Welcome to Uminowa

Uminowa is the visitor center for Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. Situated on the Tatsukushi Coast in Tosashimizu, the center introduces the national park’s diverse features, which range from forested mountains and steep cliffs to seas inhabited by more than 100 species of corals and 384 kinds of colorful sea slugs, among a remarkable variety of marine life. Uminowa translates to “circle of the sea,” and this name was chosen in the hope that the visitor center would inspire connections between nature, local residents, and visitors, and encourage conservation of the area’s natural riches. The center’s coastal location allows visitors to experience the natural world of Ashizuri-Uwakai firsthand right after learning about it by viewing the multimedia displays at Uminowa.

The Purpose of Uminowa

In addition to showing visitors the beauty of Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park, Uminowa seeks to keep people engaged with nature so that the park’s beauty can be conserved for future generations. Local volunteers participate in such engagement by helping with regular forest maintenance, control of the populations of certain types of starfish to prevent damage to corals, and other activities. Uminowa also aims to connect visitors with people in the local community in order to build the bridges necessary for conservation of the area’s nature and culture. Furthermore, the center seeks to pass on the community’s knowledge and customs to the next generation through engagement with local schools and other institutions.