Providing "genuine experiences" through hotel work experience and a variety of programs to provide "real experiences" through a wide variety of programs and hotel work experience. Hotel becomes a place for after-school learning "School Children's Hotel" Starts Accepting Applications for the Second Term Trial and information sessions will be held on April 6 and 7.

HORONIC, a non-profit general incorporated association (Location: Higashinada-ku, Kobe; President: Ichiro Osada), will begin accepting applications for its second term of operation in late March 2026.

The Hotel for Children is a new learning place that nurtures children's independence and imagination through a variety of programs such as job experience, creative activities, and nature experience in the extraordinary space of a hotel.

In the first term, 32 children out of approximately 100 applicants participated in the program, which included hotel exploration, occupational experience, and hands-on programs led by outside lecturers. The children deepened their understanding of society and work by learning about the behind-the-scenes of a hotel and experiencing the work of the staff and chefs.

In this second phase of recruitment, the program is scheduled to run every Tuesday from May to October 2026. The program provides an opportunity for children to give shape to their "I want to try it" through hands-on experience and nurture their self-confidence and independence. In addition, prior to the application period, a hands-on experience and information session will be held on Monday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 7 to allow children to experience the initiatives of the Gakudo Hotel.

Main visual

Making a Christmas cake

Experiencing musical instruments for the first time

Overview of the Experience and Information Sessions

The second term of the Hotel for Children of School Age "hands-on experience and explanatory meeting" - scheduled to start in May! ～ ～April 6, 2026 (Monday)

Date: Monday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Eligibility ： Target: 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders living in Kobe City

　　　　　　*If there are too many applications, a strict lottery will be held,

　　　　　　　If there are too many applications, we will select the participants after a strict lottery.

Fee: Free of charge

Program:

4/6 (Mon.) Part 1: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

　Experience program of "Feel the Bounty of the Forest" by Nissay Green Foundation

4/7 (Tue) Part 1: 11:00-13:00

　Awaji Shirasu (baby sardines) Exploration Program by Fujimoto Suisan (Awaji)

4/7 (Tue) Part 2: 14:00-16:00

　Creativity born from Bamboo" Bamboo craft experience by Manmanaru

Part 1: about 2 hours *About 15 people are expected for each part.

Children's Program】 【Contents

Time required: approx. 120 min.

(1)Introduction

(2)Experience program: Table manners taught by hotel professionals

(3)Special experience program: *Depends on the date and time of participation

(4)Children: Snack time delivered by a pastry chef

　 Parents: Explanation of the second term application

(5)Closing remarks End

*Registration will begin 30 minutes prior to each event time, so please arrive 10 minutes prior.

Venue : 11-1 Kaigan-dori, Tarumi-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

　　　　　　　 Villa Residence" in Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko

Inquiries: info@gakudohotel.or.jp

Gakudo Hotel official website: https://www.gakudohotel.or.jp/

For information session and reservation for pre-trial, please fill out the following form.

Reservation Form

Villa Residence" in Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko

Residence Suite

We want to provide opportunities for "encounters" that move the heart and "rich learning" because every experience is connected to the "future.

We want to provide opportunities for "encounters" and "rich learning" that move people's hearts and minds.

What is a hotel for after-school care?

Children's everyday life is a series of "firsts. However, there are differences in the opportunities for children to experience these experiences depending on their family environment. The Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko was launched with the aim of narrowing this gap in experiences, even if only slightly. We provide a place where children can find their "likes" and "strengths" through real work and encounters with people in the special space of a hotel. Furthermore, the sight of children spending time in a lively atmosphere provides peace of mind for their guardians. As a "third place" where children can learn, experience, and interact with each other, the school-age hotel will spread the cycle of smiles in the community.

Background and Objectives

HORONIC Corporation, which operates the Hotel CETRAY, has been promoting community-based experiential tourism and exchange, using the hotel as a base for disseminating local attractions. To further develop this economic activity and start the "School Children's Hotel" concept with the aim of contributing to the children who will lead the region in the next generation, we have established a non-profit general incorporated association, HORONIC Co.

