【Okinawa, Nanjo City】Protecting Sacred Sites, the Sea, and Forests｜Chinen Community Development Participation Experience

• This is an experiential program where you can participate in community development while experiencing the connection between the sea, forests, and villages in the Chinen region, home to the World Heritage site Sefa-utaki. Through beach cleaning and forest maintenance activities, you will encounter the local challenges and daily lives that lie behind the beautiful scenery. Another highlight is the interaction with local people who, despite the challenges of an aging and shrinking population, work together with nature to build a future. It is a time not just for sightseeing, but for caring for the region with your own hands and fostering connections with the community. Encounters with fellow participants who want to build the future of the region together are also waiting for you.
• Beach Cleaning Experience
• This is a program for rediscovering the region and fostering interaction, aimed at those who live in Chinen or have a connection to Okinawa. While walking through the sea and forests around Sefa-utaki, you will participate in beach cleaning and forest maintenance activities. As you encounter the nature, culture, and history of prayer that you might usually overlook, you will also learn about the challenges the region faces, such as aging and environmental conservation. Beyond just enjoying nature, you will develop a sense of attachment and pride by caring for the region with your own hands. After the activities, there will be time for dialogue, serving as a catalyst for new connections with the community and making new friends. It is an experience that will help you see Chinen not just as a 'place to live,' but as a 'place to nurture together.'
• Forest Maintenance Activities & Learning About the Culture of Prayer
• This is a program for rediscovering the region and fostering interaction, aimed at those who live in Chinen or have a connection to Okinawa. While walking through the sea and forests around Sefa-utaki, you will participate in beach cleaning and forest maintenance activities. As you encounter the nature, culture, and history of prayer that you might usually overlook, you will also learn about the challenges the region faces, such as aging and environmental conservation. Beyond just enjoying nature, you will develop a sense of attachment and pride by caring for the region with your own hands. After the activities, there will be time for dialogue, serving as a catalyst for new connections with the community and making new friends. It is an experience that will help you see Chinen not just as a 'place to live,' but as a 'place to nurture together.'
• Interaction with Local Residents, Community Development Experience, Building a Second Hometown
• This is a program for rediscovering the region and fostering interaction, aimed at those who live in Chinen or have a connection to Okinawa. While walking through the sea and forests around Sefa-utaki, you will participate in beach cleaning and forest maintenance activities. As you encounter the nature, culture, and history of prayer that you might usually overlook, you will also learn about the challenges the region faces, such as aging and environmental conservation. Beyond just enjoying nature, you will develop a sense of attachment and pride by caring for the region with your own hands. After the activities, there will be time for dialogue, serving as a catalyst for new connections with the community and making new friends. It is an experience that will help you see Chinen not just as a 'place to live,' but as a 'place to nurture together.'

Meeting Time:

• 13:00

Meeting Point:

• Sea and Forest Retreat, Okinawa Mirai Juku, neco Tourism

Address:

• 405-1 Chinen Kudeken, Nanjo City

By Car:

• Approximately 30 minutes from Haebaru-Minami IC via Prefectural Road 86. The parking lot at the top of the hill is convenient.

By Public Transport:

• Get off at Asahibashi Monorail Station, take the Toyo Bus No. 38 Shikiya Line to 'Sefa-utaki Iriguchi' bus stop, then walk for 10 minutes. Pick-up service from the bus stop is available.