"Shirahama is Warm Even Without Pandas" - Junior High Students Launch "Shirahama Gacha," a Gashapon Souvenir of Scrap Knit Handkerchiefs
First-year students from Shirahama Junior High School in Wakayama Prefecture, in collaboration with the Shirahama Connect Project, have jointly planned and developed "Shirahama Gacha," a gashapon souvenir made from scrap knit fabric handkerchiefs (25cm x 25cm). This initiative aims to promote Shirahama's "beautiful, warm, and relaxing hot spring culture" to domestic and international visitors, especially after the return of pandas. Sales are set to begin in June 2026 at tourist facilities and accommodations within Shirahama Town, contributing to sustainable tourism.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 23:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 15:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 15:14 (12 min after Collected)
The Birth of "Shirahama Gacha" Created by Junior High School Students
Bringing Shirahama's "Beautiful and Warm Hot Spring Culture" to the World with Scrap Knit Handkerchiefs, Even Without Pandas
First-year students from Shirahama Town Shirahama Junior High School in Wakayama Prefecture, in collaboration with the Shirahama Connect Project, have jointly planned and developed "Shirahama Gacha," a gashapon product featuring handkerchiefs (25cm x 25cm) made from scrap knit fabric, as a new tourist souvenir for Shirahama Town.
Even after the return of pandas, the students chose "beautiful, warm, and relaxing hot spring culture" as Shirahama's appeal that they wanted to share with visitors from outside the region and overseas.
Focusing on "tenugui" (Japanese hand towels) as an item to express this image, they commercialized it as an easy-to-use everyday handkerchief utilizing scrap knit. By using scrap knit, "Shirahama Gacha" also stands as a sustainable tourism product, with sales scheduled to begin in June 2026 at tourist facilities and accommodations within Shirahama Town.
This product is the "fruit of learning" that Shirahama Junior High School first-year students thought through proactively, from project planning to design ideas, target setting, and sales goal setting, during 14 classes held in the third semester (mid-January to March).
The sales target is set at a total of 12,028 units (7,000 for Japanese tourists, 5,000 for foreign tourists, and 28 for student purchases), aiming for diverse visitors to Shirahama to pick them up.
The product lineup consists of 6 types. Students selected representative places and cultures that they considered "Shirahama's pride" and "what tourists should know" as motifs.
- Shirarahama Beach
- Shirahama Town Shirahama Junior High School
- Heisogen Park
- Saki-no-Yu Hot Spring
- Engetsu Island
- Kue Nabe (Grouper Hot Pot)
In addition to classic tourist spots like Shirarahama Beach and Engetsu Island, each design incorporates diverse "Shirahama-ness," such as "Shirahama Junior High School," which is familiar to local junior high school students, "Saki-no-Yu," a symbol of hot spring culture, and "Kue Nabe," known as a winter delicacy.
"Even without pandas, Shirahama has many things to be proud of" - this product visualizes that message with the perspective and sensibility unique to junior high school students.
The material used is scrap knit fabric provided by Yamayo Textile Co., Ltd. By utilizing knit fabric that becomes scrap during the manufacturing process, it became a sustainable initiative that contributes to waste reduction. Due to the softness and high absorbency unique to knit, it is easy to use as an everyday handkerchief, in addition to its use as a "tenugui" unique to hot spring resorts.
With a size of 25cm x 25cm and a selling price of 500 yen per turn, it achieves a price range that children and adults can easily enjoy.
In manufacturing, various partner companies from the regional, welfare, and manufacturing sectors participated. Yamayo Textile Co., Ltd. provided the materials, Certified NPO Colon handled printing, Eiko Kojima Co., Ltd. handled cutting, and Prosper Co., Ltd. (Dolphin Group) handled sewing. By collaborating with businesses inside and outside the region, this project became more than just a souvenir development; it combined "learning," "welfare," "environmental consideration," and "regional industry promotion."
In terms of operation, players representing Shirahama's tourism, transportation, airport, and town development also participated as cooperating companies (in alphabetical order):
- AWRS Co., Ltd. (Adventure World)
- OS Co., Ltd.
- SMASAPO Co., Ltd.
- TETAU Business Cooperative
- Nanki Shirahama Airport Co., Ltd.
- West Japan Railway Company
- Relic Co., Ltd.
In collaboration with these partners, we are developing routes where travelers arriving in Shirahama can encounter "Shirahama Gacha" while touring the town.
"Shirahama Gacha" is scheduled to be sold at the following facilities and stores:
- Adventure World
- Kii Peninsula Tourist Information Station (within JR Shirahama Station)
- Sandanbeki Cave
- Hotel Seamore SHIRAHAMA KEY TERRACE HOTEL SEAMORE
- Kagerou Café
By allowing visitors to experience "Shirahama Gacha" in various settings, such as JR Shirahama Station, which is the gateway to Shirahama, popular tourist spots, accommodations, and cafes, we promote the creation of memories during their stay in Shirahama and purchases as souvenirs for family and friends.
