Shodoshima Universal Beach at Furusato Village Beach

The NPO Suma Universal Beach Project, which aims to create beaches where people with and without disabilities can enjoy together, will hold a Universal Beach Experience event at the beach in Shodoshima Furusato Village. To promote barrier-free access to the sea and realize universal beaches, we will implement an event using beach mats and amphibious wheelchairs, enabling wheelchair users to enter the sea safely and with peace of mind, on Saturday, July 25th, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Third Universal Beach Event in Shodoshima

In Shodoshima Town and Tonosho Town, as part of a sustainable tourism promotion project, efforts have been underway since 2024 to implement the Universal Beach Project, aiming to create an environment where everyone, regardless of disability, can enjoy the sea.

The first and second events held so far attracted 6 and 8 families, respectively, from both within and outside the island. We received many positive comments such as "I was able to enjoy the sea with my family for the first time in 10 years" and "The energetic staff made us feel at ease," turning these events into opportunities to fulfill the "wishes that participants and their families wanted to achieve."

This third event is even more enhanced! After enjoying swimming in the sea, you can also try SUP and kayaking. Let's create special memories filled with smiles together in Shodoshima this summer!

Event Overview

Organizer: Shodoshima Town, Tonosho Town

Cooperation: NPO Suma Universal Beach Project

Date and Time: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

*Event proceeds in case of rain, cancelled in case of severe weather.

Location: Shodoshima Furusato Village Beach

Number of Participants: Approximately 8 groups

Participation Fee: Free

What to Bring: Long-sleeved long pants (for jellyfish protection) - Hat and drinks (for sunburn prevention and heatstroke prevention)

Target Audience: Those interested in universal beaches and their families

Inquiry Desk: Shodoshima Tourism Association, Matsuda/Shinohara

https://forms.gle/71FUUdJW5pHtz3fx5

<Corporate Overview>

Organization Name: NPO Suma Universal Beach Project

Location: Dorf 21-102, 1-14-10 Komagabayashi-cho, Nagata-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Representative: Shunsuke Kido

Established: November 2, 2017

URL: https://sumauniversalbeach.com/

Business Activities: With the motto "Turning everyone's 'cannot do' into 'can do!'," we are engaged in activities to promote universally designed beaches that can be enjoyed by everyone, from people with disabilities to the elderly and small children. Since Reiwa 3 (2021), our activities have been featured in junior high school social studies civics textbooks under the title "People Aiming for a Sustainable Future" as an advanced case study for achieving SDGs.

<Major Awards and Recognition>

- Excellence Award, Public-Private Partnership Award (2026)

- ICC Summit Catapult Presentation (2025, 2026)

- Featured on Official Government Public Relations SNS (FY2025)

- 2nd Place Worldwide, Blue Flag Best Practice Award (FY2023)

- Certified Blue Flag Case by the Japan Tourism Agency (FY2022, 2023)

- Featured in Education Publishing Junior High School Civics Textbook (FY2021)

- Advanced Case Study for Achieving Sustainable Tourism by the Japan Tourism Agency (FY2020)

- Gold Award, IAUD International Universal Design Award (2019)

- Hyogo Universal Society Creation Award (2018)

<Contact Information>

Suma Universal Beach Project PR Office

Office Manager: Shogo Tsuchihara

Via the form on HP: https://sumauniversalbeach.com/

TEL: 080-3782-4405

E-mail: [email protected]