を皮切りに（して）Starting with the first in a series
を皮切りに（して） marks one event as the first member of a series of similar events that then continue or spread.
The series is essential
The phrase does not merely mean “beginning with.” It presents the marked event as number one in a continuing sequence. The rest of the sentence therefore needs to name later members or clearly indicate repeated activity, gradual expansion, or a succession of related events.
Typical sequences
Tours and planned rollouts are especially natural because the first and later events are clearly of the same general kind.
全国ツアーは福岡公演を皮切りに、広島、大阪、名古屋、東京へと続く。
The nationwide tour will begin with the Fukuoka performance and continue on to Hiroshima, Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo.
Analyze同社は来月、東京で新店舗を開くのを皮切りに、横浜と千葉にも順次出店する。
Starting with the opening of a new store in Tokyo next month, the company will then open stores in Yokohama and Chiba.
Analyze市は駅前広場の改修を皮切りにして、公園、図書館、体育館を順次整備する方針だ。
The city plans to begin by renovating the station plaza and then progressively improve the park, library, and gymnasium.
AnalyzeFirst event, trigger, or representative example?
を皮切りに identifies the chronological first member of a continuing series. をきっかけに instead marks an event as the trigger for a change and does not require later events of the same kind. をはじめ（として） selects a leading or representative member of a set; that member need not be chronologically first.
留学をきっかけに、環境問題に関心を持つようになった。
Studying abroad prompted me to become interested in environmental issues.
AnalyzeThis describes one experience triggering a change in interest, not the first of several similar events.
More examples
映画祭は京都での上映を皮切りに、神戸、奈良、和歌山を巡回する。
The film festival will begin with screenings in Kyoto and then travel to Kobe, Nara, and Wakayama.
Analyze新サービスは関東での提供開始を皮切りに、東海、関西、九州へ順次拡大される。
The new service will launch first in the Kanto region and then progressively expand to Tokai, Kansai, and Kyushu.
Analyze政府は来週、基本方針を公表するのを皮切りに、地域別の計画案と予算の概要を順次発表する。
Beginning with the publication of its basic policy next week, the government will successively announce regional draft plans and a budget outline.
Analyze早朝の一件を皮切りに、同じ手口の被害が市内各地で相次いだ。
Beginning with an incident early that morning, cases involving the same method occurred one after another across the city.
Analyze札幌公演を皮切りにして、仙台、東京、大阪で計十公演が行われる。
Starting with the Sapporo performance, a total of ten performances will be held in Sendai, Tokyo, and Osaka.
Analyze四月の一号店開業を皮切りに、五月には二号店、六月には三号店がオープンした。
The first store opened in April, followed by a second in May and a third in June.
Analyze