The Shimada and Nagamatsu laboratories of Department of Tourism in Faculty of Collaborative Regional Development, and the Sato Laboratory of Department of Photography and Imaging Arts in Faculty of Art and Design, are collaborating with E-Wind Co., Ltd., a company that handles maintenance of offshore wind power generation facilities in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, on a joint project to develop educational tours utilizing the city's "decarbonization content." As part of this project, 20 students from both departments conducted a site visit to Fukue Island (Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture) for three days from September 8th (Tuesday) to 10th (Thursday). The purpose of this visit was to deepen their learning by actually experiencing the overall picture of decarbonization-related facilities and tourism resources on the island, as a foundation for planning educational tours.
On the first day, we visited the Goto Tourism and History Museum and the Dozaki Catholic Church. We learned about the origins of sustainability and the deep faith history of the people who have used their ingenuity to survive in the limited environment of this remote island.
Next, to learn about the forefront of decarbonization, the students visited the Hassakuhana Wind Power Plant and the Shimo-Otsu Observatory (solar power facilities at Otsu Minato Park). The students confirmed on-site the differences between power sales methods such as the FIP system and the FIT system, and compared mega solar power plants with offshore wind turbines. They also toured natural scenic spots such as Onitake, Uozugasaki Park, and Gyōran Kannon Observatory, directly experiencing the sources of renewable energy such as strong winds and unobstructed sunlight, and considered the experiential value of tours and the potential of storytelling.
The following day, we exchanged opinions with the Goto City Tourism Association and visited the headquarters of E-Wind Co., Ltd., our joint research partner. The company remotely monitors wind power generation facilities nationwide, and we were able to view the operating status of facilities across the country via monitor. As this was a joint project between the humanities and Faculty of Art and Design, we deepened our camaraderie with a barbecue in the evening, making it an enjoyable and educational site visit.
Based on the input gained from this inspection, students in Department of Tourism will proceed with planning and proposing specific decarbonization education tours, while students in Department of Photography and Imaging Arts will work on producing video content necessary for promoting and implementing the educational tours.
[Department of Tourism / Department of Photography and Imaging Arts]
