Key Facts
• Fieldwork held on August 1, 2, and 4, 2025, in Suido-Suji Shopping Street.
• Organized as part of Professor Keita Matsushita’s sociology class at Kansai University.
• Focused on sustainable tourism, cultural understanding, and urban design.
• Approximately 20 students participated, divided into small groups.
• Activities included sketching shops and landscapes in the area.
• Students created short stories set in 2045, exploring digital nomads’ relationship with the community.
• Kobe chosen due to its international exchange and redevelopment potential post-earthquake.
• Students noted the warmth of shopkeepers and engaged in local shopping.
• Professor Matsushita plans to expand similar activities to other Kobe areas in the future.
Summary
Fieldwork in Suido-Suji Shopping Street, Kobe, took place on August 1, 2, and 4, 2025, under the theme of ‘Digital Nomads.’ Led by Kansai University Professor Keita Matsushita, the initiative aimed to explore sustainable tourism, cultural understanding, and urban design. Around 20 students participated, sketching local shops and landscapes while creating short stories set in 2045, imagining the relationship between digital nomads and the community. Kobe was chosen for its international exchange and redevelopment potential following past earthquake impacts. Students appreciated the warmth of shopkeepers, with some engaging in local shopping. Professor Matsushita expressed plans to continue similar activities in other Kobe areas.
