Dr. Sanskriti Menon, Board Member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and Senior Programme Director at the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) in India, visited Japan. (Photo: Left - Dr. Sanskriti, Second from left - Board Member Takayama)
Guided by JARTA Board Member Takeshi Takayama, Dr. Menon visited Kobe's Suma Beach, which holds Blue Flag certification, and Awaji Island. Deeply moved by Japan’s nature, Satoyama culture, and community-rooted sustainable tourism, she shared the following warm comments:
Blue Flag awarded Suma Beach at the city of Kobe is a wonderful asset for families, young and old people, for recreation, soaking up the sun, exercise or quiet meditation in nature.
Suma Beach: Providing Mobi-Chairs so everyone can enjoy bathing in the sea
On our visit to Suma, FEE Board Member and JARTA Board Member Masaru Takayama showed how as National Operator, JARTA supports local authorities and beach managers to remain committed to the high standards of Blue Flag.
With sustainable tourism promotion as its goal, JARTA's leadership is strengthening the ecosystem of the whole sector.
Drawing on the everyday lived experiences of taste, food, and local community, Masaru-san is a guru who opens your understanding of the landscape.
Traveling around Awaji Island where Masaru resides, he showed how Satoyama is a way of life. Seeking the blessings of the 7 Temples and Kami at Awaji Island uncovered some of the spiritual moorings of a people, with layers of connection with other cultures, including India.
Profile
Dr. Sanskriti Menon
Board Member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Senior Programme Director at the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), based in India. She is active internationally in fields such as Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), community-based environmental governance, and coastal & marine programs.
