ニュースカテゴリー: 掲載情報の一覧

[Press Release]A first in Western Japan! Kagoshima Prefecture’s Amagi Town has been recognized as the “Best Tourism Village 2024″ by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) for its ‘sustainable urban development”!

The town of Amagi in Kagoshima Prefecture , which was produced by architect Yasuhiro Yamashita (representative of Denpaku), has beenrecognizedfor its efforts in creating a sustainable tourism region atthe “Best Tourism Village 2024” awardsorganized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).

Yamashita has unearthed and re-edited the charms and characteristics of Amagi Town that had been buried in everyday life, and under the theme of“tourism in everyday life” created together with village culture and local residents, he has offered suggestions and support for implementing sustainable town development that will pass on traditional culture and the natural environment to the next generation.

We hope that this certification will be an opportunity for more people to learn about the rich culture and natural charms of Amagi Town. In addition, to celebrate the certification,Denpaku has prepared a special plan for you to experience Amagi Town.

What is the Best Tourism Village?


The Best TourismVillage isa project launched bythe United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in 2021 torecognize excellent regions that are working to create sustainable tourism destinations.

Villages and regions that are certified are required to protect the unique local culture and natural environment while aiming to develop the local economy through interaction between visitors and residents and job creation.

Official UN Tourism website:https://tourism-villages.unwto.org/en/villages/

Official website of the Japan Tourism Agency:https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news07_00006.html

 

● Certified regions worldwide: 130 regions(until 2023)

●Certified regions in Japan:6 regions(until 2023)

The tourist resource of “Amagi Town’s daily life” that we want to pass on to the next generation


Amagi Town is located in the northwest of Tokunoshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, and is a key transportation hub with Tokunoshima Airport and Hirado Port. It is an area with a thriving agricultural industry, including sugar cane, livestock, potatoes, fruit trees, and flowers.The town’s philosophy, “Amagi, a town that weaves life with a spirit of Yui,” represents the spirit of “Yui,” which is to share joys and difficulties and support each other through collaborative work, and is still deeply rooted in the community.

In order to preserve the spirit of Yui and the culture of Amagi Town,the local government, local residents, and private companieshave worked together to carry out various initiatives. This sustainablecommunity developmentled to the town being recognized as the Best Tourism Village. Below,we will introducesome of the “everyday tourism” initiatives being promoted by Amagi Town .

“Agriculture” that implements recycling-oriented initiatives

Amagi Town is a major production area forsugarcane(the raw material for brown sugar),boasting one of the largest harvest areas in Kagoshima Prefecture.

The project promotes circular agriculture, whichcirculates resources between agriculture and livestock farming, for example by feeding sugarcane leaves to cows and using the cow dung as fertilizer. It also provides support for people to continue farming, thereby contributing to the establishment of a sustainable production system.

“A culture of coexistence between humans and cows”

Bullfighting cultureon Tokunoshimahas continued for over 400 years andis deeply rooted in traditional events and daily life as part of the island’s identity.

Bullfighting tournaments are held on the island about 20 times a year, and at the Matsubara Bullring in Amagi Town, you can watch training andeven get to interact with the bulls by brushing and feeding them. Children strolling with the bulls on the beach and through the town are a part of the everyday scenery of Amagi Town.
Besides bullfighting, the livestock industry is also thriving andhas been designatedas a local specialty .

“The sea of coral reefs, rich in biodiversity”

The diverse coral reefs that develop in the waters of the Amami Islands can be observed even in the sea off Amagi Town.The scenic spot “Inu no Monfuta”is one of the strangely shaped rocks that were created by the erosion of uplifted coral over many years.

There are also several important prehistoric ruins of the Ryukyu Islands, including the underwater limestone cave “Umbuki,” where pottery from over 7,000 years ago was excavated .Whale watchingis also possible in the winter, so you can enjoy sea tourism all year round.

