A beach cleanup and mowing event is being organized at Uza Beach in Yomitan Village, Okinawa on May 30, 2026. Free to attend and open to families with children, the event requires no advance registration.
Background
Okinawa's natural coastlines are gradually disappearing due to ongoing development. Beyond marine debris, the unchecked spread of invasive plant species has become a growing threat to coastal ecosystems. At Uza Beach in Yomitan Village — one of the island's few remaining natural shorelines and a known nesting ground for sea turtles — invasive weeds have been slowly encroaching on the white sandy beach.
Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Uza Beach, Yomitan Village (meet near the public restroom) |
| Date & Time | Saturday, May 30, 2026, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM |
| Participation Fee | Free (no registration required, children welcome) |
| What to Bring | Shovels, rakes, and hoes for mowing, work gloves, hat, towel, drinks |
| Organizer / Contact | Chura Mura Okinawa Coastal Conservation: https://www.instagram.com/chura.mura/ |
About the Event
Chura Mura Okinawa Coastal Conservation has been continuously recording and monitoring changes along the coastline. Uza Beach is one of the rare natural beaches remaining on Okinawa's main island — it serves as a home for sea turtles and holds deep meaning for local residents as part of their coastal heritage. Through this combined mowing and beach observation event, the organizers hope to cultivate a community culture of caring for the sea.
The event is timed to coincide with May 30, "Zero Garbage Day," which also marks the opening day of the Ministry of the Environment's "Marine Litter Zero Week." It is an opportunity for the community to take action — restoring the shoreline that past generations worked to protect, and handing it down to the next. Families with children are especially welcome to participate.
