Sustainable Eastern Hokkaido
Your journey to stay close to nature and the earth starts from here…
INTRODUCTION
Points of “Sustainable Tourism” in Eastern Hokkaido
We hear the word “SDGs” everyday in our life. SDGs, adopted by the United Nations Summit in September 2015, represent the goals that every human being has to achieve for the 15 years from 2016 to 2030. Under these goalds, sustainable tourism has been attracting attention as a realistic way to contribute to them. It means establishment of a travel style that brings happiness to everyone who travels, the nature and people in the destination, and the tourism industry.
Although the values of various things have been reviewed due to the COVID-19 crisis, the overcrowded tourist destinations (overtourism) and the impact of travel on nature, society, and the economy had already been problems before COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, and as you can see from the name “The Road to Natural Beauty for Eastern Hokkaido“, Eastern Hokkaido is blessed with the most beautiful nature in Japan and is full of sustainable resources. In addition to the information introduced on our web site, here we are going to introduce a small part of the programs and activities that lead to sustainable tourism from a new perspective.
Living in Eastern Hokkaido and takeing this environment for granted, there may be a lot more sustainable things that we are not aware of. We would like you to let us know if you notice such a thing. We will continue to take on challenges so that your journey can be more comfortable. Now, let us introduce our challenge.
Although the values of various things have been reviewed due to the COVID-19 crisis, the overcrowded tourist destinations (overtourism) and the impact of travel on nature, society, and the economy had already been problems before COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, and as you can see from the name “The Road to Natural Beauty for Eastern Hokkaido“, Eastern Hokkaido is blessed with the most beautiful nature in Japan and is full of sustainable resources. In addition to the information introduced on our web site, here we are going to introduce a small part of the programs and activities that lead to sustainable tourism from a new perspective.
Living in Eastern Hokkaido and takeing this environment for granted, there may be a lot more sustainable things that we are not aware of. We would like you to let us know if you notice such a thing. We will continue to take on challenges so that your journey can be more comfortable. Now, let us introduce our challenge.
Features
Efforts for sustanability in Eastern Hokkaido
“Bear Act” to preserve brown bears in Shiretoko
“Bear Act” to preserve brown bears in Shiretoko
The following article contents were written in the summer of 2020.
In order to solve the brown bear issue in Shiretoko, the Shiretoko Foundation has teamed up with Utoro’s popular hotel “Kitakobushi Resort”! They have been trying to eliminate the hiding places to keep brown bears away from the city by mowing the grass in the city as a part of the Bear Act. This effort should lead to both the safety of people and the protection of the lives of brown bears.
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The following article contents were written in the summer of 2020.
A hot spring river trail to fully enjoy four seasons.
The following article contents were written in the summer of 2020.
Kawayu Onsen is located between Lake Mashu, one of the most transparent lakes in the world, and Lake Kussharo, the largest crater lake in Japan. It is a highly medicinal and abundant amount of sulfur spring with Mt. Iou as the source. New efforts have been taken with the advantages of the high bactericidal effect of the hot spring water.
The following article contents were written in the summer of 2020.
A hot spring river trail to fully enjoy four seasons.
A year-round maintenance. The story of Sakura Guardians at Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park.
A year-round maintenance. The story of Sakura Guardians at Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park.
The following article contents were written in the summer of 2020.
Shibazakura, moss phlox, begins to bloom little by little from late April and is in full bloom around mid-May. Since Shibazakura blooms for only a month, the park management staff including the Shibazakura Ladies perform maintenance through out the year such as weeding, pest control measures, and replanting the damaged Shibazakura.
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The following article contents were written in the summer of 2020.
OTHERS
Shiretoko Trash Pick-up Project
Sustainable Point
Although it is designated as a World Heritage Site, a lot of trash is scattered on the streets and coasts in Shiretoko. In order to protect the lives of wild animals including brown bears and to preserve the natural environment of Shiretoko, trash pick-up is regularly conducted by volunteers. This project consists of a wide range of age groups. In addition to picking up trash, the project also holds seminars on marine debris at elementary schools as a city of drift ice.
Travelers are of course welcome to join in this project.
Tokachi Sennen-no Mori (Tokachi Millennium Forest)
Sustainable Point
The basic idea of sustainable tourism is travel that can contribute to the society and nature for a long time. The Tokachi Sennen-no Mori Development Conception was launched in 1990, about 30 years ago. It was founded by a local newspaper publisher, Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper, with the idea of “returning resources to the earth by planting trees (carbon offset)” since publishing newspaper consumes a large amount of paper.
They acquired about 400 ha (988 ac) of land in Haobi district Shimizu Town at the foot of the Hidaka Mountains where beautiful mountains line up, and they started developing the land in 2013 with an aim to continue to create forests for the future in 1,000 years later.
A British desinger, Dan Pearson, was appointed as the main desiner. Starting from the environmental contribution activity “Carbon Offset”, this forest has been creating opportunities for people to come into contact with nature through various means such as forests, gardens, agriculture, art, and food.
Guided Ainu Culture Tour
Sustainable Point
Nature-related things are not the only theme of sustainable tourism. It also has to do with the local culture. Travelers are asked to have a deep understanding and respect for the culture of their destination. In addition, it is the tourism industry’s respoinsibility to offer programs that allow people to experience the culture correctly.
The guided Ainu culture tour “Anytime, Ainutime” consists of three elements of “forest,” “lake,” and “manufacturing” for the purpose to pass down the Ainu culture. You can experience the Ainu culture while enjoying the blessed nature of Akan Mashu National Park and the crafts skills that have been handed down from ancient times. The real Ainu culture can be experienced only by learning the Ainu’s way of thinking about nature.
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Eastern Hokkaido Official web site
Eastern Hokkaido Official web site