Social gathering and study tour: Festival, organic farms, sand dunes, mountain, hot springs

On the second day of the two-day annual event to share experiences about revitalizing rural economies through effectively using existing resources was held at the Hotel New Otani Tottori on Oct. 28 and 29, co-hosted by The Japan Times’ Sustainable Japan Network and Tottori Prefecture, the participants took a tour to the town of Daisen, Mount Mitoku and the town of Misasa, and the Tottori Sand Dunes. In Daisen, the group visited the habitat of Japanese giant salamanders and the organic farm run by Sustainable Daisen, a nonprofit led by Richard Pearce, as well as the local community center Mabuya to enjoy a vegan lunch prepared by Kazumi Pearce.

The group then participated in the annual Hono no Saiten (Festival of Flame) at the temple of Mitokusan Sanbutsuji, located at an altitude of 900 meters on Mount Mitoku, before visiting hot springs in Misasa, at the foot of the mountain, to enjoy a foot bath.

At the end of the tour, the group enjoyed a magnificent view of the sun setting behind the Tottori Sand Dunes and the Sea of Japan.

Meanwhile, students in the Art and Manga Club at Tottori Prefectural Yonago High School gave a presentation about their activities and contributions to the regional community.The club won the top prize at the 32nd National High School Manga Championships (Manga Koshien). The school became the first school in Tottori to be awarded the prize. The students talked about their activities, their path to the victory in the competition and their regional contributions through creating art and manga works commissioned by local companies and members of the community.