Situated in Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture, almost in the middle of Japan, Wanpaku Crew supports programs for learning about nature for elementary and middle school students around the country.
Situated in Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture, almost in the middle of Japan, Wanpaku Crew supports programs for learning about nature for elementary and middle school students around the country.

Situated in Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture, almost in the middle of Japan, Wanpaku Crew supports programs for learning about nature for elementary and middle school students around the country.

What is
the Wakasa Mikata Five Lakes Wanpaku Crew?

Freshly harvested vegetables are so sweet!! So tasty!!
Such fresh sashimi! I was able to eat raw fish for the first time in my life!

Wanpaku Crew is a program that lets you experience nature to your heart’s content in Wakasa, a rural area that boasts everything the countryside has to offer—seas, lakes, rivers, villages, and mountains.
We’ll do everything in our power to help with school trips and long-term stay-based activities for children!

This is why Wanpaku Crew’s so amazing!

This is the only place with a big set net fishing boat for hands-on learning!
Head out to fish in the Wakasa-maru bright and early!!

Trying your hand at transplanting rice is a great way to really get in touch with the treasures of rural villages!

Head out on a fishing boat with the fishermen and try your hands at feeding farmed fish!
You can also feed the seagulls!

Live with Uncle and Aunty in the lodge!
Lots and lots of Wakasa dishes to try!

Super-fresh, firm sashimi!!

More than two decades of experience

Back in 1990, the Wakasa-Mikatagoko Tourism Association partnered with a middle school in Gifu Prefecture to host a hands-on fishing experience class in a Wakasa fishing village. Over the next two decades, we have welcomed many elementary and secondary school students for training camps, nature experience classes, and school trips.
These initiatives have been highly praised, and we have even won the Green Tourism Award. Wakasa Mikata Five Lakes Wanpaku Crew is assisted by the National Wakasawan Youth Outdoor Learning Center, the Fukui Coastal Nature Center, Reinan Ranch, Rifoumu Wakasa, the Hasu Project Promotion Committee, and others.

Track record for 2018

We have hosted some 4,000 children from Fukui, Gifu, Aichi, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and even as far away as Taiwan.

Awards

  • 2008: All Right! Nippon Prize (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
  • 2009: Green Tourism Award (Merit Award) (Mainichi Shimbun)
  • 2010: All Right! Nippon Prize (Selection Committee Chairman’s Award) (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
  • 2010: Ecotourism Award (Special Award) (Ministry of the Environment)
  • 2011: JTB Interchange Cultural Award (First Prize) (JTB)
  • 2012: Green Tourism Award (Mainichi Shimbun)

Introducing Our Staff

Energetic, fun-loving staff, experts in both the natural environment of Wakasa Mikata Five Lakes and in safety management, are here to help you.

The children are the stars ♪ Our staff, who all love the Wakasa Mikata Five Lakes, go all out to enthusiastically support everything from creating hands-on programs to pre- and post-class study, and safety management on the day, to ensure that every child has the time of their life.

Yoshimitsu TAKAGI

Wakasa-Mikatagoko Tourism Association

Green Tourism Instructor, MFA (first aid/resuscitation methods)

Welcome to Wakasa ♪ I’m looking forward to letting you see how much fun it is to live with people full of humanity! Come and get to know us!! Getting to know other people is such fun ☆

Katsumi SUZUKI

Wakasa-Mikatagoko Tourism Association

Basic Life-Saving Certification, Travel Service Representative

We’ve got mountains, we’ve got rias coasts, we’ve got lake, we’ve got rural landscapes, we’ve got history—we’ve got it all!
Why not stay here to Wakasa and experience the life of the sea and the farm? Our energetic staff are here for you ♪

Asaka HASHIMOTO

Wakasa-Mikatagoko Tourism Association

Basic Life-Saving Certification

I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure everyone has a thrilling, fun time here at Wakasa.
I know basic English, Spanish, and Cantonese, so feel free to come and chat!

Eri YASHIRO

Kaminaka Nogakusha

CONE Leader (http://cone.jp/about), Instructor for Long-Term Elementary School Nature Experience Activities, Cook, MFA (first aid/resuscitation methods)

I’ll teach you all about why rural villages are so cool, and the fun of farming and getting in touch with nature! I’ll teach you all about the wonders of Wakasa! Come and see and try it for yourself! We’re looking forward to welcoming you.

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