The Coming of Age Ceremony was held in 2026

On Monday, January 12, 2026 (a public holiday), The Coming of Age Ceremony was held at Yomiuriland Aurora Space, with a total of 803 attendees, including 759 residents of the city (out of 963 eligible) and 44 non-residents who wished to attend The Coming of Age Ceremony in Inagi City.
Following the screening of the opening movie (video letters from former teachers of each junior high school) and the opening attraction by the Japanese drum group "Koyu," the ceremony included an address by the Mayor of Inagi City and congratulatory remarks from the Chairperson of the Inagi City Council. Additionally, congratulatory video letters from Shogo Asano of the Yomiuri Giants and Naoki Hagiwara, gold medalist in goalball at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, were presented.
Also, thanks to the sponsorship of many companies and organizations, we were able to hold the event grandly.
A raffle for sponsored prizes was also held, and the venue was very lively.
We would like to introduce the companies and organizations that supported The Coming of Age Ceremony, as well as share the impressions of the 10 members of the executive committee.

Due Date

Monday, January 12, 2026 (National Holiday)

Venue

Yomiuri Land Aurora Space

Time

Morning Session

Reception from 10:00 AM
From 10:10 AM Opening Movie
From 10:50 AM Opening Attraction
11:00 AM to 11:45 AM Ceremony
Applicable School Districts: Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 3 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School

Afternoon Session

Reception from 12:30 PM
From 12:40 PM - Opening Movie
From 1:20 PM Opening Attraction
1:30 PM to 2:15 PM Ceremony
Applicable School Districts: Inagi Dai 2 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 5 Junior High School, Inagi Dai 6 Junior High School

Program

Opening

Opening Movie (Video Letters from Teachers of Each Junior High School)

Opening Attraction (Taiko performance by the Taiko group "Koyu")

Ceremony

1. National Anthem Singing

2. City Song Singing

3. Organizer's Address by Mayor of Inagi City, Katsuhiro Takahashi

4. Congratulatory Address by Guest Representative, Chairman of Inagi City Council, Takefumi Sakata

5. Words of Celebration (Video Letter)

　Shogo Asano, Yomiuri Giants

　Naoki Hagiwara, Gold Medalist in Goalball at Paris 2024 Paralympics

6. Introduction of Sponsoring Companies and Organizations

7. Lottery

8. Greeting from the Adult Representative - Chairperson of The Coming of Age Ceremony Executive Committee, Dai Hasegawa

Companies and organizations that have sponsored us (in alphabetical order)

• Izakaya Dining Ren
• Japanese Fish Pub Baigetsu
• Inagi Natural Hot Spring Tokinoirodori
• Confectionery Shop Miyoshi
• Ortorana
• Yano Kuchi Kindergarten, Children's Forest Educational Institution
• Komazawa Gakuen Educational Institution
• Tokyo Aoba Academy Aoba Kindergarten
• Tokyo Nashi no Mi Gakuen Rika Kindergarten
• Hanano Oka Gakuen School Corporation Hanabusa Kindergarten
• Ohtani Shoten Co., Ltd.
• Kushiyaki Asobimaru
• Coach and Four Wakabadai Store
• Komakusa Kindergarten
• Social Welfare Corporation Inagi Aobakai Shiroyama Nursery School
• Social Welfare Corporation Higashi Nursery School Hongo Yushi Nursery School
• Social Welfare Corporation Higashi Nursery School Matsuba Nursery School
• Chateraise Inagi Store
• Shoya Yanokuchi Store
• All Japan Kickboxing Association Inagi Kickboxing Gym
• Underground Dining & Cafe Tsudoi
• Tokyo Verdy Co., Ltd.
• Tokyo South Agricultural Cooperative Inagi Branch
• Dohtonbori Inagi Store
• Yomiuri Giants Co., Ltd.
• Yomiuri Land Hanakage no Yu Co., Ltd.
• Yomiuri Land Co., Ltd.

We received sponsorship from 27 companies and organizations.
The sponsored items we received will be distributed to the winners through a fair and strict lottery.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the companies and organizations that have supported us.

From the Coming of Age Ceremony Executive Committee: "After the Coming of Age Ceremony"

We received feedback from the members of the Coming of Age Ceremony Executive Committee who were involved in the planning and operation of the ceremony for about six months.

Mr. Dai Hasegawa (Chairperson, Inagi Dai 5 Junior High School alumnus)

　I am truly grateful to have been given the position of Chairperson this time and to have been involved in the splendid stage shared with friends who grew up together in Inagi. Throughout the six months since the formation of the Executive Committee, the phrase I constantly kept in mind was "a day to never forget." Although I do not know how the ceremony was perceived in the hearts of all participants, being a catalyst for many reunions made this day one I will never forget for the rest of my life. I hope the future of all 963 people will be bright and shining.
 

