Moeginomura Co., Ltd. President and CEO Joji Funaki 舩木 上次

Spending time with the late Dr. Paul Rush, known as the 'Father of Kiyosato,' since childhood. It all began with the opening of the ROCK café in 1971, followed by the establishment of Moeginomura Co., Ltd. in 1977. This venture has grown Kiyosato Moeginomura into a complex tourism area featuring restaurants, hotels, a beer brewery, cafes, a merry-go-round, a music box museum, various craft shops, and workshops. Despite witnessing the rapid development and decline of Kiyosato, our goal has been to transform Kiyosato into a tourist destination with a strong regional culture that offers genuine hospitality and inspiration.

In 1990, he initiated various unique activities to contribute to Kiyosato's revitalization, including the creation of the 'Kiyosato Field Ballet,' the only long-running outdoor ballet performance in Japan. Joji have remained committed to these endeavors without succumbing to passing trends. At the core of his mission lies Dr. Paul Rush's motto: 'Do your best, and it must be first class.'