“The Amami rabbit, a living fossil that is a special natural monument”

The mountains, which are registered as a World Heritage Site,are home to many rare plants and animals, includingthe Amami rabbit, a natural monument and endangered species that is found only on Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima.

There are alsorare villages where the Amami rabbit appears among the people’s daily lives .You can easily observe rare wild animals at the Amami rabbit observation hut or by participating in a night tour.

Yasuhiro Yamashita’s town development in Amagi Town


Since opening Denpaku Tokunoshima in Amagi Town in 2018, architect and town development producer Yasuhiro Yamashita has been working on town development in collaboration with the local government and the local community, mainly through operating an accommodation facility with the aim ofpassing on Amagi Town’s traditional and legendary architecture and village culture to the next generation, as well as running the Denpaku Cafe & Office, a community space for village residents and a place wherepeoplecan experience the charm of local ingredients .

These initiatives have been recognized assome of the most innovative efforts the region has made to promote tourismin the Best Tourism Village 2024 awards .

1. Preserving the village landscape by reusing traditional and legendary architecture as accommodation

The Amami Islands have experienced the influx of multiple cultures and have developed a unique culture and architecture due to their warm climate, but there are some things that cannot be newly constructed due to changing times and the need to protect the natural environment.

Therefore, by preserving buildings that retain the unique traditional architectural style of Amami, we are contributing to the preservation of the landscape of the villages lined with traditional old houses. There are also lodgings that have been renovated from legendary buildings in the national park, as well as historic and valuable traditional buildings such as coral stone huts and Ryukyu style buildings.

2. Communicating with the local people through cultural experiences will help pass on village culture to the next generation.

We provide experience programs that unearth and re-edit experiences that are everyday for the local community but special for tourists. At Umigame Beach Inn, located a 10-second walk from the beach, you can experience the traditional fishing method of “Oikomi-gyo” taught by an uncle from the island.
Shimachu acts as a guide for Oikomi-gyo, which is being lost due to aging and a lack of successors, with the aim of passing on this traditional fishing method rooted in the region to the next generation.

3. Denpaku Cafe & Office: a place to promote the appeal of food made with local ingredients and a place for interaction between the village and tourists

Denpaku Cafe & Office, which was renovated from the first floor of a vacant building, aims to promote local production and consumption by using fresh organic vegetables and seasonings from the Amami Islands, mainly from Tokunoshima, and aims to reduce the environmental impact of production and transportation.
In addition, users can use it as a shared office, and it is also used as a place for communication between village residents and tourists.

About Denpaku

Denpaku was establishedin 2016 with the desire to protect and pass on to future generationsthe rich natural environment that has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the approximately 360 different village cultures that have been passed down for hundreds of years for each “island” (village). It consists offour types of accommodation facilities– Denpaku Old House, Denpaku Akakina Hotel, Denpaku Dormitory & Laundry, and Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA – and is working to promote interaction between village residents and tourists. Currently, there are 42 accommodation facilities with 52 rooms on the three islands of Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Kakeromajima. (Official website:http://den-paku.com/)

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA was featured in the July issue of “Discover Japan ₋ The Southern Island Resorts You Want to Visit Now.

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA was featured in “Discover Japan July Issue ₋ Resorts in the South Island You Want to Visit Now – (p.98-)” on sale June 10, 2024.

Hotel journalist Kyoko Sekine visited Amami Oshima and interviewed us.
The article introduces various aspects of the charms of Amami, from the guest rooms where you can be healed by the beautiful nature of Amami Oshima to the local producers who support the food at Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA.

We at Denpaku are very happy to hear that we offer our services with the hope that our guests can spend a healing time in a zen-like space where they can talk deeply with themselves,
The villa construction, the beautiful ocean, and the kindness of the islanders all make for an exquisite retreat.

Please pick up a copy of the magazine and enjoy the images of your stay.

Please also take a look at the three-page introduction in the July issue of “Discover Japan” on our website.

https://discoverjapan-web.com

Denpaku was featured in the December 18 issue of Nikkei Business.

