Connecting Brittany, France, and Tango, Kyoto: An International Exchange Project on Ocean Wisdom (Part 3)
Day 3: Unearthing Tango’s Coastal Treasures
June 17, 2025
After two days of exploring the sea and its industries, students were invited to step onto land to uncover the natural beauty, ancient history, and environmental efforts that make Tango such a unique coastal region. From rocky cliffs to singing sands, and from salt workshops to beach cleanups, the day was packed with hands-on learning and quiet moments of wonder.
San’in Kaigan Geopark
The morning started with a guided journey through the San’in Kaigan Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark, extending over 120 kilometers and in 3 different prefectures, known for its geological diversity, and rich cultural heritage.
Led by a passionate guide, students walked through the Taisei Kofun Group, ancient burial mounds that offered a window into Japan’s distant past during the Kofun period. From there, the group made their way to Tateiwa Rock formations, carved by nature over thousands of years and rising boldly from the sea. These cliffs were impressive and students could feel the silent stories of volcanic forces, shifting plates, and the deep connection between land and sea.
The singing sand beach
After discovering the Geopark, the students headed to the Singing Sand Museum, a charming and informative space dedicated to this unique natural phenomenon. Inside, they discovered the science behind the “singing”, learning the conditions for sand to make noise linked to the shape of sand grains, their cleanliness, and dryness, all contributing to the sound produced when walking on the beach.
The museum also explored the cultural importance of singing sands in Japan, where such beaches are rare and celebrated as natural treasures. Through exhibits and real sand samples from the beach, students gained a broader perspective on how fragile and special these ecosystems are.
They also learned how environmental factors, from pollution to human activity, can silence the sands, making Kotohiki not just a place of wonder, but a call to protect nature. At Kotohiki beach, everything using fire such as barbecues, fireworks or smoking are prohibited to protect the beach and keep its unique sound.
The visit turned a simple beach walk into a meaningful lesson on environmental balance, conservation, and respect for natural phenomena. After the tour, students had some well-deserved free time to swim, relax, and enjoy the sea.
Beach cleaning, caring for the coastline
The afternoon shifted into action mode. Partnering with the Ashiato, students took part in a Beach Cleaning workshop. With gloves and buckets in hand, they went to Hachohama beach to clean plastic and marine debris, to understand where waste comes from, and how it can be reused or transformed. It was a powerful moment: helping the ocean while seeing the impact of human activity. Then they headed to the Ashiato office where they discovered actions against sea pollution and waste led by Mr. Yasumi. They also took part in sorting waste out and tried out the transformation of waste into objects. Finally they received a present made of waste for their work.
Salt Making Workshop
From there, the group visited the Kotohiki Salt Workshop, where they discovered another form of local tradition: handmade sea salt production. Through a demonstration and a workshop session, students learned how the locals extract salt from seawater using traditional techniques. Each participant created their own small bag of salt to take home, a practical souvenir, but also a symbol of everything they’d learned from the sea.
Ending the day with a courtesy visit to the mayor
To wrap up the day, the group paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Yamazoe of Yosano Town, who welcomed the students and expressed his appreciation for their interest and participation. His studies and life in France enabled him to exchange in French with Lycée Public Maritime du Guilvinec participants. The visit was brief but affirming the strong local support for cultural exchange and environmental education.
This day was about understanding the invisible connections between land, sea, people, and time. From ancient rock formations to modern cleanup efforts, the students walked away with a deeper appreciation for the Tango region and a stronger sense of their role as future caretakers of the ocean and the earth.
Writer: Mathieu Fonseca
Thanks to: ROOTS, Lycée Public Maritime du Guilvinec, Mrs. Hayakawa (coordinator and interpreter)
Special thanks to sponsors: Fondation franco-japonaise Sasakawa (日仏笹川財団), la caisse des péris en mer, Hénaff, Penmarch city, Loctudy city
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