On February 3, 2025, the Regional Revitalization Center announced the 29th Hometown Event Grand Prize, which recognizes events across the country that aim to revitalize local areas. The top prize (Prime Minister's Award) was awarded to "Fukuchiyama Il Mirai to" from Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture. This is the first time that Kyoto and Shiga have won the Grand Prize.
This year's Grand Prize received 101 applications from across the country, and eight were awarded. "Il Mirai to" is an annual autumn event that decorates Fukuchiyama Castle with light and sound, and was started in 2018 by the Fukuchiyama Junior Chamber of Commerce and others. The judging committee evaluated the use of Fukuchiyama Castle, a local resource, in a variety of ways to suit the times, such as project mapping, and the use of ideas from local artists, students, and other young people.
Four events from Kyoto and Shiga have won prizes in the past, including "Isu-1GP" from Kyotanabe City and "Yuru-chara Festival" from Hikone City.
