Members of wacco assisting Miyoko Goto (center) with her luggage and walking support – 14th, at the Yamato House Prest Dome

It is said that as people age, they experience a series of losses due to declining physical and mental functions and changes in their social connections. The voluntary group “Multi-Generation Circle wacco” in Sapporo, formed by students from Hokkaido University, not only supports the lives of elderly people through paid volunteer work by university students but also carries out activities to fulfill the wishes of the elderly and foster mutual aid. It aims to connect young people and the elderly and build a society where they can live together in a fulfilling way.

“This moving experience will be a healing for my aging self and a support for my heart going forward.” On the 14th, Miyoko Goto (77) from Nabari City, Mie Prefecture, rushed to the final tour of the popular idol group “Arashi” held at the Yamato House Prest Dome (Sapporo Dome) in Toyohira Ward, Sapporo City, with a beaming smile on her face.

Yamato House Prest Dome

The Yamato House Prest Dome is a large, multi-purpose indoor arena located in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 1996, it was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kashihara City’s incorporation and is named after the ancient Yamato region, the historical and cultural heartland of early Japan. It primarily serves as a venue for concerts, sporting events, and exhibitions.

Sapporo Dome

The Sapporo Dome is a multi-purpose stadium in Sapporo, Japan, which opened in 2001. It is notable for its unique retractable surface system, allowing it to switch between a grass pitch for soccer and an artificial turf for baseball. It was a venue for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and is the home of the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo soccer team and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball team.

Hokkaido University

Hokkaido University is Japan’s first modern academic institution to grant bachelor’s degrees, founded in 1876 as the Sapporo Agricultural College. It was established during Japan’s Meiji era modernization, initially modeled after American land-grant colleges to advance agricultural science and develop Hokkaido. Today, it is a leading national research university known for its expansive, tree-lined campus and strengths in agriculture, environmental science, and engineering.

Sapporo

Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan, founded officially in 1868 during the Meiji era as part of a planned development of Japan’s northern frontier. It is now internationally famous for hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which began in 1950. The city’s modern grid layout and its historical beer brewing industry, dating to 1876, reflect its unique blend of Western-inspired planning and Japanese culture.

Nabari City

Nabari is a city located in Mie Prefecture, Japan, historically known as a vital post station on the Iseji Route of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network. It developed as a castle town under the Nabari Clan during the Edo period. Today, it is recognized for its natural hot springs and as a gateway to the surrounding mountainous and rural landscapes.

Mie Prefecture

Mie Prefecture, located in central Japan, is historically significant as the home of the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingū), Japan’s most sacred Shinto site, which dates back to the 3rd century. The region is also famous for its traditional pearl cultivation in Ago Bay and its deep connection to the ninja culture of Iga.

Toyohira Ward

Toyohira Ward is one of the ten wards of Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan. Historically, it developed as a key residential and administrative area following Sapporo’s designation as the prefectural capital in the late 19th century, with the Toyohira River serving as an important water source and transportation route. Today, it is known for its blend of urban convenience and natural attractions, including Moerenuma Park, a large art park designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

Sapporo City

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan, founded officially in 1868 during the Meiji period as part of a planned development of Japan’s northern frontier. It is now internationally famous for its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, its beer brewing heritage dating to 1876, and as the host of the 1972 Winter Olympics.