PAAK DESIGN wins Grand Prize for urban development in Obi Castle Town

PAAK DESIGN Co., Ltd., an architectural design and urban development firm based in Obi Castle Town, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, has received the Grand Prize at the Kyushu Tourism and Town Development Award 2026. The award, hosted by JR Kyushu, recognized the company's efforts to treat the entire region as a cohesive unit rather than isolated points for sustainable development.

Key initiatives cited include the operation of PAAK HOTEL, a distributed accommodation model that utilizes renovated 100-year-old traditional houses to encourage visitor circulation through the town. The company also manages PAAK STOCK, a hub for recycling and repurposing old timber and furniture, and the ‘Obi ni Tasuki’ project, which revitalizes historical buildings like the former Umemura residence for community use.

A ceremony and symposium are scheduled to take place in Tokyo on December 2, 2026, where the company's representative, Junzo Onitsuka, is expected to deliver a keynote speech.