A project based in a temple in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture aims to offer Japanese cultural experiences such as tea ceremony and calligraphy to foreign tourists. Located near Kyoto, the project seeks to capitalize on international visitor demand while providing an authentic setting for cultural learning. What sets this project apart is its emphasis on "co-creation"—inviting supporters to participate continuously from ideation through refinement, rather than simply delivering a finished program.
By positioning supporters as partners in the project's development rather than mere funders, the initiative builds lasting relationships and deeper engagement. The project leverages an existing local resource—the temple itself—reducing capital investment while adding historical credibility to the experience offerings.
Highlights
- Temple-based existing local resource transformed into tourism content
- Location advantage near Kyoto clearly positioned as a differentiator
- Supporters invited to become co-creation partners for ongoing involvement
Why this campaign attracts support
Editorial analysis based on publicly available information. It is not a confirmed account of why backers chose to give.
Several factors create strong support potential for this project. First, its proximity to the internationally renowned Kyoto while positioning itself distinctly within Shiga Prefecture appeals to visitors seeking authentic Japanese culture without Kyoto's crowds. Second, using an established temple reduces upfront infrastructure costs while providing inherent historical legitimacy. Third, focusing on popular experiences like matcha tea ceremony and calligraphy resonates strongly with international visitors and makes the project's value immediately tangible to supporters. Finally, the co-creation model—inviting supporters into the design and improvement process—fosters emotional investment and repeat engagement rather than one-time transactions. This combination of local heritage, inbound tourism appeal, and collaborative design offers a replicable model for rural crowdfunding projects.
Did this article help you?
A note from the editors
This project offers an instructive example of reimagining a local temple as an inbound-focused cultural experience platform. Its approach to leveraging Kyoto's proximity while engaging supporters as co-creators rather than passive funders should prove valuable for organizations considering crowdfunding for regional tourism initiatives. While specific funding targets were not detailed, the project merits attention for its strategy of revitalizing local resources.