Hirotaka Koeto of Marugoto Rikuzentakata

Hirotaka Koeto
Director
Marugoto Rikuzentakata

Originally from Kuji, Mr. Koeto was attending graduate school at Iwate University when the disaster hit. Soon afterwards he had an opportunity to go to Rikuzentakata and help out with the opening of a temporary market, but he wanted to do more. In 2013, he moved to Rikuzentakata. He started working for the technical committee of Rikuzentakata's Tourism Association in 2014.

In 2016, he founded Marugoto Rikuzentakata. Currently, in addition to running lodging facilities, he is working on plans and business negotiations to increase the number of people coming to Rikuzentakata.

"Learning" as a strength

Marugoto Rikuzentakata's main activities include corporate training, university classes, study trips for middle and high school students, inbound marketing, and increasing the number of visitors to Rikuzentakata.

"A great number of people who wouldn't have come if not for the disaster have visited Rikuzentakata. While many of those people have become fond of Rikuzentakata, they also want to take back the things that occurred here and what they've seen of the town rebuilding itself up from zero as a form of "learning". I think that "learning" element that Rikuzentakata brings out in people is the town's strength," he said on the idiosyncrasy of visiting Rikuzentakata.

"Having so many people visit also broadens the local people's views. I think this is another aspect of rebuilding the town," he says, speaking of the importance of communication.

Using our relationships for the town

Mr. Koeto helps run lodging facilities that differ from other accommodations in that he has his guests farm and fish themselves. This way, they build a stronger and more personal bond over their stay as they act as a member of the household. "Right now I have about 160 households helping out. By fall this year, I'm hoping to increase it to 280 households." He is pouring a lot of hard work into increasing visitors to Rikuzentakata, and taking them in during their visits.

He will continue to build relationships with people and strive towards revitalizing the community.