— Guide
Information for Finalists & Semi-FinalistsThe 5th Makinohara City Challenge Business Contest
Last updated: September 24, 2026
— Overview
3-Day Overview
— Awards
Awards
The following awards will be announced at the Award Ceremony on October 20, following the Open Pitch (final round) on October 1.
This year we received a record 230 entries — 156 from Japan and 74 from overseas.
— Day 1
Oct 1 (Thu) — Open Pitch
Thursday, October 1, 2026 — 2:00–5:00 PM (JST, UTC+9)
Fully online
The pitch was live-streamed on YouTube. Viewer votes decide the Audience Award. The stream is available to watch as a recording.
Watch on YouTubeThe participation URL for finalists is different from the viewing URL above. It will be sent to you separately by email. Semi-finalists can watch via the viewing URL above.
The stream is available as a recording. Please share the URL above with your friends, colleagues, and supporters.
Rehearsal
A rehearsal will be held before the Open Pitch. We will test your connection, screen sharing, and walk through the event flow. Attendance is required.
Rehearsal scheduling information has been sent by email. Please check and respond with your preferred date and time.
— Day 2
Oct 20 (Tue) — Award Ceremony
Semi-finalists are also invited to the Award Ceremony. A semi-finalist certificate presentation will take place on the day, so we encourage you to attend in person if possible.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Makinohara City Community Center "Iira"
Part 1
Part 2
After
Exhibition
Exhibition booth
Exhibition booth participation is optional. A dedicated registration form will be provided — please wait for the announcement from the secretariat.
Each company’s booth consists of a table 90 cm wide × 45 cm deep and a panel 90 cm wide × 110 cm high.
(Precisely, two companies share one long 180 cm × 45 cm table, half each.) (One panel per company.)
We recommend placing products, catalogs, and brochures on the table and putting up a poster on the panel.
Please bring the supplies you need, such as pins and tape, just in case.(The secretariat will have some spares, but we cannot guarantee there will be enough, so please prepare your own.)
Important
If you ship exhibition items in advance
If you would like to ship items for your booth in advance, please send them to the address below with delivery specified to arrive by 16:00 on Monday, October 19.
〒421-0524
静岡県牧之原市須々木140
牧之原市相良総合センター いーら 宛
- * Please write “まきチャレ関係備品” (Maki-Challe supplies) in the remarks field.
- * Be sure to specify delivery by 16:00 on Monday, October 19.
Returning exhibition items
The secretariat will prepare a Yu-Pack cash-on-delivery (recipient pays) shipping label. Items will be sent back the next day, Wednesday, October 21.
140 Susuki, Makinohara, Shizuoka 421-0524, Japan
Shuttle bus (Oct 20) — A shuttle bus will run from Kakegawa Station to Iira, departing at 12:20 PM. For those staying the night before, there is also a bus from Shizunami Swing Beach at 12:30 PM. Details will be provided by the secretariat.
By train — From JR Shizuoka Station, Express Shizuoka–Sagara Line (approx. 70 min), or from JR Kanaya Station, Hagima Line (approx. 45 min), to "Sagara Hondori", then about a 12-minute walk / About 20–25 min by taxi from JR Kikugawa Station
By car — About 15 min from Tomei Expressway "Sagara-Makinohara IC" / about 30 min from "Yoshida IC"
Parking — Free parking available
Getting to Makinohara
From Tokyo — Tokaido Shinkansen to "Kakegawa Station" — about 1h 40min (Hikari) → taxi or rental car about 40 min to venue
From Nagoya — Tokaido Shinkansen to "Kakegawa Station" — about 1h 10min (Hikari) → taxi or rental car about 40 min to venue
From Shizuoka Station — JR Tokaido Line to "Kikugawa Station" — about 40 min → taxi about 20 min / about 1 hour by car from Shizuoka Station
From Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport — About 20 min by car. The airport serves domestic routes (Sapporo, Fukuoka, Okinawa, etc.) and international routes (Seoul, etc.)
Uotomo
1581-50 Jitogata, Makinohara, Shizuoka 421-0532, Japan
— Day 3
Oct 21 (Wed) — Collaboration Meetup
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 — 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Makinohara Incubation Center
Sponsor companies will host booths. You can book one-on-one business meeting slots in advance. Booking details will be announced separately. Priority for meeting slots on October 21 is given to finalists and semi-finalists.
Bus
Shuttle bus (Oct 21)
Morning
Return
The return bus goes to JR Kanaya Station (it does not stop at Kakegawa Station). If you are taking the Shinkansen, please transfer at Kanaya to the JR Tokaido Line to reach Kakegawa Station.
221-1 Nunobikihara, Makinohara, Shizuoka 421-0407, Japan
— Stay
Accommodation
Special rates are available at Shizunami Swing Beach for Makinohara Challenge 2026 participants, for the nights of October 19 and October 20. To request a room, please use the form sent to you by the secretariat. There are no convenience stores or restaurants near the hotel, so we recommend the plan with breakfast.
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can anyone watch the Open Pitch on October 1?
A. Yes. It was streamed free on YouTube and is now available as a recording.
Q. Are travel and accommodation costs covered?
A. Travel and accommodation are at each participant's own expense.
Q. Do I need a visa to enter Japan?
A. It depends on your nationality. Japan has visa exemption arrangements with many countries and regions for short stays. Please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. If you need a document confirming your participation for your visa application, please contact the secretariat.
MOFA Visa ExemptionsQ. How many people from my company can attend?
A. There is no limit. Please tell us the number of attendees in the form.