Unzen Tourism Bureau Unveils 'Ariake Bayside Story' Booklet to Connect Regional Charms to the Future Through Storytelling

Unzen City, Kunimi Town: Sunset from Taira Port

The Unzen Tourism Bureau is holding an unveiling event for the booklet "Ariake Bayside Story," the culmination of the "Working Group to Love Ariake Bayside More" initiative, which has been focused on the towns of Aino, Azuma, and Mizuho in Unzen City.

This initiative was launched with the goal of formulating a "Comprehensive Interpretation Plan" to re-examine the nature, history, culture, and lives of the people rooted in the region facing the Ariake Sea, and to organize and share their values and meanings as "stories."

The working groups, which have been held since 2025, brought together participants from various backgrounds, including local residents, students, business operators, and government officials. Through repeated dialogues, they have unearthed resources, landscapes, wisdom of daily life, and cultural backgrounds scattered across the Ariake Bayside region. In the initial working group, as many as 198 regional resources were listed in a short period of time, reaffirming the richness of the charms dormant in this area.

The Ariake Bayside area is supported by the bounty of the sea nurtured by the tidal range of the Ariake Sea and rich farmland made of volcanic ash soil. In addition, the peaceful scenery where the Shimabara Railway runs, historical streetscapes, and people's activities remain prominent, offering the charm of "traveling as if living there."

Unzen City, Azuma Town: Makiba no Sato Azuma

What is "Interpretation"?

Interpretation is a form of communication that conveys the "meaning" and "value" embedded in the region's nature, history, culture, and life to visitors as a story.

The Comprehensive Interpretation Plan is a guideline for organizing the region's unique characteristics (Sense of Place) and applying them consistently to tourism, guiding, experiential programs, and community development.

Its purpose is not mere tourist information, but to deeply connect people and the region, fostering attachment and learning about the area.

Purpose of Interpretation

While anyone can enjoy beautiful natural landscapes, hospitality, and delicious food, the stories behind them cannot be known simply by looking at them.

The scenic fields and rice paddies seen in the nature-rich land sandwiched between Mount Unzen and the Ariake Sea, typical tourist spots and their townscapes, and the rich and diverse food brought from the foothills and the surrounding sea. Furthermore, the lives of the people who nurture them have historical meanings and values that continue from the past to the present. The primary purpose of interpretation is to share these with visitors so they can enjoy them more and deepen their connection with each area. Furthermore, it provides opportunities to think about the importance of nature and the sustainability of society through visits.

The "Ariake Bayside Story" Booklet

How to Utilize the Comprehensive Interpretation Plan

The Comprehensive Interpretation Plan is a common regional guideline that can be utilized in various situations, not only for tourist information but also for experiential programs, events, guide activities, public relations production, product development, and community building.

Sharing the stories behind the region's nature, history, and culture provides a deeper experience for visitors and helps locals recognize the value of their own region, fostering pride and attachment.

In addition, this plan is not meant to be finished upon completion; it is positioned as a "co-created plan" that local people will refine through practical application and nurture for the future.

Looking Back on the Working Groups

In creating the Comprehensive Interpretation Plan, working groups were held once a month by area. The Unzen Onsen district, which we started with first, was a small start, so many people engaged in tourism participated.

In 2023, we held a working group to "Convey the Goodness of Kunimi," where participants shared the charms of the Kunimi district. In the first session, participants shared regional resources, the charms of nature, history, culture, and food, and re-examined things that have become "commonplace" in the region. This working group saw participation not only from locals but also from people in various industries from across Nagasaki Prefecture. It became a place where local residents and people from other municipalities reaffirmed the value of Kunimi. The subsequent sessions focused on how to utilize regional resources for tourism and experiences, identifying the target audience for Kunimi's appeal, turning Kunimi's uniqueness into catchphrases, and finally organizing and systematizing the value of Kunimi in the fifth and final session.

Furthermore, in 2024, we held the "Working Group to Love the Tachibana Bay District More." This also saw participation from various industries inside and outside the city. In the first session, a total of 167 regional resources and charms, including food, landscapes, history, and industry, were organized, and the goal of creating new experiential products was also set. It became the first step in viewing the rich nature and life of the Tachibana Bay area as a "story." The second session focused deeply on "Minamikushiyama Town" within the Tachibana Bay district. Agriculture and