[Iriomote Hotel] 'Peach Pine School' held to invite local elementary school students to deepen pride and love for the island's charm
Iriomote Hotel by Hoshino Resorts, aiming to be Japan's first 'Ecotourism Resort,' held the 'Iriomote Island Peach Pine School' on April 24, 2026. Fourth graders from Uehara Elementary School were invited to experience harvesting and learn from local farmers, fostering local pride.
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- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 01:50
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At Iriomote Hotel by Hoshino Resorts, which aims to be Japan's first 'Ecotourism Resort' on Iriomote Island—a designated World Natural Heritage site—the 'Iriomote Island Peach Pine School' was held on April 24, 2026. Fourth graders from Taketomi Town Uehara Elementary School were invited to the event. Through lectures by Mr. Noriyuki Hirai of the Iriomote Island Tropical Fruit Production Association, a local pineapple farmer, and hands-on harvesting experiences, the children learned about the deliciousness of Iriomote's Peach Pine. Through this event, local children rediscovered the island's charm and deepened their pride and love for their hometown.
### Background of the Event
Hoshino Resorts values providing unique local charms and experiences as essential elements in shaping a 'journey.' Iriomote Island, where the hotel is located, is an island where nature and human life coexist, with thriving tourism and agriculture. One of the representative specialties of Iriomote Island is the Peach Pine. It is a rare variety said to be suitable for cultivation in acidic soil, with limited production areas. We believe that for the nature and culture of Iriomote Island to remain in the future, it is important for local people to understand the local charm and increase their interest. Therefore, we decided to hold this event to provide the children who will lead the next generation with an opportunity to rediscover the charm of Peach Pine and foster pride and love for their hometown. Iriomote Hotel holds the 'Spring Peach Pine Festival' every year during the harvest season and collaborates with local farmers. This event is part of those activities. The Spring Peach Pine Festival has reached its 6th year, and the learning was further deepened by conducting actual harvesting experiences in the fields.
### Inviting Local Elementary Students
On the day, 4th graders from Uehara Elementary School on Iriomote Island participated. Through lectures by Mr. Noriyuki Hirai and hotel staff on the secrets of Peach Pine's deliciousness and cultivation methods, the students deepened their understanding of the local specialty while having fun.
### Harvesting Experience in the Peach Pine Field
After the lecture at the hotel, the students visited an actual Peach Pine field for a harvesting experience. By visiting the field, they could see and touch the characteristics of the pineapples they had heard about earlier, deepening their learning further. Since Peach Pine has the characteristic of being edible even to the core, the farmer cut the freshly harvested ones on the spot for the children to taste—a unique experience only available at the production site. Mr. Hirai said, 'Although Peach Pine is familiar, few island children have had the chance to experience harvesting or eating it whole on the spot. I would be happy if this opportunity makes them know more about it.' In this way, an opportunity was provided for local students, farmers, and hotel staff to interact directly.
### Changes in Students' Awareness
The participating students shared their impressions: 'Through the pine learning, I was able to know about Peach Pine. I want to continue eating delicious Peach Pine,' and 'I learned for the first time that pineapples bloom from the bottom and ripen from the bottom up.' In addition to new realizations about local specialties, pride and love were born.
### Iriomote Island Tropical Fruit Production Association
A group formed by tropical fruit farmers in the western district of Iriomote Island. They are actively incorporating new ideas and working to solve regional issues through agriculture. They aim to build a sustainable agricultural cycle on the island, such as creating compost using materials available on the island and establishing a system for producing delicious fruits using organic fertilizers.
### Reference: 'Spring Peach Pine Festival'
Our hotel holds the 'Spring Peach Pine Festival' every year with the cooperation of local farmers, and this year marks its 6th year. During the period, guests can enjoy 'Peach Pine' with its faint peach aroma at the hotel. At a special stage, the 'Peach Pine SHOW' is held where farmers talk directly about the features and history. In the 'Peach Pine Harvesting Experience,' guests can actually harvest pineapples using a sickle in the field. Tourists can fully enjoy the deliciousness while interacting directly with the farmers.
### Background of the Event
Hoshino Resorts values providing unique local charms and experiences as essential elements in shaping a 'journey.' Iriomote Island, where the hotel is located, is an island where nature and human life coexist, with thriving tourism and agriculture. One of the representative specialties of Iriomote Island is the Peach Pine. It is a rare variety said to be suitable for cultivation in acidic soil, with limited production areas. We believe that for the nature and culture of Iriomote Island to remain in the future, it is important for local people to understand the local charm and increase their interest. Therefore, we decided to hold this event to provide the children who will lead the next generation with an opportunity to rediscover the charm of Peach Pine and foster pride and love for their hometown. Iriomote Hotel holds the 'Spring Peach Pine Festival' every year during the harvest season and collaborates with local farmers. This event is part of those activities. The Spring Peach Pine Festival has reached its 6th year, and the learning was further deepened by conducting actual harvesting experiences in the fields.
### Inviting Local Elementary Students
On the day, 4th graders from Uehara Elementary School on Iriomote Island participated. Through lectures by Mr. Noriyuki Hirai and hotel staff on the secrets of Peach Pine's deliciousness and cultivation methods, the students deepened their understanding of the local specialty while having fun.
### Harvesting Experience in the Peach Pine Field
After the lecture at the hotel, the students visited an actual Peach Pine field for a harvesting experience. By visiting the field, they could see and touch the characteristics of the pineapples they had heard about earlier, deepening their learning further. Since Peach Pine has the characteristic of being edible even to the core, the farmer cut the freshly harvested ones on the spot for the children to taste—a unique experience only available at the production site. Mr. Hirai said, 'Although Peach Pine is familiar, few island children have had the chance to experience harvesting or eating it whole on the spot. I would be happy if this opportunity makes them know more about it.' In this way, an opportunity was provided for local students, farmers, and hotel staff to interact directly.
### Changes in Students' Awareness
The participating students shared their impressions: 'Through the pine learning, I was able to know about Peach Pine. I want to continue eating delicious Peach Pine,' and 'I learned for the first time that pineapples bloom from the bottom and ripen from the bottom up.' In addition to new realizations about local specialties, pride and love were born.
### Iriomote Island Tropical Fruit Production Association
A group formed by tropical fruit farmers in the western district of Iriomote Island. They are actively incorporating new ideas and working to solve regional issues through agriculture. They aim to build a sustainable agricultural cycle on the island, such as creating compost using materials available on the island and establishing a system for producing delicious fruits using organic fertilizers.
### Reference: 'Spring Peach Pine Festival'
Our hotel holds the 'Spring Peach Pine Festival' every year with the cooperation of local farmers, and this year marks its 6th year. During the period, guests can enjoy 'Peach Pine' with its faint peach aroma at the hotel. At a special stage, the 'Peach Pine SHOW' is held where farmers talk directly about the features and history. In the 'Peach Pine Harvesting Experience,' guests can actually harvest pineapples using a sickle in the field. Tourists can fully enjoy the deliciousness while interacting directly with the farmers.