NPO Suma UBP to Host "Universal Beach 2026" in Ishigaki Island, Promoting Barrier-Free Ocean Access for All

The NPO Suma Universal Beach Project (Suma UBP), which aims to create beaches that everyone, with or without disabilities, can enjoy together, will hold a universal beach experience event on June 27 (Sat) and 28 (Sun) at Painuhama Beach in Ishigaki Island. The event will feature the installation of beach mats and the use of water-land amphibious wheelchairs to make the ocean barrier-free and realize a universal beach. 【Thoughts from the Project Members】 ■NPO Suma Universal Beach Project The wave of universal beaches is spreading across the country... By continuing our efforts, we build partnerships with government and private companies, and our community of supporters grows. This year marks the 4th Ishigaki UBP. Let's spread this positive wave from Ishigaki Island to the rest of the country together! (Representative, Kido) ■Ishigaki City Disability Welfare Division We want everyone who lives on and visits Ishigaki Island to enjoy this blue sea. There are many ways to enjoy Ishigaki Universal Beach 2026. Please come and join us. ■Ishigaki Island Colorful, Mr. Shimauchi We are delighted to hold the 4th Ishigaki Universal Beach 2026 event. Let's all aim for a Universal Island Ishigaki with lots of smiles and fun! 【Event Overview】 ■Workshop Name: Ishigaki Universal Beach Project 2026 Workshop in Painuhama Beach Host: NPO Suma Universal Beach Project Supervisor: Ishigaki City Disability Welfare Division Cooperation: Ishigaki Island Colorful, Yaeyama Lifesaving Club, Yaeyama SUP Association, Ishigaki City Association for the Physically Challenged, Self-Reliance Center Minamijyujisei, Goya Company, Lekio Gores, Will Visiting Nurse Station Painushima Ishigaki, HELLY HANSEN Date: June 27, 2026 (Sat) 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM *Will proceed in rain, cancelled in severe weather. *Cancellation notices will be sent via the city's LINE account. Location: Painuhama Beach, Ishigaki Island Participants: 20 people Fee: Free Target: People interested in supporting disabled individuals in the water *Limited to 20 people What to bring: Clothes you can get wet in (you will enter the sea), a change of clothes, sandals (marine boots are also acceptable), rubber-coated work gloves, water, towel. Please also take measures against sunburn and heat. No items will be lent out for the activity. ・There will be practical training for entering the water. *Please let us know if you cannot enter the water. ・Please manage your own belongings. 【Contact】 tel: 090-6148-7213 (9 AM - 6 PM) mail: bp.isg.info@gmail.com (Contact) Ishigaki Island Colorful, Ishida Please apply for the workshop or as a volunteer for the experience event via the link below. https://forms.gle/cBEXszgpSuLEgzK36 We are also recruiting volunteer staff for the following experience event. ■Experience Event Name: Ishigaki Universal Beach Project 2026 in Painuhama Beach Host: NPO Suma Universal Beach Project Supervisor: Ishigaki City Disability Welfare Division Cooperation: Ishigaki Island Colorful, Yaeyama Lifesaving Club, Yaeyama SUP Association, Ishigaki City Association for the Physically Challenged, Self-Reliance Center Minamijyujisei, Goya Company, Lekio Gores, Will Visiting Nurse Station Painushima Ishigaki, HELLY HANSEN Dates: June 27, 2026 (Sat) 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Pre-consultation slots) *Will proceed in rain, cancelled in severe weather. June 28, 2026 (Sun) 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM *Will proceed in rain, cancelled in severe weather. *Cancellation notices will be sent via the city's LINE account. Location: Painuhama Beach, Ishigaki Island Participants: Approx. 4 groups on Saturday, 8 groups on Sunday *Priority for applicants, but non-applicants may be able to participate. Fee: Free Target: People with disabilities, those who need assistance to go to the beach. 【Contact】 tel: 090-6148-7213 (9 AM - 6 PM) mail: bp.isg.info@gmail.com (Contact) Ishigaki Island Colorful, Ishida Please apply to participate via the link below. https://forms.gle/EGpnw6JBGnWVnweD9 =========================== ＜Corporate Profile＞ Corporation Name: NPO Suma Universal Beach Project Location: Dolf 21-102, 1-14-10 Komagabayashicho, Nagata-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Representative: Shunsuke Kido Established: November 2, 2017 URL: https://sumauniversalbeach.com/ Business Activities: With the motto "Turning 'I can't' into 'I can!'," we are engaged in activities to promote universally designed beaches that everyone can enjoy, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and small children. Since FY2021, our activities have been featured in junior high school civics textbooks under the title "People Aiming for a Sustainable Future" as an advanced example of achieving SDGs. ＜Major Awards＞ ・Blue Flag Best Practice Award, World 2nd Place (FY2023) ・Japan Tourism Agency Blue Flag Certification Case (FY2022, FY2023) ・Featured in Kyoiku Shuppan Junior High School Civics Textbook (FY2021) ・Japan Tourism Agency Advanced Case for Realizing Sustainable Tourism (FY2020) ・IAUD International Universal Design Gold Award (2019) ・Hyogo Universal Society Creation Award (2018) ＜Contact＞ Suma Universal Beach Project PR Office Secretary-General: Shogo Tsuchihara Via form on HP: https://sumauniversalbeach.com/ TEL: 080-3782-4405 e-mail: sumauniversalbeach@gmail.com