Project to create a flower road made of flowers and plants

On the roadsides that lead to Ocean Expo Park and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu-cho, Okinawa, we have placed 3 (5 total) three-dimensional flowerbeds decorated with many flowers and plants from 2005, and through this, promote the revitalization of the local communities by “creating a town of flowers” that is being promoted by Motobu-cho.
In the Shuri-area of Naha City in Okinawa, municipalities and community centers collaborate with stores along the roadside, replanting the plants and flowers in the planters and placing them along Ryutan Street three to four times a year, and thereby promoting greening of the local community.

Information dissemination in collaboration with the local communities

Leveraging our facility’s power of drawing customers, we have created a center within it to disseminate local activities within Okinawa Prefecture. This is an effort to create further engagement between the local communities and customers, including dissemination of information on tourism, etc.
At Ocean Expo Park, since 2013 we have hosted the “Yambaru Gourmet Contest,” which spreads Yanbaru (northern area of Okinawa’s main island) food culture and have been promoting “local production for local consumption” through introduction of local specialty products and tourism PR.
In 2015, Izena Village, the birthplace of King Shoen, and Shurijo Castle Park collaborated and held the “The Secret Treasures of Izena Island –Celebrating 600 Years King Shoen’s Birth” and “Izena Island Fair” where we sold local specialty products of Izena Island.
We also collaborated in writing the manuscript for the catalog, which we distribute to public facilities.

Efforts toward a healthy and affluent society

We are also involved in efforts to eliminate the habitual lack of exercise and build healthy habits through exercising while enjoying nature such as flowers and wild birds. In addition to appearing in “walking class” programs and speaking at lectures related to health sponsored by local municipalities for local residents, we hosted the “Nordic Fitness Forum 2014 Okinawa” at the Ocean Expo Park with Nago City, Okinawa under the theme of “health and tourism.”
At the Nago Youth Center, we conduct events related to promoting health such as Mt. Nago-dake hiking and sports.

Disseminating information on the fruit tree and flower plant industries in Okinawa Prefecture

Because Okinawa is the only subtropical region in the country, it has a robust fruit tree and plant industry.
In facilities related to plants, we collaborate with professional and amateur fruit tree growers and flower gardeners to disseminate information on diverse cut flowers and cut leaves, varieties of foliage plants, fruits, and flowers with high ornamental value, and their production status.
Within Ocean Expo Park, we have held approximately 10 exhibits per year of orchids, bougainvillea, hibiscus, and tropical fruit trees until 2015. In 2014, we recorded approximately 140,000 visitors.

Collaborating with the local communities: Raising awareness about the environment

We are told that Shuri, the ancient capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, was full of beautiful butterflies. We are cooperating with the “Association for Releasing Butterflies in the Shurijo Castle Area,” which is working to revive this scenery by supporting knowledge dissemination and awareness-raising activities about butterflies around Shurijo Castle and in Naha City as well as environmental conservation of the area.
In 2014, as a result of the Association’s longstanding knowledge dissemination and awareness-raising activities, “Idea leuconoe (tree nymph butterfly),” one of the butterfly species that we have been trying to spread, was chosen as “Naha City’s Butterfly.”
In 2015, we received the 8th Okinawa Times Community Contribution Award.

Collaborating with the local communities: Raising awareness about culture

“Friends of Shurijo Castle Park” is a community-based organization founded in 1992 in collaboration with the opening of Shurijo Castle Park.
The organization aims to enhance the quality of the Park and lovingly protect and nurture it through various activities, and aims at promoting friendship among the members.
The organization promotes activities that create more interest toward Ryukyuan culture by hosting public lectures and tours of historic sites related to Shurijo Castle and the history and culture of Okinawa.
Looking ahead to future renovations of Shurijo Castle, the organization plants and grows the yew plum pine, the castle’s building material, in Benoki, Kunigami-son, Okinawa collectively few times a year.

Collaborating with the local communities: Maintenance and promotion of bonito fishery

Collaborate with the local community, progress of the local society, vitalization of exchanges

We are conducting promotion and exchange events in collaboration with the Tourism Association in Motobu-cho, where Okinawa Churashima Foundation is located, and with nearby hotels.
Since 2015, we have been hosting “Sunset Viewing,” an event that utilizes the tourist resources of Motobu-cho, which is well known for its sunsets.