Ecotour Site - Yaginada, Small-scale Seto Inland Sea
Yaginada is located in the western part of the Seto Inland Sea and known for its abundant nautical traffic volume. As red-throated loons (Gavia stellata), considered as the symbolic bird of Hiroshima Prefecture, winters in the Yaginada area, a traditional fishing method using red-throated loons has been conducted for more than 300 years. However, due to environmental changes, drastic aging and birthrate drop, fishing continues to decline especially around Itsuki Island (Itsukishima). In Ohcho district, lemons and tangerines are produced and we provide tangerine harvesting as part of ecotour activities. In Mitarai and Takehara districts where there are traditional buildings, you can enjoy the history of the area through walking around the old town. We also provide a sea kayaking activity - so please get familiar with the Seto Inland Sea nature! At Mount Nanakunimiyama, you can have breathtaking views from a trekking road. (The left picture was taken from Mt. Nanakunimiyama.)
（Details of the activities, shipping routes, and ports will be decided when a new ecotour plan is provided.）
Activities
Observation of seaside plants
Eco School
Nature interpreter experience
Trekking
Enjoying local food
Fishing experience
Walking around the old town
Tangerine harvesting
Visiting an abandoned village
Finding intertidal organisms
Sea kayaking
Please join us!
Mount Nanakunimiyama
Mount Nanakunimiyama (457 m) is located in Kamikamakarijima. It is considered that the mountain is named after the location where people can see seven islands from Mount Nanakunimiyama (Nana=seven, kuni=islands, mi=have a vew, yama=mountain). You can have splendid views from the trekking road. It's breathtaking.
Ohcho District
Ohcho district of Osaki-shimojima used to flourish due to the production of the local brand 'Ohcho tangerines'. There are some houses that rich tangerine farmers built at the time when Ohcho tangerines were traded at high prices. Unique and traditional designs of decorations remind us of the history of the district. Also, we can know how the blessings of nature are brought to us through tangerine harvesting experiences.
Kamagari (Koigahama Beach)
At Koigahama beach of Kamagari, the environment for enjoying marine sports is excellent. While experiencing sea kayaking, you can feel sea breeze and water flow in the open sea. Observation of intertidal organisms and seaside plants is also an interesting activity to enjoy nature.
Itsuki Island (Itsukishima)
Itsuki Island (Itsukishima) used to flourish because of the traditional fishing method using red-throated loons (Abi-ryo). However, the number of red-throated loons drastically decreased due to environmental changes. Along with the decline of the fishery, aging and a birthrate drop became serious. Now it is said that the population of this island is about 10. Ecosystems as satoyama and satoumi are out of balance, and wild boars became dominant on the island. Villagers take measures against wild boars to protect their fields.
Mitarai District
Mitarai district developed from the Edo period to the Showa period as an anchorage port of the Seto Inland Sea. In Mitarai district, historical buildings are well preserved and this led to the area being designated as a cultural property in 1994. You can experience a time travel walking around the area where there are houses built during the various periods.
Eco School (Eco-juku)
Seto Eco offers 'Eco School (Eco-juku)' as part of the ecotours to Akinada Site.
Several lectures such as 'the outline of ecotourism', 'ecotours of plants', 'skills for ecotours', "case studies about the Destination Management Organization (DMO)', 'how to become a nature interpreter' are given along with the nature, culture and history of the Seto Inland Sea.
A new ecotourism course for interpreter-guides is planned to be given as well.
