JAZMAN BARIZI
Published on August 14, 2025
Five days. Over sixty coworkers. One gasshuku in Akita.
From product planning to post-work bowling matches, here’s how it all went down.
Hello! I’m Jazz, part of the Engineering Talent Acquisition Team here at HENNGE. Back in April 2025, my supervisor dropped a question that would change the month ahead: “Would you like to go on a gasshuku with the engineering team in Akita?”
My immediate thoughts: “What?! I get to escape my usual desk for spontaneous workdays in a new prefecture I haven’t visited, AND interact with engineers I usually only chat with in the office?!” How could I possibly say no?! *tears of happiness*
I jumped at the chance, and for a few good reasons:
- To capture my gasshuku experience in this article (hi 👋)
- To deepen my bonds with the engineers and teams behind HENNGE One
Meet Akita Inu dogs in their natural habitat (obviously).
What followed was an epic four-night, five-day gasshuku with over 60 members. One of HENNGE Way’s core values is “Win Together,” and I was excited to participate in this “winning together” journey. From May 26 to 30, I joined the Cloud Product Development Division (CPRD) gasshuku in Akita prefecture, Japan.
And Off to Akita We Go
My Akita adventure kicked off on Sunday, May 25, when I headed off with a few other gasshuku participants. We hopped on the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, embarking on a four-hour journey north to Akita Prefecture, located next to Aomori and Iwate Prefectures. And off we went!
What is Gasshuku?
Once a year, our Cloud Product Development Division steps away from the daily office grind and heads to a new location. It’s not a vacation, but something we call “Gasshuku.” In Japan, “Gasshuku” typically means a training camp. But at HENNGE, it’s a unique blend of hackathon, product deep-dive, and team bonding, with all expenses covered by the company. It’s a voluntary activity, though participation is strongly encouraged.
A distinctly Japanese tradition, gasshuku seamlessly blends focused teamwork with just the right dose of fun. From intense strategy sessions to competitive bowling matches, it’s where we build stronger bonds and bigger ideas, together. This year marked our third gasshuku since we started it in 2022, and our destination was the northeastern prefecture of Akita.
Gasshuku wasn’t just for software engineers. It also welcomed participation from team members in the Product Planning & Research Division, the Design Management Section of the Corporate Communication Division, and even the Accounting & Tax Section of the Finance & Accounting Division. All these teams play a crucial role in shaping HENNGE’s flagship product, HENNGE One.
HENNGE prides itself on its flat organizational structure that minimizes hierarchical layers. But as the company grows, maintaining seamless communication between teams becomes more challenging. This gasshuku was specifically designed to address that. The more we communicate and collaborate, the smoother our project progress will be, ultimately helping us “Win Together.”
Working in Akita
Akita is such a quaint, charming town—a stark contrast to the bustling, fast-paced life in Tokyo. It was a beautiful place that offered a truly refreshing change of scenery from my usual city routine. Before the gasshuku started, I got to explore the town a little bit!
The primary goal of this trip was to encourage deeper communication and discussions among teams on various projects and topics, particularly those related to HENNGE One product development. Our workspace during the gasshuku was a large hall in an Akita City building, where everyone could choose their favorite spot to work from. I witnessed how they collaborated and worked together… even as a non-engineer, I could tell that this team runs like a well-oiled machine.
Throughout the gasshuku, we participated in numerous workshops, hackathons, sprints, casual chats, and meetings. It was essentially our typical work environment, but relocated to the calm and peaceful backdrop of Akita City. I even managed to join my core work’s online meetings with colleagues in Tokyo without any issues.
Activities Beyond Work
What truly makes gasshuku special are the activities outside of work, providing invaluable opportunities for casual chats and bonding beyond office topics.
We had team lunches with members I hadn’t had much chance to speak with before. And with so many of us gathered in one place, we seized the opportunity for a big gathering!Ready to elevate your cybersecurity game in an interconnected landscape and protect your organization against the growing wave of digital threats?
Before and after work, we all found different ways to spend our free time. Some opted for morning runs, walks, or gym sessions before diving into work. Others enjoyed izakaya hopping (an izakaya is a Japanese pub or casual eatery perfect for socializing over drinks and small plates), visited a local jazz bar, had spontaneous karaoke sessions, or simply relaxed in the evenings.
One memorable night, we all headed to a game center for a massive bowling showdown! We even had a friendly match to decide HENNGE’s bowling champion. Hans, with his impressive score, claimed first place among all 35 participants, crowning him the champion of HENNGE’s Bowling Showdown at this gasshuku. As for my score… let’s just say the game was a humbling experience. :”)
On another evening, we had a board game night organized by one of our bukatsu (after-office hour activities or office clubs). We had an absolute blast playing a variety of board games in different groups.
And I must mention the food! I had no idea Akita cuisine was so tasty. I even got to try kiritanpo, one of Akita’s local specialties. This comforting dish, made from pounded Akita rice shaped into cylinders and grilled over charcoal, is typically served in hot soup or a hot pot. We savored every single bite! Honestly, I don’t think any food in Akita was a letdown; 10/10, I would eat Akita delicacies again.
Afterthought
This gasshuku was the perfect blend of productivity and a refreshing escape from the city buzz. We had an incredible time connecting, collaborating, and exploring Akita together. I even got to know coworkers I hadn’t truly interacted with before! Many projects progressed, connections deepened, and everyone returned home with a renewed focus on making HENNGE One an even better product, bringing us closer to our ultimate goal: the liberation of technology.
I can’t wait to see everyone back at the office! Thank you for reading—Jazz signing off!
And oh, here’s a picture of Genta, the adorable Akita Inu. Isn’t he the cutest?! 😭
Interested in joining our next Gasshuku? Crack our coding challenge and apply here!