About us

In order to pass on the rich nature of the sea and land of the Oki Islands to the next generation, we are working together to protect that nature and create a prosperous local economy.

Creating the Future of the Islands

On April 1, 2022, the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark Promotion Committee and the Oki Islands Tourism Association merged to establish a Destination Marketing/Management Organization called "Oki Islands Geopark Management Bureau." By merging the two region-wide organizations, our goal is to promote tourism based on the geopark concept and carry out more efficient management. While continuing to play a role in the development and promotion of the three areas of environment, education, and tourism that the two organizations have been responsible for up to now, the new organization will actively conduct projects that connect these three areas. Through this, the DMO aims to create an island future that benefits all three areas—society, economy, and environment.

Our Vision and Mission

Vision

An Oki Islands where the local residents comprehend the value of the geological, biological, and cultural diversity, and pass it on to others, and the region is economically plentiful.

Mission

Local people work together as one through education, conservation, and tourism, striving toward developing a sustainable region, and consequently contributing to the sustainable development of Earth as a whole.

The Oki Islands DMO...

...carries out projects in environment, education, and tourism sectors in order to realize a better society, economy, and environment.

Structure of the Oki Islands Geopark Management Bureau

General Assembly

Administration, Municipal Councils, Leaders of Private Organizations, etc.

Board of Directors

Mayor and Superintendent of Education from Each Municipality

Supervisors

2 Representatives of the Member Organizations

Observers

Superintendent of Education from Each Municipality, Oki Education Office Director

Project Decisions

Geopark Management Office

Director, Vice-director, Special Appointive Officer (Section Head)

General Affairs Group Leader, Education and Environment Group Leader, Marketing Group Leader

※Advisors: Shimane University, Researchers, Geotechnical Consultants Association

Project Planning

Regional Development Council

Tourism Working Group, Education and Environment Working Group

Observers

Local Municipalities

Overall Strategy, Project Progress Management

Local Community

Roles

Regional Development Council

  • Project planning, annual KPI setting/progress management, budget proposals review, etc.

Education and Environment Working Group

  • Promotion of school education and social education
    (Children's exchange activities, community center activities, etc.)

  • Creation of educational travel content

  • Survey, research, conservation, and protection activities for ecosystems, history, culture, etc.

  • Development of guidance facilities, etc.

Tourism Working Group

  • Development of tourism strategy

  • Seasonal measures to attract tourists to the islands

  • Promotion and communications

  • Content creation

  • PR event planning, etc.

  • Sharing of information between the 4 municipalities

  • Considering key measures such as coupon measures, guide utilization, branding, and inbound tourism support, etc.

Member Organizations

We currently have 52 member organizations, including related departments in Shimane Prefectural Government, Ama Town, Nishinoshima Town, Chibu Village, and Okinoshima Town.

Related Departments of Shimane Prefectural Government Department of Environment and Civic Affairs, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Oki Branch Office, Shimane Prefectural Oki Education Office
Economic Sector Okinoshima Town Commerce and Industry Association / Nishinoshima Town Commerce and Industry Association / Oki-kuni Region Commerce and Industry Association / JA Shimane Prefecture Oki Region Agricultural Cooperative / JA Shimane Prefecture Oki Dōzen Region Agricultural Cooperative / Shimane Prefecture Oki Region Construction Association (GIA) / Oki Dōgo Forestry Cooperative / Oki Dōzen Forestry Cooperative / JF Shimane Fisheries Cooperative Association Saigo Branch / Ama Town Fisheries Cooperative Association
Tourism Sector Okinoshima Tourism Association (GIA) / Nishinoshima Tourism Association (GIA) / Ama Town Tourism Association (GIA) / Chiburijima Tourism Association / Ichibata Travel Service Oki Sales Branch, Ltd. / San'in Tourism Development, Ltd. / NPO Oki Shizenmura / Oki Geopark Tour Desk (GIA) / Okinoshima Town Hotel and Ryokan Association
Education Sector Shimane Prefectural Oki High School, Shimane Prefectural Oki Fisheries High School, Shimane Prefectural Oki-Dozen Senior High School, Shimane Prefectural Oki Special Needs School, Oki Primary and Middle Schools Principals' Association
Other Organizations Oki Shuzo Sake Brewery, Ltd. / Oki Youth Association / Chugoku Electric Power Transmission & Distribution, Oki Network Center / Maekawa Shokai, Ltd. / Okabe, Ltd. Marine Division / will sanin Oki Office, Ltd. / Midori-no-konbinato Promotion Committee

Partnership Agreement

Agreement Overview

  1. Developing the tourism in the Oki Islands to a global level, and matters related to improving the brand power of the geopark
  2. Matters related to regional revitalization and promotion of tourism by attracting tourists from Japan and overseas
  3. Matters related to promoting the development of the region as an advanced and sustainable tourism destination
  4. Deployment and development of human resources through public-private exchanges with people necessary to achieve the above goals

Specific Projects Implemented Through the Partnership

  • Content development through refinement of tourism content that contributes to achieving the goals of the regional tourism plan
  • Developing a welcoming environment that matches the concept of the region, such as training local guides
  • Creating a one-stop service point for visitors
  • Other initiatives that contribute to regional revitalization

Organization Overview

Name Oki Islands Geopark Management Bureau, General Incorporated Association
Established 1 April 2022
Business Details
  1. Coordination of organizations involved in the promotion of the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark
  2. Public awareness, education and conservation related to the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark
  3. Promotion of industry through tourism based on the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark
  4. Matters related to cooperation with related projects conducted by other organizations
  5. Other projects necessary to achieve the mission of the organization
Address 61 Menukinoyon, Nakamachi, Okinoshima-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane-ken 685-0013, JAPAN
TEL +81-8512-2-1577, +81-8512-3-1321 (General Affairs)
FAX +81-8512-2-1406, +81-8512-3-1322 (General Affairs)
Email info@oki-geopark.jp
Other Offices Geopark Entô Office
1375-1 Fukui, Ama-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane-ken 684-0404, JAPAN

Our History

June 2009 Unincorporated Organization Established: Oki Islands Geopark Promotion Committee
September 2013 Designation as a Global Geopark
2018–2019 Process of Gaining Legal Entity Begins
April 2020 Transition to a General Incorporated Association
November 2021 Registration as a Destination Management Organization (DMO)
April 2022 Merger with Oki Islands Tourism Association
Renamed to Oki Islands Geopark Management Bureau

Oki Islands Geopark Management Bureau Basic Plan

The Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark Promotion Committee created the "Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark Basic Plan" in 2016 in order to realize the sustainable development of the Oki Islands.
We will continue implementing this plan for the further development of the Oki Islands.