As part of its 20th anniversary initiatives, Hands On Tokyo co-hosted the “Inclusive Festival 2026” in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education and BumB Tokyo Sports Culture Center. The program was held as a core experiential event within “Inclusive in BumB: Thinking Together with High School Students.”
A total of 282 participants visited our diversity and inclusion–themed experiential booths, supported by 113 dedicated volunteers. The venue was filled with smiles and a warm atmosphere, as people of all abilities, ages, genders, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds came together to meet, experience, and connect with one another.
At the Blind Sports Club Nogizaka Knights booth, Diversity Recreation, participants wore eye masks and took part in games that encouraged them to imagine how others feel and communicate in new ways. The activity created a fun and meaningful opportunity to experience cooperation and empathy beyond visual cues.
We were also joined by NPO Ryoiku World, who facilitated both the Human Library and Think Box programs. In the Human Library, participants became “readers” and engaged in dialogue with “books”-individuals living with disabilities or rare diseases-gaining insight into personal stories and perspectives they had not encountered before. In Think Box, participants used hands-on tools to experience differences in vision, hearing, and mobility, and then reflected together on what they felt and learned. One participant shared, “It was a meaningful time where I encountered stories and emotions I had never known before, and deepened my understanding of others.”
From setting up the venue to running the programs and clean up at the end of the day, volunteers from diverse backgrounds worked side by side. As they moved their hands together, conversations naturally began, and connections grew across generations and nationalities, truly embodying the spirit of the Inclusive Festival. We hope that the encounters, dialogue, and collaboration born here will inspire more people to think about how we can create a society where everyone can live with greater ease and belonging.