Declaration of the Lake Toya Area Ecomuseum (natural museum)
~ Let us make a natural museum that highlights the area痴 abundant nature, the history of our ancestors and the wonderful land ~
The Lake Toya Area Ecomuseum (natural museum) was planned by the Ecomuseum Concept Formulation Meeting Office of the Laketopia 21 Promotion Council comprised of six municipalities around Lake Toya and other relevant organizations, and was based on a recommendation submitted by the Informal Meeting for Hokkaido痴 Revitalization after the eruption of Mt. Usu in 2000.
The area around Lake Toya has a history and culture that can be traced back to the Jomon era and is blessed with Volcanic Bay, Lake Toya, Mt. Usu and an expanse of verdant land.
The ecomuseum project is an effort to create a more attractive area by rediscovering local resources and utilizing them. We recognize that our duty is to preserve the area痴 world-class resources and the blessings they give us, and introduce them to the world.
We declare that we will create a new Toyako area through the ecomuseum and cooperation between residents and relevant organizations.
We create a local comprehensive learning place through the ecomuseum.
We carry on our symbiosis with volcanoes through the ecomuseum.
We promote regional development with the participation of residents through the ecomuseum.
We promote new interregional cooperation through the ecomuseum.
We promote new industries and tourism through the ecomuseum.
October 26, 2002Laketopia 21 Promotion Council
(Date City, Toyoura Town, Abuta Town, Toya Village, Otaki Village, Sobetsu Town)
Tourism has been drastically changing in Japan.For example, many people prefer individual tours to group travel, and are now more interested in ecotourism and experience-based tours.It is necessary to respond to such changes to revitalize tourism.
The Toyako area already has many unique tourism resources with which to adapt with such changes.We aim to make the area a more attractive tourist resort by promoting the entire resource-rich area as a natural museum.
Local residents can deepen their understanding of the areafs history, nature and culture, and their love for the area, and can spread knowledge of the areafs charms by participating in the development of the ecomuseum.
The Toyako area is a very rare place in the world in that it has a residential area near an active volcano.Remains from the past eruptions represent a history of our symbiosis with Mt.Usu.The preservation and handing down of volcanic remains help promote the education of disaster prevention and reduce the effects of disasters in the future.
The Lake Toya Area Ecomuseum is promoted with the concerted efforts of four municipalities in the Nishi Iburi area.This cooperative framework makes the movement of tourists easy and leads to active exchanges among the municipalities.It is also expected that the development of new attractions in the ecomuseum, such as guided tours, creative activities and outdoor activities, will lead to the promotion of the tourism industry and the creation of new local industries.