In this project, over 14 classes during the semester (mid-January to March), students engaged in understanding the current situation of the region, target setting, product concept formulation, design consideration, and sales plan creation. Students exchanged opinions with local adults and businesses while confronting the questions of "What are Shirahama's attractions without pandas?" and "What do we want to convey to people from outside the region and overseas?"
On May 21st (Thursday), an "Unveiling Event" will be held to announce the completed product to local stakeholders and the media, providing an opportunity for students to present the background and thoughts behind their project in their own words.
Widely known for the presence of pandas.
Bringing Shirahama's "Beautiful and Warm Hot Spring Culture" to the World with Scrap Knit Handkerchiefs, Even Without Pandas
First-year students from Shirahama Town Shirahama Junior High School in Wakayama Prefecture, in collaboration with the Shirahama Connect Project, have jointly planned and developed "Shirahama Gacha," a gashapon product featuring handkerchiefs (25cm x 25cm) made from scrap knit fabric, as a new tourist souvenir for Shirahama Town.
Even after the return of pandas, the students chose "beautiful, warm, and relaxing hot spring culture" as Shirahama's appeal that they wanted to share with visitors from outside the region and overseas.
Focusing on "tenugui" (Japanese hand towels) as an item to express this image, they commercialized it as an easy-to-use everyday handkerchief utilizing scrap knit. By using scrap knit, "Shirahama Gacha" also stands as a sustainable tourism product, with sales scheduled to begin in June 2026 at tourist facilities and accommodations within Shirahama Town.
This product is the "fruit of learning" that Shirahama Junior High School first-year students thought through proactively, from project planning to design ideas, target setting, and sales goal setting, during 14 classes held in the third semester (mid-January to March).
The sales target is set at a total of 12,028 units (7,000 for Japanese tourists, 5,000 for foreign tourists, and 28 for student purchases), aiming for diverse visitors to Shirahama to pick them up.
The product lineup consists of 6 types. Students selected representative places and cultures that they considered "Shirahama's pride" and "what tourists should know" as motifs.
- Shirarahama Beach
- Shirahama Town Shirahama Junior High School
- Heisogen Park
- Saki-no-Yu Hot Spring
- Engetsu Island
- Kue Nabe (Grouper Hot Pot)
In addition to classic tourist spots like Shirarahama Beach and Engetsu Island, each design incorporates diverse "Shirahama-ness," such as "Shirahama Junior High School," which is familiar to local junior high school students, "Saki-no-Yu," a symbol of hot spring culture, and "Kue Nabe," known as a winter delicacy.
"Even without pandas, Shirahama has many things to be proud of" - this product visualizes that message with the perspective and sensibility unique to junior high school students.
The material used is scrap knit fabric provided by Yamayo Textile Co., Ltd. By utilizing knit fabric that becomes scrap during the manufacturing process, it became a sustainable initiative that contributes to waste reduction. Due to the softness and high absorbency unique to knit, it is easy to use as an everyday handkerchief, in addition to its use as a "tenugui" unique to hot spring resorts.
With a size of 25cm x 25cm and a selling price of 500 yen per turn, it achieves a price range that children and adults can easily enjoy.
In manufacturing, various partner companies from the regional, welfare, and manufacturing sectors participated. Yamayo Textile Co., Ltd. provided the materials, Certified NPO Colon handled printing, Eiko Kojima Co., Ltd. handled cutting, and Prosper Co., Ltd. (Dolphin Group) handled sewing. By collaborating with businesses inside and outside the region, this project became more than just a souvenir development; it combined "learning," "welfare," "environmental consideration," and "regional industry promotion."
In terms of operation, players representing Shirahama's tourism, transportation, airport, and town development also participated as cooperating companies (in alphabetical order):
- AWRS Co., Ltd. (Adventure World)
- OS Co., Ltd.
- SMASAPO Co., Ltd.
- TETAU Business Cooperative
- Nanki Shirahama Airport Co., Ltd.
- West Japan Railway Company
- Relic Co., Ltd.
In collaboration with these partners, we are developing routes where travelers arriving in Shirahama can encounter "Shirahama Gacha" while touring the town.
"Shirahama Gacha" is scheduled to be sold at the following facilities and stores:
- Adventure World
- Kii Peninsula Tourist Information Station (within JR Shirahama Station)
- Sandanbeki Cave
- Hotel Seamore SHIRAHAMA KEY TERRACE HOTEL SEAMORE
- Kagerou Café
By allowing visitors to experience "Shirahama Gacha" in various settings, such as JR Shirahama Station, which is the gateway to Shirahama, popular tourist spots, accommodations, and cafes, we promote the creation of memories during their stay in Shirahama and purchases as souvenirs for family and friends.
In this project, over 14 classes during the semester (mid-January to March), students engaged in understanding the current situation of the region, target setting, product concept formulation, design consideration, and sales plan creation. Students exchanged opinions with local adults and businesses while confronting the questions of "What are Shirahama's attractions without pandas?" and "What do we want to convey to people from outside the region and overseas?"
On May 21st (Thursday), an "Unveiling Event" will be held to announce the completed product to local stakeholders and the media, providing an opportunity for students to present the background and thoughts behind their project in their own words.
Widely known for the presence of pandas.