Ushiku City is launching a new childbirth celebration initiative, the “Parent and Child Beginnings: Celebration Bottle Project,” beginning in fiscal 2025.
The project, carried out in cooperation with nationally designated Important Cultural Property Ushiku Chateau, is also likely to attract the attention of Japanese wine fans.
Here are the details.
About the “Parent and Child Beginnings: Celebration Bottle Project”
The “Parent and Child Beginnings: Celebration Bottle Project” is a new childbirth celebration initiative being launched by Ushiku City in fiscal 2025.
In collaboration with the nationally designated Important Cultural Property Ushiku Chateau, the city will present families with a commemorative bottle of wine or grape juice, warmly celebrating a parent and child’s new beginning together with the region’s culture.
In October 2025, Ushiku City announced the local branding message “Parent-Child Special Zone!! Ushiku,” aimed at encouraging families with children to move to and settle in the city.
Having developed as a commuter town since the 1970s and welcomed many families raising children, Ushiku has focused on childcare and community support and has continued family-friendly events such as the Ushiku Koi Festival and Fureai Camp.
The “Parent and Child Beginnings: Celebration Bottle Project” is another initiative within that broader effort.
In Collaboration with Ushiku Chateau, Including a Commemorative Bottle Unveiling
As noted above, the “Parent and Child Beginnings: Celebration Bottle Project” is being conducted in partnership with Ushiku Chateau.
Specifically, families of children born in Ushiku City during the year will receive either wine made at Ushiku Chateau or grape juice made from wine grapes, presented with a special label and dedicated outer box.
The bottle is intended as a keepsake for parent and child and a special gift celebrating the child’s birth.
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, Ushiku Chateau also hosted a “Commemorative Bottle Unveiling Ceremony” to mark the launch of the project.
Four local families whose children were born in 2025 were invited, and Mayor Kazutoshi Numata personally presented them with commemorative bottles bearing the special label.
The ceremony was reportedly filled with a warm atmosphere, with commemorative photos and tastings of wine and grape juice held inside the historic chateau building.
Applications Open Monday, December 1
Commenting on the project, Ushiku Mayor Kazutoshi Numata said, “Ushiku Chateau symbolizes the history and culture of Ushiku City. Through this place, we want to deliver a ‘gift for parent and child’ that celebrates the children who have been born and their families. We hope families will look at the bottle together, talk about the joy of the child’s birth, remember the baby years, and deepen the love between parent and child.”
Eligible participants are children born in Ushiku City between Wednesday, January 1 and Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and their guardians. Applications open Monday, December 1, 2025.
Applications can be submitted through Ushiku City’s official website.
Ushiku is working toward becoming a city people associate with parents and children.
If you are eligible, why not apply for the “Parent and Child Beginnings: Celebration Bottle Project”?
Reference
Applications for the FY2025 “Parent and Child Beginnings: Celebration Bottle Project”
Eligibility: Children born in Ushiku City between Wednesday, January 1 and Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and their guardians
Gift: Wine made at Ushiku Chateau or grape juice
(with special label and dedicated outer box)
Applications open: Monday, December 1, 2025
Shipping: Scheduled to begin sequentially from February 2026
Application URL:
https://apply.e-tumo.jp/city-ushiku-ibaraki-u/offer/offerList_detail?tempSeq=81549
*The application form will be available from December 1.