[2025 Latest] The "Sanpo Yoshi" Way of Working! Workation Introduction Cases - Introducing Benefits, Promoting Companies, and Success Points

New Era of Work! Discover the Charm of Workation

What is "workation"?

"Workation" is a new way of working that combines "work" and "vacation." This style, where people work from tourist or resort destinations and enjoy sightseeing and relaxation in their free time, has gained attention with the spread of telework.

Workation can be broadly classified into two types depending on the purpose and work location. The first is "experiential workation," where the main purpose is vacation, and it is carried out as part of employee benefits. The second is "business-oriented workation," where work is the primary focus. In Japan, in particular, it is being promoted as part of regional revitalization efforts.

The reason why "Sanpo Yoshi" workations are gaining attention

With the spread of telework, "workation," which has emerged as one of the ways of working, offers benefits such as promoting the use of paid leave and improving employees' sense of belonging, which are also advantageous in attracting future talented individuals.

However, the current concept of "workation" extends beyond benefits for employees and recruitment. According to companies that have introduced workation, they incorporate elements of community contribution to create a "three-way win" situation for employees, the company, and the local community. This, in turn, fosters stronger relationships between all parties.

[For Users] 3 Benefits of Workation

Workation requires efforts that benefit employees, companies, and the local community. First, let's consider three benefits of workation from the user's perspective.

Benefit 1: You can expect stress reduction and a refreshing effect.

Workation offers the benefit of working while refreshing yourself by changing your environment from your usual workplace.

Working in resort or tourist areas allows you to switch to "play" whenever you're tired from work. This ease of switching between work and leisure, and the ability to clearly delineate between them, can lead to reduced stress.

Benefit 2: Improved operational efficiency

Even when working at the office, chores like cleaning and making copies start to pile up. Conversations with other employees take up my time, and my own work doesn't progress at all. When you look back at the end of the day, you haven't been very productive – have you had this experience?

With workations, you can tackle your tasks at times when you can best concentrate, allowing you to focus intensely on your work. As a result, you can expect improvements in work efficiency.

Benefit 3: It becomes easier to encounter new people and generate new ideas.

When you always work in the same place with the same people, ideas can become rigid. For those who have few opportunities to gain new information, workations that change location and people can be a great chance to spark creativity.

For example, when using a satellite office in a rural area, you'll find yourself working in the same space with colleagues you don't usually interact with. Working in a co-working space where people from a wide range of generations and industries gather allows for exchanges that transcend industry boundaries.

[For Businesses] 5 Benefits of Workation

This article looks at the ingenuity required for workations that benefit employees, companies, and the local community. Next, we will consider five benefits of workations from the company's perspective.

Benefit 1: Increased employee productivity

By incorporating workations, employees have the opportunity to work in new environments, refresh themselves, and increase their motivation for their work. With reduced mental and physical fatigue, employees can return to their duties feeling refreshed, leading to expected improvements in performance.

By placing employees in different environments, they are more likely to gain new perspectives and ideas. Resort areas and places surrounded by nature stimulate creative thinking and function as spaces that generate innovative ideas not obtainable in conventional work.

Benefit 2: Leads to talent acquisition

Companies that offer flexible work styles are attractive to young talent seeking remote work and flexible working arrangements. While many companies have introduced telework due to the times, few have adopted workations, making it a significant differentiator from competitors.

In this way, when companies promote diverse working styles, it will, as a result, lead to the acquisition of diverse talent.

Merit 3: Improved corporate value can be expected.

Introducing "workation" enhances the image of a progressive company that supports flexible work styles. Especially in the current era where remote work is emphasized, a corporate stance that prioritizes employee convenience is appreciated, leading to strengthened recruitment competitiveness and improved brand value.

Furthermore, by contributing to employee health promotion and improved work-life balance, the company's recognition as a socially responsible organization will increase. This will appeal to job seekers and be a significant advantage in recruitment.

Merit ④ Increased sense of belonging

When employees work together in a new environment, it fosters communication and cooperation that are difficult to achieve in a typical office setting. In particular, workations that incorporate collaborative projects and recreational activities contribute to improved teamwork.

Furthermore, the flexibility in working styles offered by workations enables employees to better realize their own work styles. This can lead to increased satisfaction with the company and a decrease in employee turnover.

Benefit ⑤ Can contribute to regional revitalization

By leveraging workations, companies can contribute to local economies and promote regional revitalization. Specifically, when employees stay in rural areas for extended periods, they stimulate the local economy through accommodation and dining. This allows companies to practice regional support as part of their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities. As a result, strengthened ties with local communities and an improved corporate social reputation can be expected.

Furthermore, working remotely in a region can contribute to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Through local activities and initiatives, let's support the region's goals related to education and environmental protection.

[Government/Local Community Side] Three Benefits of Workations

For workation, a model that benefits employees, companies, and the region is needed. Finally, from the company's perspective, let's consider three merits of workation.

Benefit 1: Can create demand for weekday travel

By attracting "workcations," travel demand can be expected even on weekdays, leading to increased use of tourist destinations, local accommodations, and restaurants. By dispersing tourism demand that was previously concentrated on weekends and holidays, weekday occupancy rates improve, leading to stable revenue for the regional economy.