Yuna Oga (Vice Chairperson, Inagi Dai 5 Junior High School)

　On the day of The Coming of Age Ceremony, I received many congratulatory words of "Congratulations" from numerous people. It was then that I truly realized I was in the position to be congratulated. I believe this feeling came from my role as a member of The Coming of Age Ceremony Committee, where from the preparation stage I received video letters from junior high school teachers and visited local companies to request sponsorships, which made me feel like I was on the welcoming side. Serving as a committee member gave me many opportunities to interact with those who supported me and to think deeply about the ceremony. Because of this, the word "Congratulations" resonated even more deeply in my heart on that day.

Taiga Asami (Public Relations and Video Coordinator, Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School graduate)

　Through my activities as an executive committee member, I began to think about what kinds of experiences over the past 20 years have shaped who I am today. However, when I look back, there are only a few things I can clearly recall. Still, if I were to look back again 20 years from now, I am certain that my experience as an executive committee member will be one of the memories I remember.
　I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Inagi City and my fellow committee members who gave me such a special experience.

Haruki Hidaka (Host, graduate of Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School)

　First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the staff and everyone involved who devoted their efforts to this ceremony.
　Having completed this ceremony, I feel glad to have been able to serve as the host. If I had done nothing, it might have just been an ordinary day, but this experience has become a great asset for my future self.
　To those younger ones who are unsure about joining the executive committee, please gather your courage and give it a try.

Maika Yamada (Host, Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School graduate)

　For me, the Coming of Age Ceremony Executive Committee was a valuable experience where I truly felt connections with many people. Through the executive committee, I once again realized that I was able to carry out activities with the support of many, including the Lifelong Learning Division staff, all the employees, sponsoring companies and organizations, and the athletes who sent video messages. I am also sincerely happy that, by cooperating with my fellow executive committee members, we successfully held the ceremony and shared this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity together.

Saki Ishibashi (Host, Inagi Dai 2 Junior High School graduate)

　Being able to serve as a committee member during the milestone year of turning 20 was a valuable experience that taught me a lot. Through the preparations and management, I truly felt the weight of responsibility and the importance of cooperation. When I saw everyone who turned 20 reunite with their local friends and happily converse, I sincerely felt how glad I was that the ceremony was a success. I am truly grateful to everyone involved.

Mayuka Toudou (Public Relations and Video Production, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School graduate)

　I am very honored to be involved as an executive committee member on the important once-in-a-lifetime day of The Coming of Age Ceremony. I was hesitant to participate when a senior at my part-time job invited me, but I was strongly drawn to the idea of conveying feelings to everyone turning twenty through video production.
　The time spent preparing the ceremony in cooperation with people from other schools was a very moving experience, as it felt like looking back on my junior high school days spent in Inagi.
　Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who cooperated in holding the ceremony.　

Jinra Hamagami (Public Relations and Video Production, Inagi Dai 4 Junior High School graduate)

　As a committee member, I am very honored to have been able to be involved in the preparation and operation of the ceremony representing the twenty-year-olds of Inagi City. Since The Coming of Age Ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime big event, we proceeded with preparations aiming for it to become a lifelong memory for all participants. There were times when I felt it was tough, but now that we have successfully held the ceremony, I am glad I served as a committee member.
　Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Lifelong Learning Division and everyone who devoted their efforts to the preparation and operation of the ceremony.

Yuriko Mototani (Public Relations and Video Production, Inagi Dai 5 Junior High School alumna)

　As a member of the organizing committee for The Coming of Age Ceremony, I am grateful for the opportunity to be deeply involved in the event. The preparations starting six months ago and the experience on the day itself were very valuable to me. When my friends said, "Thank you, committee member, and good job," I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I would also like to once again thank my fellow committee members, the Lifelong Learning Division, and everyone involved in holding the ceremony. Thank you very much.

Jurina Nagasaki (Host, Inagi Dai 6 Junior High School graduate)

　In January five years ago, when the coming-of-age ceremony at that time was featured in the news, I felt, "I want to be involved in managing such an important ceremony." And now, after five years, I am very happy to have actually had that experience.
　At this year's The Coming of Age Ceremony, I stood in front of everyone as a person who has changed greatly since my junior high school days. I was a little nervous, but many people told me, "You look wonderful" and "You're cute," which made me feel very warm inside.
　Once again, thank you very much to everyone who came.