About KUTA

What is Kunigami Tourism Association?

Kunigami Tourism Association (KUTA) is a Non-profit Organization which implements activities aiming at appropriate application of the local resources such as natural, historical, cultural and human resources. For the purpose of succeeding such precious local resources to the next generation, KUTA operates the 5 main activities:

We call these activities achieving the sustainable community development, "The Kunigami Tourism".

History and Past Activities of KUTA

1997

August

Holding the 1st Forest Tour in Kunigami

1998

October

Kunigami Ecotourism Study Committee was established

1999

August

Placed Signboard for Rehabilitation around Okuma River Activity for Preservation of Oak tree in the Mt. Ibu by the Kunigami municipal office and Kunigami Ecotourism Study Committee

2000

October

• Opened Yambaru-Juku (Community study group) and organized workshop for community empowerment for 1 year
• Holding Committee for Tourism Exchange of Kunigami by the Tourism department, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (by Dec. 2000)

December

Opened Yambaru Tourism College by Tourism department, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (by Feb. 2001)

2001

February

Preparatory committee for Kunigami Tourism Association was established

June

1st Study Trip to Brisbane and Hinterland area around Subtropical Rainforest UNESCO heritage site in Australia

July

Conducted a survey on the visitors of Kunigami Forest Park

September

Submitted the Proposal for Effective usage of Kunigami Forest Park to the municipal office

November

Conducted the 1st Workshop for community empowerment (by Mar. 2002)

2002

March

Kunigami Tourism Association was established

May

Conducted the 2nd Workshop for community empowerment (by Oct. 2002)

June

Submitted the proposal based on the result of residents' survey and environmental assessment for effective usage of the site of Aha and Northern Warfare Jungle Training Area to the municipal office

October

2nd Study Trip to Brisbane, Hinterland area around Subtropical Rainforest UNESCO heritage site and Maleny in Australia

2003

January

Joined the Working committee for usage plan of the site of Aha (by Aug. 2003)

February

Conducted a survey on the rubbish dumped illegally in Yambaru forest area (committed by Ministry of environment)

March

Holding 1st Kunigami Scarecrow Festival

May

Conducted the 3rd Workshop for community empowerment (by Oct. 2003)

June

3rd Study Trip to Brisbane, Hinterland area around Subtropical Rainforest UNESCO heritage site and Maleny in Australia

September

Project for making programs using natural resources in Kunigami Eastern area committed by the Kunigami municipal office (by Mar. 2004)

October

Conducted the survey on the construction of trekking route in Aha area committed by Kunigami local government (by Mar. 2004)

November

4th Study Trip to Cairns and Daintree National Park area in Australia

2004

February

Holding 2nd Kunigami Scarecrow Festival

June

5th Study Trip to Fraser Island and Brisbane area in Australia

July

Conducted the 4th Workshop for community empowerment as partnership program with Kunigami municipal office (by Dec. 2004)

September

• Preparation for the registration of non-profit organaization to Okinawa prefecture
• Conducting project of experiential and exchange program in forest (committed by Okinawa prefecture)

October

• Taking a course of Outdoor Activities for the Hentona High School in Kunigami
• Joining the feasibility study for the construction of recreation facility in the Aha Dam affected area as a collaborator

November

Founded a study committee for forest tourism with the Kunigami municipal office, local forestry union, Forestry Department of Okinawa Prefecture

December

Founded a committee for the liaison with all nature guides using the Hiji Waterfall

2005

January

Participating the Okinawa NGO Forum by giving a presentation, conducting a workshop, and filling the role of panelist in the forum

August

Holding a training workshop of Environmental education in forest for school teachers and community workers

October

Conducted a training program for community empowerment in Kunigami Eastern area

November

Holding the 4th Scarecrow Festival

2006

January

• Exhibited the panels of KUTA in the Okinawa NPO Festival as a participant organization
• Conducted a training workshop for KUTA nature guides
• The funded project of Panasonic & EFF started

March

Conducted a training program for community empowerment in Kunigami Eastern area

April

The website of KUTA was renewed

June

• Conducted an environmental education program for the local primary school (Hentona Primary School)
• Holding the third general assembly of KUTA
• Hosted the junior study tour for the World Uchinanchu Conference

August

• Conducted a training program for community empowerment in Kunigami Eastern area
• Conducted a training in forestry for the Okinawa Prefecture (the 1st Term)

October

• Conducted a training in forestry for the Okinawa Prefecture (the 2nd Term)
• Prefecture sponsored forestry seminar (the latter period) coordination and lecturer
• 10/11 First Hentona high school environment course lecture (to February - 16 lectures total)
• 10/12 ALFP(Asia Leadership Fellow Program) accepted 8 participants (lecture requested by International House of Japan)
• 10/14 The twenty-second Yambaru Industrial Fair exhibition (booth presentation)

November

• 11/10 Hokuzan high school lecture "Aiming at the harmony with the natural environment" lecturer
• 11/11 Fifth Kunigami village scarecrow festival event holding (to 11/25)

December

Meio University general research center open lecturer, in charge of lecturer, and guide

2007

January

• 1/13 Forest environment educator introductory training course (to 1/14)
• 1/15 "Dam and sightseeing (forest and lake tourism) study meeting" Lecturer (in Tokyo)
• 1/29 JICA country specific training course (environmental education course) acceptance (lecture requested by GOS)

February

• 2/4 Okinawa NPO month in 2007 (to 3/4) encounter fair booth
• 2/16 The forest environment educator practical training course (to 2/18)
• 2/19 JICA training, "Sustainable Tourism Development Course In Micronesia Region" acceptance (lecturer requested by NPO Okinawa Environment Club)
• 2/25 Guest participation in ESD regional meeting in Tarumi & Ono (in Kagoshima)

March

• 3/4 JICA international student seminar acceptance (entrusted program of JICA Okinawa International Center)
• 3/18 Booth presentation at ESD national conference (in Tokyo)

April

4/1 Management of Kunigami village environmental education center, "Yambaru Forest of Learning" facilities entrusted. (entrusted management from Kunigami village)

May

5/24 JICA trainee of "Eco-tourism planning and management in tropical and sub-tropical region" are accepted (entrusted program of NPO Okinawa Environment Club)

June

• 6/7 Sea kayaking program instruction to Chubu Commercial High School Lifelong Sports Course students.
• 6/21 Host of an overnight learning trip for fifth grader of Hentona Elementary School students.
• 6/29 Fourth NPO Kunigami Tourism Association regular general meeting held.