As a result, the gap between peak and off-peak seasons for tourism narrows, leading to the revitalization of the local economy. For tourists, visiting on weekdays also has advantages, such as less crowded famous spots and shops.

Benefit 2: It leads to the revitalization of related businesses and job creation.

Workation is expected to revitalize regional economies by increasing the flow of people from urban to rural areas, which will boost local economic activities such as accommodations and restaurants. Furthermore, an increase in long-term stays, not just for tourism, is anticipated to lead to continuous consumption in local industries, significantly contributing to the revitalization of regional economies.

Furthermore, by connecting companies that have introduced workation systems with local businesses, there is also the possibility of new businesses being born. If these are created, they will lead to employment in regional businesses.

Benefit 3: You can build relationships with companies.

By fostering collaboration between local communities and companies through "workations," long-term relationships can be built. Local communities can offer support for businesses, and companies gain a platform to contribute to regional revitalization. Workations bring benefits to both sides.

Furthermore, by being utilized as a hub for corporate training and human resource development, it is expected to increase regional recognition and attract further investment. Through collaboration with companies, it will be possible to extend its appeal to demographics that are difficult for government and local authorities to directly reach.

[Businesses] 9 Case Studies of Introducing Workations

Even when a company introduces workation, it's meaningless if employees don't use it. To encourage active use, let's consider the optimal way to incorporate it by looking at examples from companies that have already introduced it.

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. introduced workations in 2017, making them a pioneer in this field. Aiming to improve employee health and promote regional revitalization, they conduct workations in resort areas and regional cities across Japan.

Specifically, we have planned and implemented retreat-style workcation programs and experience tours. By having employees work in rural areas, we aim to improve their refreshment and work efficiency, while also contributing to the promotion of local tourism. We are also collaborating with local businesses to support regional revitalization.

② Unilever Japan

Unilever Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of the world's largest consumer goods manufacturer. In 2016, they introduced the "WAA (Work Anywhere Anytime)" system, establishing a framework that allows employees to freely choose their work location and time.

This is a system that allows employees to work anywhere outside the company, with approval from their superiors, as long as it does not interfere with business operations. This way of working has already become deeply ingrained and is linked to the corporate culture, receiving high praise from employees who say, "It has reduced stress and increased motivation for work."

③ Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.

Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. is a company that offers a wide range of services, including consulting and IT solutions. In February 2018, they established a satellite office in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, enabling remote work.

Specifically, the system allows employees to perform their usual duties at satellite offices on weekdays and take time off on weekends. This is a successful case of workation that has broadened employees' perspectives on "how they spend their time" and "regional challenges."

④ Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.

Microsoft Japan does not have a "workation" system, or more precisely, a remote work system. Instead of singling out workation as something special, we have designed a system that incorporates both everyday and special circumstances under a single rule, allowing for a work style that is not bound by location.

Furthermore, employees are encouraged to "enjoy meeting people and collaborating while working in various locations." This reality is expanding as a system, and the company is evolving into one that can survive even in a challenging industry.

⑤ Salesforce.com, Inc.

Salesforce.com, Inc., which provides cloud applications and cloud platforms. In 2015, the company participated in a regional demonstration project by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and opened a satellite office in Nanki-Shirahama.

Now, more than ever, as we transition to a job-based system, the ability to design a system that advances work based on results rather than time is a major key. If trust is established, work can proceed smoothly even remotely, and employee initiative and innovative momentum can be expected.

6. Lancers Co., Ltd.

Lancers Inc., as a company that operates a platform for freelancers, had established an environment where work location is not a restriction and remote work is possible. In particular, in 2017, they created the "Employee Wanderlust Work System" to encourage workations in different regions.

Furthermore, a key feature of workations is the opportunity to participate in the operation and promotion of the company's regional revitalization programs. The information shared here also contributes to user understanding and service improvement.

⑦ LIFULL Co., Ltd.

"LIFULL Co., Ltd." disseminates information and plans/operates portal sites related to housing and real estate. They promote workcations aimed at regional revitalization and operate multi-location co-working facilities equipped with accommodation functions.

As a company, choosing to offer freedom in how we work has brought a positive impact to our recruitment efforts. It appeals to job-seeking students who aim to "work and live as their true selves."

⑧ Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd.

Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd. is a company that supports the creation of "places" that expand human potential from both "ICT" and "space" perspectives. Among its initiatives, "Netsu Elementary School," which utilizes former school sites, involves employees working in local communities while collaborating with them.

The biggest impact was the increased communication among employees. While the image of workation is often of going to a rural area to work alone, by participating as a company, we were also able to achieve the goal of team building.

⑨ Japan Management Association Management Center

"Japan Management Association Association Management Center Co., Ltd." which conducts human resource development support and publishing businesses. They are engaged in "Learning Workation," which connects companies and regions and structures region-specific experiences into learning programs.

Specifically, this has expanded into leadership development programs that foster collaboration between local businesses aiming to solve regional issues and companies, and programs that redefine and structure local resources as training.

