Hello, this is Robert from the ATC Management Strategy Office. This time, I'll be writing in a slightly different style than usual.

From July to August of this year, ATC asked visitors to complete a survey. Over 8,000 people responded. Many of them went beyond the scope of the questions we prepared, writing about their own memories and anecdotes, and we received more than 5,000 such comments.

I read through everything. To be honest, I stopped several times. There were many moments when I read a sentence and just stared at the screen for a while.

Today, I'd like to write about two things, using those words as a starting point. One is the question, "What is ATC?", which is so basic that no one usually answers it directly. The other is a bit more personal.

What is ATC? Based on the words of over 8,000 customers.

During a brainstorming session in the Management Strategy Office to discuss the future of ATC, this ideal vision emerged: "A place where people from all over the world gather, and where inspiration and wonder are born." In English, it's expressed as: "Where the world comes together, wonder begins."

These words might sound a little idealistic. However, after reading the feedback from over 8,000 customers, I finally felt that these words connected with the actual time and experiences everyone has had at ATC.

When people hear "ATC," many might think of events. And of course, events are an important entry point. Tomica Expo, Ghibli Park Exhibition, Dance Festival. Many people first learn about this place through events. However, much of what was written in the survey was about what happens after the events are over.

A man in his 30s wrote the following:

Perhaps ATC was a special place for this person even on days when there were no events, no tickets, and no particular reason to be there. I heard similar sentiments from people who work at the facility.

Even on ordinary days, there are people who cherish the time they spend here. And, as expected, many of the stories written here were about human relationships.

One woman in her 40s recalled:

Another man in his 50s shared a similar story.

In particular, I reread a sentence written by a man in his 40s many times.

The building remains unchanged, yet the people walking beside you seem to grow a little bigger each time. Perhaps this is precisely what ATC should cherish.

One person left behind just one line: "I took a walk along the coast with my late father." That single line, so brief, struck me deeply.

There was something in common in the words used in relation to work. One woman in her 30s wrote this:

A man in his 30s continued:

The presence of the ocean. The accumulation of 30 years, where people who were once children here now return with their own children. And the unique events and culture that can only be found here. When these three things come together, I believe ATC becomes more than just a commercial facility, but a place where milestones in life are marked.

"A place where people from all over the world gather, and where inspiration and wonder are born." I believe this phrase refers to more than just the event itself. The event serves as a catalyst, and everyone gathered here will continue to build their own unique experiences. Reading the comments of over 8,000 customers, I was reminded once again that the "ideal state" we envisioned during our brainstorming sessions lies within these accumulated experiences.

ATC for me

From here on, it's a bit of a personal story.

My first visit to ATC was last February. To be honest, I was a little confused at first. There were two buildings, the O's Building and the ITM Building, and a complex network of open spaces. I couldn't remember where everything was.

Even so, I was overwhelmed by the power of the architecture itself from the very beginning. In a previous article , I wrote that ATC is called the "Dream Core," and while writing that article, I recalled a little of the feeling I had when I first stepped into this place. The impression I had that day has still not faded.

However, after working here for a while, my perspective gradually changed. The architecture, the ocean views, and the big events are certainly all part of ATC's appeal. But I realized that ultimately, it's the people who work here and the people who visit ATC that bring all of that together. I think the charm of ATC comes from the thoughts and activities of the people who work here.

As I mentioned in an article I wrote in the spring , the free rental of straw mats at Umiere Square started as an idea from one employee. It wasn't a flashy project or a large-budget initiative. Nevertheless, we received an overwhelming number of comments from people who actually spread out the mats and gazed at the sea. A small idea can enrich someone's day, even if only slightly. I've witnessed that firsthand.

To be honest, last year's Osaka-Kansai Expo was incredibly hectic. Even amidst that hustle and bustle, I realized something: ATC is supported not only by its building and location, but by the people involved. A small idea someone comes up with amidst the busyness becomes the seed for the next project. Someone inspires someone else, and new ideas are born. Working here, you encounter those moments countless times.

"A place where people from all over the world gather, and where inspiration and wonder are born." When these words were coined during our brainstorming session, to be honest, they felt like a somewhat distant ideal. But now, I see them in a slightly different light. It's not just visitors who gather here. The staff who work here, the tenants—everyone contributes a little bit, and this place is made up of all of that combined effort. To be honest, I don't yet know what kind of inspiration will emerge from here next. Nevertheless, I believe that the seeds of that inspiration will surely grow somewhere within this accumulation of experiences.

Also, a mat in Umiere Square

Let me talk about one more thing, even though it might be a little premature. The free rental of straw mats that we experimentally conducted at Umiere Square this spring came to an end at the end of May. However, we often hear people within the company saying that they would like it to come back now that the weather is getting cooler. Although there has been no official announcement yet, we are secretly thinking about spreading out the straw mats in that square once again this fall.

What will start at ATC after summer?

As I mentioned briefly in my summer series, ATC is already shaping up to be lively this fall. The preliminary rounds for the 39th ATC Sakishima Dance Festival will begin on Sunday, September 6th. On Sunday, September 13th, the ATC Seaside Hawaiian Festival, featuring hula and Polynesian dance teams, will be held on the ATC Seaside Stage.

And in October, the Sakishima Children's EXPO 2026 is also scheduled. Even after summer ends, the lively atmosphere of this place seems to continue, albeit in a different form.

This has turned out to be quite long. This time, the writing style is a little different from my usual articles, but after reading the words of over 8,000 customers, I felt compelled to write it down.

Perhaps you, too, have some small memories related to ATC. I would be happy if you could add a little more to them the next time you visit this site.

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