MakiChalle
MakiChalle 2026
Challenge Business Contest
MAKICHALLE 2026

Makinohara City Challenge
Business Contest

Creating business that reaches the world from Makinohara

Entry Deadline: July 31, 2026 (Fri) 23:59 (your local time)
Until Entry Deadline
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— Schedule

What's Next

View full schedule
  1. October 20 (Tue) 15:00–18:00NEXT

    Awards Ceremony

  2. Wed, Oct 21

    Collaboration Meetup (First-ever)

— Open Pitch Archive

The Open Pitch has taken place

On October 1, the 11 finalists took the stage at the Open Pitch, the final round of judging, and presented their business proposals. The full session is available to watch any time.

Next

Award Ceremony

  • Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 15:00–18:00 JST
  • Makinohara City Community Center "Iira"
  • Streamed live on YouTube

The winners, including the Grand Prize (2 million yen), will be announced at the ceremony.

— Access

Access for general visitors (Award Ceremony, Oct 20)

A separate shuttle bus is provided for finalists and semi-finalists.

01Venue: Iira
Makinohara City Community Center "Iira"

Makinohara City Community Center "Iira"

140 Susuki, Makinohara, Shizuoka 421-0524, Japan

Look for the large copper-colored roof and the glass-walled building.

03Shuttle bus

To the venue

  1. 14:20JR Kanaya Station
  2. 14:50Makinohara Chamber of Commerce
  3. 15:00Iira (ceremony venue)

Return

  1. 18:30Iira (ceremony venue)
  2. Makinohara Chamber of Commerce
  3. JR Kanaya Station
04By car or taxi

By carAbout 15 min from Tomei Expressway "Sagara-Makinohara IC" / about 30 min from "Yoshida IC"Free parking available

By train + taxiAbout 20–25 min by taxi from JR Tokaido Line "Kikugawa Station" (there is no route bus from Kikugawa Station toward Iira)

05By route bus

The nearest bus stop to Iira is "Sagara Hondori" on Shizutetsu Justline (about a 12-minute walk to Iira). Weekday buses that fit the ceremony (doors open 15:00, ends 18:00):

From JR Shizuoka Station

Express Shizuoka–Sagara Line (bound for Sagara Eigyosho), board at "Shizuoka Ekimae", approx. 70 min

To the venue

  • 13:20 → arrives Sagara Hondori 14:31
  • 13:50 → arrives Sagara Hondori 15:01

Return

  • 18:35 from Sagara Hondori → arrives Shizuoka Ekimae 19:48

Buses run roughly every 30 minutes during the day.

From JR Kanaya Station

Hagima Line (bound for Sagara Hondori), board at "Kanaya Ekimae", approx. 45 min

To the venue

  • 12:45 → arrives Sagara Hondori 13:30
  • 14:30 → arrives Sagara Hondori 15:19

Return

  • 18:30 from Sagara Hondori → arrives Kanaya Ekimae 19:15

Service is infrequent, so the shuttle bus (03) above is more convenient from Kanaya Station. The 18:30 bus is the last weekday departure.

Times are the weekday schedule as of October 2026. Please check the latest times before you travel. Shizutetsu Justline (Shizutetsu Bus) official site

About

Creating business that reaches the world from Makinohara

About MakiChalle

MakiChalle is a business plan contest designed to revitalize the local economy of Makinohara City by developing new businesses that utilize regional resources such as commerce, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. From the submitted business plans, those with the highest contribution to the region, planning capability, and profitability are selected.

We look forward to entries from around the world to create new businesses that leverage the city's attractions and contribute to regional revitalization.

PRIZES

Prizes

GRAND PRIZE

¥2,000,000

MakiChalle Grand Prize

Runner-up Prize

¥300,000

Mayor's Special Prize

¥100,000

Sponsor Prize

¥50,000〜¥100,000

Audience Prize

¥50,000

Why Makinohara

Makinohara's Appeal

* PR movie "Sensai Banka" (千祭万歌) — 2025 Makinohara City 20th Anniversary PR Video Contest

Despite being a small city of 40,000 people, Makinohara has the potential to connect with the world through its tea plantation landscapes and Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport. The city's abundant regional resources hold "infinite possibilities" for creating new businesses.

Agriculture & Fisheries

Agriculture & Fisheries

A region thriving in agriculture with tea, vegetables, and fruits. Rich in fresh seafood from Suruga Bay, including strawberries.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

An industrial hub with automobile and beverage manufacturers. Boasts manufacturing shipment value of approximately 1 trillion yen.

Tourism

Tourism

Marine sports like surfing along a 15km coastline. Diverse attractions including seasonal flowers and historic buildings.

Transportation

Transportation

Transportation access connecting Japan and the world via Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport and the Tomei Expressway. The gateway to the world is right here.

Mayor's Message

Mayor's Message

Mayor Kikuo Sugimoto shares his vision for MakiChalle and the future of Makinohara City.

Sponsors

Sponsors

Special Sponsors — Special Partners

General Sponsors — Partners

Archive

Past Events

Entry

Apply Now

MakiChalle 2026 is now accepting entries. Create business that reaches the world from Makinohara.