By Khalida Sarwari
The Hakone Foundation has hired a new executive director to replace Lon Saavedra, who stepped down from the organization’s top job nearly four months ago.
Shozo Kagoshima took the reins on March 30, becoming the foundation’s second full-time executive director.
“It’s exciting,” said Kagoshima, 57. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. I’ve been stepping in and picking up the pieces and just trying to move forward.”
As executive director, Kagoshima will be in charge of day-to-day operations at Hakone Gardens. He plans to increase Hakone’s visibility and attract more tourists.
“Everybody I’ve spoken to, they’ve said, ‘Oh it’s a beautiful place; it’s a hidden jewel,’ ” he said. “I want to make sure that Hakone becomes wider known to people, not just in Saratoga or Santa Clara Valley–that it can become a destination for tourists as well.”
Kagoshima wants to also generate more business for Hakone, which he said will mean marketing the space as more than a wedding venue. As part of that, he said he’d look into opportunities to generate interest for corporate events and ramp up promotion for experiences such as the kimono demonstrations or tea ceremonies hosted at Hakone.
Finally, Kagoshima said he’s thinking about ways to improve the visitor experience, starting with posting guide maps around the gardens, so that guests “experience the most they can while they’re here.”
Kagoshima’s predecessor left in December to begin his own consulting practice after 16 years as the founding CEO and executive director of the Hakone Foundation. Saavedra’s resignation and Kagoshima’s hiring coincides with plans to construct a retreat center, tearoom and gift store adjacent to the gardens. A master planning process began earlier this year, with the city overseeing the project.
Twelve people applied for the executive director job and four were interviewed, according to Ann Waltonsmith, chairwoman of the Hakone Foundation board. Waltonsmith said the board’s decision to hire Kagoshima was based on his extensive management experience as well as his understanding and familiarity with the Japanese culture. He is a second generation Japanese-American and speaks the language.
“He has a great sense of humor, too,” said Waltonsmith.
No stranger to the tourism industry, Kagoshima previously served as the general manager of the Winchester Mystery House, where he spent 35 years, working his way up from a part-time cashier at the popular tourist attraction in high school. He has also served as a board member of San Jose Taiko and the West Valley Japanese American Citizens League.
Kagoshima graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical operations from San Jose State University. He was born in San Jose, raised in Saratoga and currently resides in Campbell.