Children's everyday life is full of "firsts. However, the reality is that opportunities for such experiences vary depending on the family environment. We opened Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko as a "hotel for schoolchildren" with the aim of eliminating the disparity in experiences. The hotel provides a place where children can discover their "likes" and "strengths" by being exposed to the real thing and interacting with serious adults in the special environment of a hotel. It is also a relief and joy for parents to see their children return home with a satisfied face. As a "third place" that offers learning, experience, and connection, the Hotel for School-Age Children will expand the cycle of smiles for both parents and the local community.

Outline of the School Children's Hotel

Operator: General Incorporated Association HORONIC Co.

Cooperation: HORONIC Corporation / Local companies and organizations / Volunteers

Target: 15 elementary school students (3rd grade to 6th grade) living in Kobe City

Dates : Every Tuesday

Place: "Villa Residence" in Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko

Social issues faced by the hotel for children of school age: "Eliminating the experience gap" and "Giving parents more time and space

Social issues to be faced

We aim to provide rich experiences for all children. We want to eliminate the "experience gap.

Depending on the family's economic situation and environment, there is a big difference in the quantity and quality of experiences that children can have. This "experience gap" affects learning opportunities and future options.

At the School Children's Hotel, we take advantage of the extraordinary space of a hotel to provide authentic experiences that bring children into contact with local people, culture, and nature. We provide all children with opportunities to learn and encounter things that move their hearts.

The "experiences" that children gain are not equal. 1 in 3 children from low-income households have never had an out-of-school experience.

Source: https://cfc.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cfc_taiken_report2307.pdf

1 in 2 children without parental experience 1 in 2 children without parental experience 2x as many children participate when parental experience is available

Source: Chance for Children

https://cfc.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cfc_taiken_report2307.pdf

Factors causing experience disparity/economic disparity, regional disparity, parental experience, educational style experience disparity is not a child's problem that affects the child's social development, class, or occupation environment, less experience narrows children's possibilities and prevents them from reaching their full potential.

● More space in parents' minds and time.

In today's world of dual-income families and multi-child households, how children spend their time after school has become a major issue for parents. We hear many parents say, "I don't have a safe place to leave my child until after work," or "I want to give my child more experiences, but I don't have the time or the luxury.

The "school-children's hotel" is not just a place to take care of children, but a "place to learn and grow" where parents can entrust their children with peace of mind, bringing peace of mind to parents. In addition, when children spend quality time with their parents, the parents themselves have "time for themselves" and "room to take a break," and the parent-child relationship in the increasing number of single-mother and single-father households will become warmer and more positive.

Increase in dual-earner households

Source: Independent Administrative Institution, National Institute for Labour Policy and Training

https://www.jil.go.jp/kokunai/statistics/timeseries/html/g0212.html

Increase in single-mother and single-father households

Source: Gender Equality Bureau

https://www.gender.go.jp/about_danjo/whitepaper/r01/zentai/html/zuhyo/zuhyo01-05-09.html

Weekday daily schedule of average working mothers and working fathers

Source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000237.000015099.html

Q. What was the most difficult thing about raising children?

Source: Kumamoto Seikatsu Ouen Shimbun

https://spice.kumanichi.com/other/137693/

Not having enough time for myself

Not having enough time for my children

Fig.

What we can do because we are Hotel CETRAY

01. experiences only possible at a hotel

You can experience the "extraordinary" and the "real thing. For example, cooking with a first-class chef or experiencing the work of hotel staff. In this special space and service that cannot be experienced normally, children will learn using all five senses and discover their "likes" and "strengths.

02. connection with the local community

We create opportunities for children to connect with the local community through experiences interacting with local farmers, craftsmen, fishermen, and other local adults. This is an opportunity for children to experience the charm and wisdom of the local community, and to grow to love the town where they grew up even more.

03. relaxing space

We provide a "place of relaxation" where children can feel at ease in an open space that only a hotel can offer. The spacious lobby and nature-inspired terrace provide a comfortable environment that is different from home or school, allowing both body and mind to relax.

