Explore Japan’s culture, innovation and diversity at this Kyoto forum

Into the Bright is a platform for sharing creative and innovative ideas for the purpose of enacting positive social change. It’s the brainchild of Saffron Brand Consultants, a global brand consulting firm best known for facilitating Facebook’s transformation into Meta, and debuted at the Tate in London in December 2023. The inaugural event saw branding and creativity executives from organisations including YouTube, IBM and Unicef share their perspectives on topics such as design, marketing and technology.

During the Into the Bright forum in Kyoto, you'll be able to learn from prominent business executives from around the world. There will be a total of three sessions, themed ‘Innovation’, ‘Resilience’ and ‘Collaboration’ respectively.

Under each theme, you'll hear from acclaimed speakers including Jesús Encinar (founder and CEO of Idealista), Jacob Benbunan (CEO of Saffron Brand Consultants), Andrew Stark (former head of Meta’s Marketing and Growth Division and co-founder of Reflective Works), Martha Thorne (senior advisor to the Henrik F. Obel Foundation and former executive director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize), and Susanne Birbragher (president and founder of Liaisons corporation). For more information on the speakers, visit here.

At the forum, you’ll also get a chance to network with these esteemed individuals as well as other attendees.

World-renowned contemporary artist Takashi Murakami is currently holding his first major solo exhibition in Japan at the Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art. As part of the welcome reception of Into the Bright Kyoto, you'll get to visit the remarkable exhibition on a special private tour in the evening.

Of course, no visit to Japan would be complete without exploring the country's excellent food scene. During the forum’s welcome reception at the Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art, you'll get to taste the creations of Kunio Tokuoka, executive chef of Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant which has held this accolade for 12 years running.

Into the Bright Kyoto also includes a relaxing Zen experience at Kenninji Temple, considered to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. This historical institution is known to be the catalyst for spreading Zen Buddhism throughout Japan, and even influencing some of the world’s top managers through individuals like Steve Jobs.

An optional extra during the programme is visiting the city of Wajima in the Noto region, one of the communities hit the hardest by a destructive earthquake that struck the region last January. Known for its proud tradition of Wajima-nuri lacquerware, Wajima is on the road to recovery, as participants will be able to witness through visits to places such as the historic Taya lacquerware shop.

Into the Bright Kyoto takes place from August 28 to 31. Registration closes on August 16. To sign up, visit the website.