JR Kyushu Hakata Station x Aso College Group NFT Art Collaboration Award Ceremony Held at Hakata Station. Merchandise Works Selected!
Aso Juku Educational Corporation Press release: September 10, 2025 To Members of the Press JR Kyushu Hakata Station x Aso College Group NFT Art Collaboration Award Ceremony held at Hakata Station. Merchandise works have been selected! Fukuoka/General Vocational School/Asao Vocational School Group JR Kyushu Hakata Station and Aso College Group held an awards ceremony for the “NFT Art Collaboration,” which was conducted as part of an industry-academia collaboration class, at Hakata Station on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-0428a69dfff13dbc40890ae1a20bb291-3900×2600.jpg
industry-academia collaboration with JR Kyushu were showcased, and the students’ efforts demonstrated new possibilities for connecting the railway industry and digital art.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-a57484671866e13abde95469dd8e13d7-3900×2600.jpg Mr. Kato, Stationmaster of JR Kyushu Hakata Station
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-b64d85cbb000a3a3d1041820dc566321-3900×2600.jpg Mr. Kato, the stationmaster of JR Kyushu Hakata Station, commented, “I looked at each and every piece of work created by the students. At first, I was thinking of selecting about four works, but I couldn’t choose enough, so in the end, I decided to award 20 works.” He praised the students’ hard work and dedication to their creations. [Winner’s Comments] Best Stationmaster Award (1 person) ASO Pop Culture College, Comic Illustration Department, Illustration Course, 1st Year, Akemi Baba
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-b379dcdfd739b77846e8fcb23a0fc6ff-3900×2600.jpg Before participating in the “NFT Art Collaboration,” I hadn’t really drawn trains, so I was glad to be able to make the most of the two-month period and create something. I selected trains that run in each prefecture and made them cute so that anyone could relate to them. I struggled with the “Shinkansen Sakura” because its face is different from the other trains. But I’m happy that this work won the award. Gold Prize (1 person) Honoka Kurono, 1st year student, Visual Design major, Department of Creative Design, Aso Architecture & Design College
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-ef67222d07cce2c21bbd236a58777832-3900×2600.jpg I created two works at first, and the winning piece was completed in a short period of time, so I was very surprised to be selected. When JR sent me many photos of trains, I chose the “Limited Express
Futatsuboshi” because it had a distinctive star on it. As the train runs along the coast, I used a sea-blue wave pattern for the background. It was difficult to create each and every detailed pattern, but I managed to create a piece that blends with traditional Japanese culture so that people from overseas can enjoy it as well. Silver Award (1 person) ASO Pop Culture College, Comic Illustration Department, Illustration Course, 1st year, Miyagi Akira
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-8c0d82579af2f8fdbf29fed875af4c88-3900×2600.jpg I hadn’t drawn many trains before, so I was nervous. The texture and color usage were particularly difficult when drawing inorganic objects, but with the help of my teacher’s advice, I was able to finish the piece. I was particular about combining the back of the large clock, a distinctive feature of Hakata Station, with the train. I wanted to have a variety of experiences, so I took on the challenge this time and am happy to have won the award. A total of 20 works will be commercialized: the Best Stationmaster Award (1 person), Gold Award (1 person), Silver Award (1 person), Bronze Award (3 people), and Special Award (14 people).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-eac33777e73294095ee4426ab546e557-3900×2600.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/55901/133/55901-133-f6c2d59ca3029d6d3125e54f160955ee-1875×625.jpg Through this project, the students honed their ability to create artwork that aligned with a theme within a limited time frame. Each of the 42 students utilized their individuality to explore diverse forms of expression, and in the process, they not only improved their creative skills but also cultivated an attitude of engaging with society. In interviews, some students commented that this was a topic they had never tackled before. The students gained valuable experience not only in expressing what they liked, but also in thinking about how to communicate this to an audience and what kind of expression society needs. In addition, the combination of the long-established JR Kyushu and the young sensibilities of vocational school students has resulted in the creation of numerous works that contribute to society in the new field of NFTs. The Aso College Group engages in numerous industry-academia collaborations, leveraging its network of companies, local communities, and government agencies. A major strength of the college is that students can collaborate with major companies while still enrolled and share their creative expression with society. After the award ceremony, some students expressed their desire to try again, demonstrating the opportunity for students to inspire each other and grow further. The creativity and sense of connection to society cultivated through this experience will directly translate into future learning and success in society. The Aso College Group will continue to provide practical learning opportunities in collaboration with society, helping each student gain a sense of accomplishment through learning and practical experience, and cultivating individuals who can confidently build their future careers.
About Aso Juku Educational Corporation/Aso College Group
(https://asojuku.ac.jp/ ) Established in 1939, Asojuku is one of the largest vocational school groups in western Japan, operating 12 vocational schools and a high school division in Fukuoka Prefecture. With over 72,000 graduates, Asojuku attracts many students not only from Fukuoka Prefecture but also from throughout Kyushu, Yamaguchi, and Okinawa. We provide practical education in a wide range of fields, including IT, games, design, architecture, medical welfare, tourism and hospitality, and automotive. We emphasize education tailored to each student’s abilities and goals, supporting them as they develop practical skills and grow toward their dreams and goals.