04 Chef-prepared meals

We provide safe and delicious meals prepared by professional chefs that only a hotel can offer. The menu, which uses seasonal ingredients and is nutritionally balanced, has a special yet familiar taste for children. Through food, new discoveries and excitement can be made.

family cafeteria

■The Future of Children Nurtured by the School Children's Hotel

01. average weekday schedule of a working mother and father

At the Kakuho Hotel, children will have the opportunity to interact with chefs, concierges, farmers, craftsmen, and other "real adults" who are serious about their work. Children will say, "This is interesting! I want to try it! and "I want to try it! This first step will lead them to find their dreams and "likes" for the future.

02. encountering diverse people will expand their world

Friends from different grades and schools, and adults from all walks of life in the community.

At the hotel, there are many opportunities to interact with people you would not normally encounter in your daily life. Such realizations will gradually soften the children's hearts and broaden their perspectives.

03. A place that supports "I want to try it" leads to self-confidence

We value children's desire to "try! The style of the hotel is to listen to children's small interests, think together with them, and give shape to their feelings. Through repeated experiences of thinking and working on their own, children naturally gain self-confidence and a sense of self.

This is not just an after-school activity. It is a time that leads to their future selves.

04. children's growth and parents' peace of mind. For a gentle time for parents and children

Having a place where children can spend their time in peace gives parents more time and space to relax. This relaxation warms the relationship between parents and children and increases the amount of time spent smiling. The school-children's hotel also provides an opportunity for parents of the same child-rearing generation to get to know each other. Above all, it is an opportunity for parents to look forward to the day when they send their children off to school and wonder what they will experience today. It is a great way to look forward to the day when you send your child off to school.

Positioning

Positioning

Outline of the Hotel for Children of School Age

Target : 3rd to 6th graders living in Kobe City

Date ： Every Tuesday

Location : "Villa Residence" in Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko

Outline of the Hotel for School Children

A day at the hotel

Daily schedule

■Example of a work experience program

Work experience - Housekeeper

Experience program

■For your support

Scheme

■About Partner Membership

Individual and Corporate Partnership Menu

For your support

■Media Tour Information

A hands-on tour of this activity will be held for the media on April 6 (Mon.) and 7 (Tue.), 2026, in conjunction with the "Information Session & Pre-trial Meeting" at the School Children's Hotel. Free tours of the facility will be available on the day. We understand that you are busy, but we sincerely hope that you will take this opportunity to visit the hotel.

Details

Date: ・4/6(Mon.) Part 1: 13:00-15:00

　　　　　Experience program of "Feel the Blessings of the Forest" by Nissay Green Foundation

　　　　　April 7 (Tue.) Part 1: 11:00-13:00

　　　　　Awaji Shirasu (baby sardines) Exploration Program by Fujimoto Suisan (Awaji)

　　　　　4/7 (Tue) Part 2: 14:00-16:00

　　　　　Creativity Born from Bamboo" Bamboo Craft Experience by Manmanaru

　　　　　*Part 1: about 2 hours

Venue ："Villa Residence" in Hotel Setore Kobe Maiko

Contents ：Observation tour, dessert tasting, individual interviews, overview of the schoolchildren's hotel

How to apply: Please use the above two-dimensional code to apply.

　　　　　Please use public transportation as much as possible.

　　　　　Parking is limited,

　　　　　If you plan to use a parking lot, please be sure to include a note to that effect.

Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 18:00

■Company Profile

General Incorporated Association HORONIC

Fat Officers

Representative Director: Ichiro Osada (Representative Director of HORONIC Co., Ltd.)

Director: Akihiko Ebata (HORONIC Co., Ltd. / Hotel Settore)

Tomomi Kanai (Representative Director of Labor Cooperative Children's Editorial Department)

Director : Yuri Nakao (Representative of Hoshi no Aima Kyodo)

Junko Yabuuchi (Director of HORONIC Co., Ltd.)

Date of establishment: July 24, 2025

Location: Kobe Fashion Mart 10F, 6-9, Koyo-cho Naka, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City

　　　　　　 (Branch) 11-1 Kaigan-dori, Tarumi-ku, Kobe City

Operation of a hotel for school children

URL: https://www.gakudohotel.or.jp/