Denpaku’s community development efforts were featured in the December 18, 2023 issue of “Nikkei Business – Jiji Fukkuso (p.82-)”.

The article introduces the “Amami Product Market” which deals with products of producers and creators in the Amami Islands, as well as activities to support the transmission of traditional craft skills from one generation to the next, from the perspective of a regional trading company. Please pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look.

The same article is also published in the “Nikkei Business E-edition”, which we hope you will also read.
https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/gen/19/00096/112800156/

https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/gen/19/00096/112800156/

【Press Release】 “Tsumugi Suite Villa”, a new guest room where you can enjoy the nature and culture of Amami, is now available! ~Oshima Tsumugi x Art x Upcycling

(Head office: Amami Innovation Corporation, Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture / President: Yasuhiro Yamashita), which is engaged in community development through the operation of accommodation facilities in the Amami Islands, is pleased to announce the launch of the 20th new guest room “Tsumugi Suite Villa” at “The Beachfront MIJORA” in Denpaku. Tsumugi Suite Villa”, the 20th guest room in “Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA”, is now on sale.

The Beachfront MIJORA is a retreat villa that offers a lodging experience to help guests forget the hustle and bustle of daily life and prepare their minds through the great nature of Amami, based on the concept of “communicating with the nature of the island. The “Tsumugi” in the newly created “Tsumugi Suite Villa” represents Oshima silk, a traditional craft that has been handed down for approximately 1,300 years on Amami Oshima. This time, together with Mr. Masaken Moto, an Oshima Tsumugi weaver who has been in business for 8 generations in Amami Oshima, and Mr. Shingo Minami, an Oshima Tsumugi weaver who has been in business for over 60 years, we have re-edited and tailored the charm of Oshima Tsumugi into the guest rooms, creating a unique and original space that is embraced by the Amami nature.
This activity is one of Den Tomari’s efforts to pass on traditional Amami crafts such as Oshima tsumugi to the next generation.
The beautiful sea seen through the wide windows over 10 meters wide and the cultural and creative art space woven with Oshima tsumugi silk will provide you with a relaxing moment.

 

What is “Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA”?


Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA, a luxury villa retreat, was established in July 2019 and is the fourth accommodation facility developed by Denpaku. The concept of Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA is “to interact with the nature of the island”. The view reflected in the largest glass window available in Amami is like a picture of the ever-changing sea and sky spread out before your eyes. The building also features a roof made of burnt cedar, inspired by Amami’s traditional “Takakura” architecture. It offers a tranquil and zen-like lodging experience where one forgets the hustle and bustle of daily life and faces the nature in front of one’s eyes.

 

What is the new “Tsumugi Suite Villa” where you can enjoy a stay of a higher rank?


The new “Tsumugi Suite Villa” is the largest villa in Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA, with 86 square meters, and can accommodate up to 4 guests.The theme of the villa is “Oshima Tsumugi x Art x Upcycling,” and upcycled materials from Oshima Tsumugi, a traditional Amami-Oshima craft with a history of 1,300 years and called one of the world’s three major textiles, are scattered throughout the villa. It is a creative art space that is typical of Denpaku, which weaves tradition into the future.

The Tsumugi Suite Villa is located on the second floor across the street from the other buildings, and its over 10-meter-wide glass windows overlook the seven-colored sea. The organic roof, which is reminiscent of the Amami sea and bobbing like waves, has more presence when illuminated by the Ryukyu glass, creating a fantastic experience as if you are looking at the surface of the water from inside the sea. The room offers a culturally healing experience while swaying in the egg chair installed in the room with a book selected from the mini library of books related to Amami in one hand.

Feature 1: One-of-a-kind Japanese-style room dressed in upcycled Oshima tsumugi “Amami cloth

The wallpaper is made of custom-directed “Amami Cloth” woven with 9 pieces of white Oshima silk threads torn into 5 mm lengths for the warp, and white silver threads and mud-dyed gold threads for the weft.
The wallpaper is based on the color white, but changes with the light, making it a special space where you can enjoy the passage of time.

