Bringing color to the town! Art and Marche at the Town Factory

Yao City’s Takebuchi area, known for its many small factories. The Hirai Marche was born from the desire to hold events where local children and seniors can enjoy themselves close to home—without having to go to the busy shops in Osaka City—and to share Takebuchi’s charms with many people. Each year, the event evolves, increasingly involving the local community and businesses.

The market features a wide variety of vendors, including sole proprietors, workshops, and childcare centers. Connections formed through this market have sparked numerous new initiatives across the area. Moving forward, the goal is to create a unique market that continues to coexist and thrive together with the local community.

Project Inauguration

“Bringing color and liveliness to local factories on holidays.” This humble initiative was launched by volunteers connected to Takebuchi, Yao City, with the aim of revitalizing the town and energizing the local community.

The goal is to create a barrier-free market where everyone can enjoy themselves. Within the factory premises, collaboration takes place with female entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, workshops, pediatric cancer support groups, and bacterial meningitis associations, providing a space where visitors can gain various insights while attending the market.

In anticipation of the EXPO, a collective effort is underway to create exciting experiences! Like a whirlpool, the project aims to involve diverse people, celebrating each other’s individuality and diversity, and creating a vibrant space that makes hearts dance.

Project Activities

With each iteration, the event has evolved, to the point where local grandmothers now associate the word “marche” specifically with “Hirai Marche.” Additionally, university students who once were local children have grown to volunteer in running the marche.

The number of visitors and booths has increased with each event. Starting this time, art and live performances have been added, turning the local factories into live music venues. The project will continue striving to be a vibrant spice for the community.

Future Prospects for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

Yao, where the community lives, has recently gained global recognition for its manufacturing technology and is transforming into a worldwide area—the only municipality confirmed to exhibit at the Kansai EXPO Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. As part of Yao, the aim is to create a town known not only within the city but across Osaka, Japan, and even the world, by involving the community, sole proprietors, businesses, government, and welfare sectors to realize a small yet vibrant “festival” that attracts many visitors.