Details of the Initiative
The main theme of this study group is “exploring history through traveling” (which is why the group is called “Reki-Tabi Zemi”), and we conduct research and practice of “dark tourism” from the perspective of history studies. “Dark tourism” is a new tourism concept that means visiting places related to wars or disasters. So far, the group has conducted tours in places related to Japan’s “negative memories”: “Okinawa Dark Tourism” visiting Kaigungou Park (the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters), “Chiyoda City Dark Tourism” visiting the Imperial Palace and Chidorigafuchi area, and “Sarushima Dark Tourism” visiting Yokosuka Port.
Reki-Tabi Zemi’s practice of “dark tourism” is actually related to “sustainable tourism.” Sustainable tourism is the ideal form of tourism in the era of SDGs, with the aim of making the region more attractive as a tourist destination while giving consideration to the local environment and society. Reki-Tabi Zemi’s students make travel plans after learning about past events in the area and the sites of historical remains. Along the way, we also cultivate an attitude of paying respect to the communities and the remains we visit. We plan to continue our journey of discovery and encounters in harmony with the goal of sustainable tourism.