[Local Governments] 5 Case Studies of Workation Implementation

Next, we will introduce five case studies of local governments introducing "workation" programs. By connecting regions and companies, they can bring about mutual learning and growth.

① Kitami City, Hokkaido

Source:Japan Tourism Agency

The reason Hokkaido's Kitami City introduced workation is related to its background of promoting corporate relocation. As a solution to the problem of students finding employment outside the city, they were considering the relocation of IT companies to Kitami City. However, they felt it would be difficult for new graduates to start working in Kitami City immediately, so they devised a model where employees would work in urban areas for a certain period after joining the company, and then return once they had gained experience and skills.

Utilizing vacant storefronts in shopping districts to establish satellite offices, collaborating with local universities, and conducting joint research projects where advancing companies' technologies solve local issues. We are pursuing various initiatives.

② Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture

Wakayama Prefecture, which focused on "furusato telework" (hometown telework) and attracting IT companies, mainly in the Nanki region. Based on this, in 2019, they collaborated with Nagano Prefecture to establish the "Working Vacation Municipalities Council." Since its establishment, 65 municipalities have joined as members, with the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture serving as chairman.

We also offer workation plans here in collaboration with the sea and hot spring resorts. We particularly promote a style that combines historical tourist destinations and cultural experiences, aiming to balance work and vacation. By focusing on what we already have, we effectively connect local businesses and people.

Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture

Source:Kyotango City Hall

Established in 2021, "Kyotango Living Lab" is comprised of various businesses and organizations primarily centered in Kyotango City. With Kyotango as its field, it aims to create a system for ongoing involvement by urban companies and business professionals, and is dedicated to building new collaborative and co-creative models that transcend boundaries.

As part of these initiatives, "workation" and "lerkation" plans are available. These include plans like "Experience the World of Japanese Swords" and "Organic Farm Work Experience." We offer not only the opportunity to work in an extraordinary location, but also experiences that enhance mental well-being and foster a rich life.

Kagawa Prefecture, Marugame City

Marugame City, located in the central-western part of Kagawa Prefecture, is promoting "workations" in cooperation with Zentsuji City, Kotohira Town, Tadotsu Town, and Mannō Town, which are member municipalities of the Setouchi Chūsān Regional Autonomy Circle.

A notable feature is the networking events held during the period, allowing participants to deepen connections with local residents. Isn't the experience of speaking with people deeply rooted in the community, whom you wouldn't encounter on a typical tour, something unique to workations? We propose workations where you can spend your time as if you were living there, surrounded by rich nature.

⑤ Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture

Goto City in Nagasaki Prefecture became interested in "workations" with the initial thought that it "could be an opportunity for former residents and students to return in the future." Around that time, a web media outlet reached out, and in May 2019, they held a remote work demonstration experiment. The relationships fostered with local residents led to a rapid expansion of their initiatives.

In Goto City, we value creating a system that fosters ongoing engagement, benefiting both visitors and the host community. For participants from urban areas, we offer themes that satisfy intellectual curiosity, providing opportunities for them to want to get involved. For local businesses, we focus on creating projects that make them eager to participate.

4 Key Points for a Successful Workation

While "workation" may seem to have only advantages at first glance, there are several crucial points to consider for this work style to be successful. Here, we've carefully selected and will introduce four of the most representative ones.

Security Measures

In workations, as you conduct business remotely, the risks of information leakage and cyberattacks increase. Ensure thorough use of secure VPNs, device management, and data encryption.

However, no matter how well you equip your company with antivirus software and communication environments, it's all for naught if your employees have low security awareness. To help them understand the disadvantages of neglecting security measures, it is necessary to conduct briefings and other events to change employee awareness.

② Review the Work Rules

"Working vacation" refers to a work style that allows you to enjoy your vacation while working at your travel destination. Therefore, it is essential to change your work rules to implement working vacations. Let's revise the rules to allow for a combination of vacation and work, which essentially means a combination of flextime and teleworking.

This allows for a work style that fully leverages the benefits of workation, such as working at your travel destination in the morning and then taking a half-day off in the afternoon to enjoy the tourist spots.

③ Review the personnel evaluation system

Workation presents several challenges for performance evaluations, such as the inability to observe work attitudes and the difficulty in grasping actions that lead to results or tracking work hours.

To evaluate achievements during workations, an evaluation system that prioritizes results rather than location is necessary. By considering remote work situations and establishing evaluation criteria based on the degree of specific goal achievement and output, fair personnel evaluations become possible.

To stipulate the costs to be borne

What expenses are covered by the company and what are covered by the employee? If it's not clear how much of the workation costs will be covered, financial dissatisfaction can erupt, potentially causing significant problems in the operation of the system.

That's why it's important to clearly define who is responsible for the costs associated with workations, such as transportation, accommodation, and communication. Common points of discussion include who will cover transportation and accommodation expenses, or whether they will be partially subsidized.

In conclusion

Workation is a style of working while enjoying leisure time in a location away from the workplace. While it may seem like a working style that only benefits employees, there are advantages for both companies and local communities.

However, when attracting workations, it is essential to prepare an environment where users can comfortably engage in their work. By all means, let's use this article as a reference to achieve a "win-win-win" workation.