Hiroyuki Nakano
Assistant Director, Industry Promotion Division, Takahama Town
Tourism Brochure “Takahama DAYS”: Introducing the Charms of Wakasa Wada Beach and Takahama Town
Hello, everyone. Today, I would like to introduce the charms of Takahama Town—with its beautiful beaches
and vibrant atmosphere—by referring to the Takahama Town tourism brochure, “Takahama DAYS,”
distributed to you.
Takahama Town is located in the westernmost part of Fukui Prefecture and has a population of approximately.9,600. The town’s symbols are Wakasa Wada Beach, which has earned Blue Flag certification, and Mt. Aoba,also known as “Wakasa Fuji” due to its resemblance to Mt. Fuji.
Wakasa Wada Beach is characterized by its fine sand and crystal-clear waters, with a gently sloping shoreline
and calm waves. During the summer beach season, it bustles with over 100,000 visitors.
Takahama Town’s journey toward Blue Flag certification began with a small spark. It all started when the
tourism official at the time learned about the Programme through a survey regarding swimming beaches and resonated with its philosophy. Following this, after repeated discussions with the tourism association and residents, the town spent about two years working toward obtaining certification.
Wakasa Wada Beach is home to organizations dedicated to marine safety, such as the lifesaving club and the
water rescue committee, and beach cleanup activities are regularly carried out by the beach house staff and
residents. In this way, the initiatives that underpin Blue Flag certification were already deeply rooted in the
community.
Furthermore, Takahama Town offers a variety of events, including marine activities and the fireworks festival,
and boasts a rich culinary scene. There are numerous attractive dining options, ranging from chirashi-sushi
and marinated rice bowls to creative cuisine, Italian dishes, fresh fruit, and Wakasa fugu. The town also
showcases its history, culture, initiatives by young entrepreneurs active in the community, and ocean-view
accommodations, allowing you to experience the diverse charms of Takahama Town.
Obtaining Blue Flag certification has brought various positive effects to Takahama Town. One of them is the
creation of this booklet, “Takahama DAYS.” Production began following the certification, and it has since
grown into a platform for promoting the town’s appeal.
This booklet introduces the lifestyle and culture of Takahama Town in detail through photographs and
columns, allowing you to experience the town’s charms fully.
To everyone who has picked up this booklet today, why not spend some special time in Takahama Town with
“Takahama DAYS” in hand? An electronic version is also available on the Tourism Association’s website, so
please do visit Takahama Town.
Now, Ms. Nagano will introduce the recent Blue Flag initiatives. Ms. Nagano, please go ahead.
Yuka Nagano
Blue Flag Academy+
Blue Flag Academy+
Successful Initiatives for Wakasa Wada Beach
Hello, everyone. Speaking on behalf of Blue Flag Academy+, I would like to introduce the Blue Flag initiatives
at Wakasa Wada Beach.
Wakasa Wada Beach is located in Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture. Although situated in the Hokuriku region,it borders Kyoto Prefecture and shares cultural similarities with the Kansai region. Under the slogan “A clean ocean for our children, even 100 years from now,” we continue our efforts to protect this safe and beautiful beach.
I first discovered this area while beachcombing as my hobby, which led me to become involved in the Blue
Flag initiatives. Driftwood and debris are “time travelers” that wash ashore across national borders and
through the ages, reminding us that the ocean connects the world.
Wakasa Wada Beach is characterized by its shallow, crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores, and was the
first beach in Asia to receive Blue Flag certification. However, due to the influence of ocean currents and
seasonal winds unique to the Sea of Japan, the beach faces the challenge of large amounts of marine debris
washing ashore from both within and outside the country.
Takahama Town was once bustling with tourists, but in recent years, a decline in visitors and a shortage of
local volunteers have become issues. Amidst these circumstances, Blue Flag initiatives have been promoted
to protect the ocean and pass it on to future generations.
Blue Flag Academy+ promotes its philosophy via information dissemination, outreach classes in schools,
corporate training, and events, while also engaging in initiatives such as creating products using marine
plastic.
Wakasa Wada Beach is highly regarded for its excellent water quality, and initiatives are being carried out in
collaboration with the local community, such as promoting ecotourism and fostering an environment that
engages local children. In terms of safety, lifeguards, rescue personnel, and medical staff work together to
create an environment where everyone can enjoy the beach with peace of mind, including the installation of
barrier-free boardwalks and amphibious wheelchairs.
For environmental education, we hold hands-on craft workshops using materials from the beach and wildlife
observation sessions, with local children actively participating. We also organize events linked to beach
cleanups, working to create systems that allow people to engage in environmental activities while having fun.
Through year-round cleanup activities, upcycling of marine debris, and the introduction of new activities, we
are also helping enhance the local area’s appeal.
We hope that this everyday life by the beautiful sea will continue under the Blue Flag philosophy.
