Café Fukuoka’s weekly signature event, Thursday Gathering. It covers how the community operates, its mission, how to enjoy the event, and the value of connecting with others. A useful introduction for anyone interested in getting more involved in the Venture Café community.
17:30 – 18:15
Meetup for Thursday Gathering Beginners!
With the mission “Connecting Innovators to make things happen,” the Venture Café community has helped create many new connections and opportunities. This session introduces Thursday Gathering and gives first-time participants a chance to meet and connect with one another. It is designed to help newcomers make the most of the community from their first visit.
17:30 – 18:20
The Potential of Regional Co-Creation Revealed Through Saiki City x NEXCO West Japan’s Tabiccha
Where does a journey begin? Tabiccha is a strategy designed to reach people who are thinking about travelling or are already on the move. But an encounter with a regional destination may begin even earlier, within everyday urban life. Using the Chihaya SA Project, which brings the concept of a service area into the city, this session examines how connections with regional areas can be created from the perspectives of a DMO, a commercial facility, and an expressway company. It also considers how those urban touchpoints can lead to actual travel and influence destination choices.
Organized by Venture Café Fukuoka
Languages: Japanese and/or English (varies by session)
All sessions are in-person only. Pre-registration required via the event website.