From Shibuya to Europe: Amami's Shimauta Culture Exchange Project Supported by NPO ZESDA

From Shibuya to Europe: Amami's Island Songs.

Non-profit organization ZESDA (Representative Director: Daisuke Sakuraba, Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) is supporting a European cultural exchange project by 'simasima,' a restaurant based in Shibuya that promotes Amami culture, as part of the 'Amami Project' to share the value of the Amami region in Kagoshima Prefecture both domestically and internationally.

Based in Shibuya, 'simasima' has launched a project to perform cultural exchange in London, Oxford, and Paris through Amami's Shimauta (island songs) and Kokuto Shochu (brown sugar shochu).

This project aims not only to introduce Amami's traditional culture abroad but also to open new possibilities for Amami culture by singing, talking, and sharing experiences with local people.

Currently, a crowdfunding campaign is underway to cover travel expenses, local activity costs, transportation of instruments and costumes, report events after returning to Japan, and the creation of experience programs for inbound tourists.

Turning Amami culture into an 'experience' connected to the world

Amami's Shimauta is a vocal culture passed down through daily life.

Places of celebration, prayer, and gathering.

Kokuto Shochu is another culture symbolizing Amami. It has breathed within local life not just as a drink, but as a medium to bridge distances between people and spark conversation.

simasima aims to deliver this Amami culture not as a one-way 'tourism resource' or 'traditional performing art,' but as an 'experience' that can be shared with modern cities and people abroad.

Connecting Amami to the world from the city of Shibuya

The unique aspect of simasima is that its base for disseminating Amami culture is not only in Amami but also in 'Shibuya.'

Shibuya is a city where people from all over the world come and go: tourists, youth, music and culture enthusiasts, and those with roots in the region. Because it is a place where various people intersect, it holds the potential to deliver Amami culture in new ways.

simasima has created a place like a 'small island' within Shibuya, creating points of contact with people who do not yet know Amami through Shimauta and Kokuto Shochu.

In this European expedition, they will expand these activities to share Amami culture with people in London, Oxford, and Paris.

By leveraging the encounters and reactions born overseas, they aim to create inbound experience programs in Shibuya after returning, and eventually connect this to increased populations and cultural exchange with Amami.

Bringing Shimauta to London, Oxford, and Paris

In this project, they plan to hold Shimauta performances, workshops, and exchange events in London, Oxford, and Paris.

In London, they plan to interact with the local music and researcher community.

Shimauta is not just for viewing.

It is the 'power of voice' that reaches people's hearts across borders and languages.

The 'passion of human voices' carries culture.

At the heart of this project is the passion to convey Amami culture.

Those who sing Shimauta.

Culture is not preserved only by materials and systems.

simasima's challenge is to not only protect Amami culture but also to grow it into a culture that connects with the world through human voices and experiences.

A new way to deliver regional culture

In recent years, efforts to deliver regional resources to the world have expanded beyond tourism and commodities to cultural experiences and human exchange.

Just as it aligns with the perspective of 'connecting regions with the world' promoted by NPO ZESDA, regional value holds new possibilities when opened to the outside.

Amami's Shimauta and Kokuto Shochu are precious cultures passed down within the region.

simasima's initiative holds great significance as a new form of dissemination that connects regional culture to the future.

Crowdfunding Overview and Use of Funds

Funds raised through this crowdfunding campaign will be used for the cultural exchange project scheduled in London, Oxford, and Paris in June 2026.

Specifically, funds will be allocated for travel and accommodation expenses, intercity travel, transport of instruments, costumes, and equipment, performance and workshop expenses locally, report events after returning, and preparations for 'Shimauta & Kokuto Shochu Experience' programs for international tourists.

- Target amount: 500,000 yen - Returns: Various returns available - Application period: Until June 18, 2026 - Details and application: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/956335/view