The first fully operational “beach koban” in Japan is open and in full swing in Miyazaki Prefecture as swelling numbers of sun and water worshippers head to the ocean for relief from the summer heat.

The year round lifesaving, tourist information, and beach patrol center went into full operational gear on 10 July in Aoshima in Miyazaki Prefecture to aid in the prevention of water accidents, provide beach security, and protect the environment.

The “beach koban” and patrol station is similar to a traditional Japanese neighborhood police “koban,” or police box, where one can get local information and help in an emergency. The chief difference between the two is that beach and ocean activities are the sole focus of the civilian-run “beach koban.”

This is the first such attempt in the country by a seaside town that relies on visitors to its outdoor ocean facilities.

Aoshima life guards in front of the “beach koban”

The “beach koban” concept was first thought up four years ago as a way to bring together people who live near the sea, come to the sea to play, or do research and educational projects related to the sea.

This cooperation among people who have different purposes for using the coastal areas was seen by local planners as a way to promote a more active economic involvement in the area’s resources.

Japan has benefited a great deal from the sea in various ways and it was felt by establishing a year-round safety system in a coastal area, that this would give people a sense of safety and attract more visitors to take advantage of local facilities, according to one of the people in The Nippon Foundation’s maritime projects group who thought up the “beach koban” concept.

An outrigger is one of the attractions on the Aoshima coastal area

Aoshima Beach is located about 20 minutes drive from Miyazaki Airport in the southeastern part of Miyazaki Prefecture. It is crowded with surfers throughout the year and is well known for its “Giant’s Steps,” a set of staircase like rocks that appear as though they were carved from the beach down to the sea. The Tokyo Giants baseball team also happens to have their spring training camp located near Aoshima.

The Nippon Foundation provided Aoshima with a grant to completely renovate its coastal beach facilties, which led to repairs of an administration building on the beach, new showers and lockers for bathers, wheelchair accessible bathrooms, a first aid center, television monitors, solar energy panels, a rainwater collection tank, kitchen facilities, and a wooden walking deck along the beach.

The final jewel in the plan was the “beach koban” which will be open to care for the safety and security of this coastal area, and it is being run by the Miyazaki Lifesaving Club NPO, the first in the nation to have live-in lifeguards in a coastal facility all year long.

Miyazaki City Tourist Association sees the “beach koban” as a user friendly place to obtain information about the coastal area’s attractions in addition to its roles in safety, education, environmental protection, accident prevention, and security for the beach.

Lifesaving classes being given to children by the “beach koban” lifesavers

The blessing ceremony for the “beach koban” was officially held on 26 June with 70 local officials in attendance. The head priest of the colorful Aoshima Shinto Shine gave his prayers, asking for the success of the koban and its activities.

Local officials consider the “beach koban” as a solid base for the attraction and development of new Miyazaki coastal tourism resources that can be utilized by everyone in the area.

There are plans to expand the “beach koban” concept to Chiba Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture in the near future.