What is “Amami cloth” upcycled from Oshima tsumugi?

Oshima tsumugi”, a traditional craft of Amami-Oshima Island, has lost its chance to be worn as well as the kimono has become less popular all over Japan. Amamifu” was developed by Mr. Masakazu Moto with the hope that people will continue to love it even in this new era. It utilizes a technique called saki-weaving, in which old Oshima tsumugi cloth is ripped and a new cloth is woven from the weft. This innovative weaving technique uses traditional tools, which allows Amami craftsmen to work and helps to pass on traditional techniques.

Feature 2: Bathroom to relax while savoring “White Oshima Tsumugi” all at once.

This bathroom is the only one of its kind in the world, with the entire wall covered with tiles made of Oshima tsumugi fabric and specially coated glass. The six types of Oshima tsumugi silk used for the tiles are called “Shiro Oshima tsumugi” (white Oshima tsumugi silk), which is woven by combining colorfully rubbed kasuri yarn and plain white yarn.

They offer a relaxing bath time with a new fascination for Oshima tsumugi.

Feature 3: “Oshima tsumugi” scattered throughout the guest rooms, creating a unique space

The first thing you will encounter is the mud-dyed handle of the entrance door.
The walls of the deep hallway are lined with upcycled Oshima silk and artwork depicting the nature of Amami.

Other cultural and high quality elements are chicly scattered in the guest rooms, creating a one-of-a-kind space where you can feel the tradition and innovation of Amami.

●About Mr. Tadaaki Hajime (President, Hajime Shoji Co., Ltd.)

Mr. Tadaaki Hajime is an Oshima Tsumugi weaver who has been in the Araya community on Amami Oshima for eight generations.
In 2018, he took over as the representative of the company and has been working on various products using traditional techniques and tools such as “Amami Cloth” and “Crystal Oshima Tsumugi” in addition to the production of Oshima Tsumugi.
Amami Cloth” will be used for the seats of a special edition Ferrari in 2022, and the company’s upcycled manufacturing is gaining recognition both in Japan and abroad.

Hajime Shoji’s official website: https://hajimeshoji.com/hajime-story/

●About Mr. Shingo Minami (President, Yumeori no Sato Co., Ltd.)

Mr. Shingo Minami, a weaver, continues to create new Oshima tsumugi under the motto “Tradition is always a series of new challenges. While running the only facility in Amami where the entire process from designing to weaving is done in-house, he also supports the Oshima silk industry as the leader of the Honjo Amami Oshima Tsumugi NEXT Project and vice-chairman of the Honjo Amami Oshima Tsumugi Sales Association.

Official website of Yumeori no Sato: https://www.yumeorinosato.com/

Honba Amami Oshima Tsumugi NEXT Project: https://ohshimatsumuginextproject.com/

●About the “Oshima Tsumugi” Reconstruction Project

Led by Yasuhiro Yamashita, the head of “Denbari,” this project is an effort to pass on the Oshima tsumugi industry to the next generation, together with Amami Oshima’s Oshima tsumugi craftsmen and experts in various fields. The aim of the project is to pass on the traditional Oshima tsumugi technique by solving the lack of successors by adding value to the traditional Oshima tsumugi and discovering new possibilities for new Oshima tsumugi.

●About Denpaku

It consists of four types of lodging facilities: “Denpaku Furuminka”, “Denpaku Amami Hotel”, “Denpaku Dormitory & Laundry”, and “Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA”. The community is being developed to promote interaction between the village residents and tourists.
Amami Oshima Island has nurtured a rich natural environment and ecosystem, and was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2021. Similarly, the approximately 360 different village cultures that have been handed down over hundreds of years from one “island” (village to another) to another in a variety of historical backgrounds are also valuable cultural resources that we can be proud of to the world. We consider them as “treasures of Amami” and started “Denpaku” in 2016 with the desire to protect them and hand them down to the future. Currently, we have 42 buildings and 52 rooms on the three islands of Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Kakaroma Island.

