The Flavor of Endo | Takao Yamazaki, Administrative Director of Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC)
Over the past few months, I have had opportunities to visit Endo in the city of Fujisawa—where Shonan Fujisawa Campus (also known as SFC) is located—and its surrounding areas. As I visited various places, I began to discover that this region has many hidden local specialties likeMeats, fruits, vegetables, teas—they are all fresh and delicious. Despite being far from the station, I often spot wonderful restaurants around the campus as well. Once, while out for lunch away from the campus, I happened to see a Japanese tea shop and was surprised to find one so close by.
Walking through the town like this, my gaze naturally shifts from the existence of SFC itself to the connections between SFC and the community. While Keio University has six campuses, it is no exaggeration to say that no other campus is bound to its local region by such deep ties. Speaking with shopkeepers, I learned that students have already visited them for fieldwork as part of their classes, showing that collaboration with the community is well underway. I feel once again that the educational and research activities on campus are supported by the local climate and the people who live and work here.
In the midst of these days, I happened to hear from a Fujisawa resident that the city surprisingly lacks a Michi-no-Eki (roadside station). It felt like a missed opportunity that, despite being blessed with such an abundance of fine local specialties, there is no single venue bringing them all together. Since addressing our campus food situation is also a major priority for us, we decided to launch an initiative titled "Michi-no-Eki @ SFC" as part of SFC EXPO 2026, held on campus on Sunday, November 22, and Monday, November 23 (National Holiday). For the event, a select group of local vendors showcasing regional specialties—including food trucks—will set up shop on campus. If our campus, transformed momentarily into a mini Michi-no-Eki, can serve as a bridge connecting the rich flavors of Endo to both local residents and visitors, we would be truly delighted. We warmly invite you to join us at SFC EXPO 2026.
Thirty-six years have passed since SFC was established. Various discussions have begun within the university regarding what SFC should be in the future. The faculty and staff are serious in these discussions, and it is not uncommon for unconventional ideas that I never would have imagined to pop up. As this is a problem-finding and problem-solving campus, I feel that the students' awareness is also extremely high. Since its opening, SFC has cooperated in the development of the campus and the surrounding urban area, centered on the "Health and Culture Forest Concept" promoted by Fujisawa City. Recently, under the concept of a "Campus Town," we have been consulting with Fujisawa City on a vision where nature and the university coexist.
With the completion of student dormitories in 2023, I feel that SFC has entered a new phase. I feel that the time has come to further mature the ultimate "flavor" of SFC alongside the development of this town. With these thoughts in mind every day, my walks through the town continues.