[Matsuyama, Ehime] 3rd Entertainment-Style Beach Clean-Up Event: 'Clean Up Sacred Site Umezu-ji!' Announced

Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is currently attracting domestic and international attention, particularly on social media, for the ongoing 'Mika Ninagawa with EiM × Dogo Onsen DOGO ART' exhibition. Building on its rich tourism content that integrates regional culture, Matsuyama City will once again host the 'entertainment-style volunteer event' beach clean-up, 'Clean Up Sacred Site Umezu-ji!'. This event started in March last year as a fan exchange gathering for the animated movie 'Ganbare Ikimasshoi.' Set at Umezu-ji, which has been selected as one of the '88 Japanese Anime Pilgrimage Sites' for two consecutive years (2025 and 2026), this event is an entertainment-style volunteer initiative where local residents and fans work together to protect the environment. To preserve the beautiful scenery of Umezu-ji for the future, fans and local residents participate in beach clean-ups together. Furthermore, participants can learn about the marine environment of the Seto Inland Sea and issues regarding marine plastic waste in a fun way through environmental-themed comedy acts and quizzes. For the 3rd event, the side programs are scaling up. In addition to the popular 'orange juice from a tap,' new experiential events and special guest appearances are currently being arranged. Anyone is welcome to join, including anime fans, those unfamiliar with the work, sea lovers, and people who simply enjoy local events. This new-style beach clean-up allows participants to enjoy music and interaction with the Seto Inland Sea at dusk as the backdrop at Umezu-ji, an 'emotional' coastal spot popular among youth in Japan and South Korea. Before or after the event, visitors can also enjoy Matsuyama's unique culture, such as art experiences at Dogo Onsen, retro streetcars, and boutique shopping in the Mitsuhama area. Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026, starting at 17:30 *Proceeds in light rain. Postponed to July 19 (Sun) in case of severe weather. Venue: Umezu-ji Beach (Address: 1329 Umezu-ji-machi, Matsuyama City, Ehime) 15:30 Side event booths open (details being adjusted) 17:30 Opening ceremony 18:00 Beach cleaning activity (scheduled end 18:40) 18:50 Novelty gift presentation 20:00 Side events end No registration required (First 150 online pre-registrants receive novelty gifts) Participation fee: Free What to bring: Please bring your own work gloves and a personal bottle.