Official HP: http://den-paku.com/
Community development by Denpaku: https://www.machizukuri.yamashita-yasuhiro.net/

【Publication information】 Denpaku was featured in the December issue of “MyAge – Heal body and soul on a remote island retreat! -Denpaku was introduced in the magazine “MyAge

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA” and “Denpaku Amami Old Private House” were introduced in the December issue of “MyAge -Heal your body and soul at a remote island retreat” on sale on December 6, 2023! (P152-)” introduced “Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA” and “Denpaku Amami Old Private House”.

Thank you very much for the wonderful introduction of our facilities and the charm of Amami Oshima in the magazine.
Please pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look.

【Publication information】Featured in “Discover Japan”.

 

Denpaku was featured in the October issue of “Discover Japan – 15 trips to heal me. / Double Special Feature “Kyushu”” on September 6, 2023. Denpaku was awarded the Gold Prize in the Lodging (Hospitality) category of the Kyushu Tourism Town Development AWERD and featured in the article about Denpaku’s town development.

Thank you very much for the wonderful article in the magazine introducing the charm of Amami Oshima and Denpaku’s town development.
Please pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look.

【Publication information】Featured in “TAKARAJIMASHA,Inc. I want to stay at least once in my lifetime! Miraculous and spectacular lodgings”.

 

一生に一度は泊まりたい! 奇跡の絶景宿

 

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA” was featured in the July 13, 2023 issue of “TAKARAJIMASHA,Inc. The Beachfront MIJORA” was introduced in the magazine “Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA” on July 13, 2023.

Thank you very much for the wonderful text and photos, and for introducing us in the magazine full of the charms of Amami Oshima.
Please pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look.

【Publication information】Featured in “OZmagazineTRIP”.

 

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA”, “Denpaku Ancient Houses”, and “Denpaku Amami Hotel” were featured in the June 28, 2023 issue of “Ozumagazine Trip: Japan’s World Heritage You Must See at Least Once in Your Life”, Denpaku Amami Hotel” were introduced in the “Ozumagazine Trip: Japan’s World Heritage Sites to See in Your Life”.

Thank you very much for the wonderful text and photos, and for introducing us in the magazine with full of the charm of Amami Oshima.
Please pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look.

【Publication information】Featured in “anan”.

 

The June 28, 2023 issue of “anan: A Healing Summer Journey Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA”, “Denpaku Old House”, and “Denpaku Amami Hotel” were introduced in the magazine “an anan Healing Summer Journey” which will be on sale on June 28, 2023.

Thank you very much for the wonderful text and photos, and for introducing us in the magazine with full of the charm of Amami Oshima.
Please pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look.

【Publication information】Featured in “Waraku”.

 

和樂 8・9月号

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA was introduced in “WARAKU: A Journey to the National Treasure 117” on sale on July 1, 2023.

Thank you very much for the wonderful text and photos, and for introducing us in the magazine with full of the charm of Amami Oshima.
Please pick up a copy of the magazine and take a look.

【Publication information】Featured in “CREA Traveller”.

 

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA was introduced in the May 1, 2023 issue of “CREA Traveller: In Search of Ultimate Wellness, Awakening Thailand / Amami Oshima: A Journey to the Islands for Gastronomy.

The article features the one-night-only dinner held by JAL Local Gastronomy Trip “Fly to the Table – A Journey of Flavors”.

Thank you very much for the wonderful text, photos, and the fascinating article on Amami Oshima.
Please take a look at the article.

【Publication information】Featured in “Hanako”.

 

Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA was featured in the February 28, 2023 issue of “Hanako: Tradition and Style Encountered on Amami Oshima. Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA” was introduced in the magazine “Hanako: Tradition and Style Encountered in Amami Oshima” on February 28, 2023.

Thank you very much for the wonderful text, photos, and the fascinating article on Amami Oshima.
Please take a look at the article.