Entô, an Oki Islands Geobase where you can stay overnight, and the Oki Plaza Hotel, the Oki Gateway, have signed a partnership agreement. Oki Gateway "Oki Plaza Hotel" Signs Collaboration Agreement in the Oki Islands

Oki Plaza Hotel," which has been in business for 50 years and has welcomed many tourists as the "Gateway to Oki" in Oki Island Town, known as Shimago, (Management and operation: Oki Plaza Hotel Corporation; Location: Oki Island Town, Oki County, Shimane Prefecture; President: Renpei Yokochi), located on Nakanojima, one of the three islands in front of the island, (Location: Oki Town, Oki County, Shimane Prefecture; President: Renpei Yokochi) has concluded a collaboration agreement with Entô, a Geopark base accommodation facility located on Nakanoshima Island, one of the three islands in front of Shimane, under the slogan "Value creation possible only on different islands".

The two lodging facilities representing the Oki Islands have launched a groundbreaking collaboration that transcends the boundaries of the islands. They are moving toward tourism innovation for the Oki Islands as a whole.

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■A New Form of Tourism Rooted in the Community

Under the post-Corona situation, the tourism industry in the Oki Islands has remained stagnant. The working-age population has declined significantly due to the falling birthrate, aging population, and exodus of young people from the islands, and the local economy is in a negative spiral. Against this backdrop, the collaboration agreement signed between the two facilities will allow the two lodging facilities on different islands to work together, transcending the barriers between the islands and the government, in order to become the axis for rebuilding the tourism industry of the Oki Islands as a whole. Furthermore, the two facilities will go beyond mere collaboration between hotels and aim to serve as a platform for connecting travelers and residents of the pre-shima and post-shima areas. The two hotels will work together to develop initiatives that draw out the charms of the Oki Islands as a whole, while taking advantage of their respective regional characteristics.

Oki Plaza Hotel, based on the concept of "movement," will provide an emotional and active experience that allows guests to actively experience both the everyday and the extraordinary on the islands as the "gateway to the Oki Islands" with Oki Airport, the town's history as a wind port, and its long-standing ritual customs.

Entô, on the other hand, is based on the concept of "stillness," and centered on Ama-cho, where the slogan "Nothing is left that is not there." With the richly unique nature of the Shimamae Islands surrounding the caldera bay, Entô creates a time of healing and self-reflection where you can return to yourself, without titles or anything else.

A model for utilizing the Geopark that is unique in the world

The uniqueness of this partnership agreement lies in the fact that the two hotels, which are the future of each island, will work together to enhance the value of the region by using the Oki UNESCO World Geopark as a stage. The Oki Geopark is recognized not only for the rarity of its natural topography, but also for the uniqueness of its efforts to utilize the Geopark while building unique relationships and systems on each of the islands.

■New Possibilities for Cross-Island Collaboration

The purpose of this collaboration is to raise the level of the tourism industry in the Oki Islands and to contribute to the enhancement of regional value through cooperation that effectively utilizes the resources of both facilities.

Qualitative Improvement of Tourism Experiences

The Oki Islands have been a place where visitors can experience the islands individually, but by expanding their experiences across the islands, a richer tourism experience will be realized. In addition, the mutual support system for emergencies will allow for flexible response to schedule changes due to weather conditions, allowing visitors to enjoy island excursions with even greater peace of mind.

Revitalization of Local Communities

This collaboration aims to serve as a catalyst for regional revitalization beyond the boundaries of the tourism industry. The enhancement of tourism programs during the winter season will create new tourism demand during the previously off-season and stabilize employment throughout the year. In addition, the exchange of staff between the two facilities will promote the development and retention of young human resources. It will create opportunities for residents of the pre-shima and post-shima areas to rediscover the charms of each other's islands. Using both facilities as a base for exchange, we will deepen understanding of cultures and lifestyles and foster new community ties. This initiative will also lead to the creation of more attractive tourism content.

[Creating a Safe and Secure Community

This collaboration will not only ensure the safety of tourists, but will also contribute to improving the disaster preparedness of the entire region. The enhanced cooperation in disaster prevention between the two regions is expected to build a more resilient regional society.

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Specific measures for innovative inter-island cooperation

1. planning with a common target group in mind in terms of travel

The different features of both facilities will be utilized to provide unique value to travelers seeking special experiences away from their daily routines in the rich natural environment, as well as to experience the local cuisine and culture.

In addition, we will create a deeper Oki experience by combining the contrasting attractions of the "movement" of Oki Plaza Hotel and the "stillness" of Entô, as well as by creating new lodging programs created through collaboration, such as the introduction of common loyalty at both hotels and food collaborations.

2. realization of seamless island-hopping tourism

The new sightseeing style will be established by using both facilities as a starting point to add value to the trip, eliminating the risk and convenience of travel due to the islands being far from each other. The new system will enable a more comfortable, seamless, and flexible stay in Oki, such as flexible check-in and check-out at either facility, and island hopping between Shimamae and Shimago with sunset cruising by chartered boat. 3.

(3) Establishment of an emergency support system to support the peace of mind of tourists

A mutual support system will be established in the event of flight cancellations due to inclement weather or in the event of a disaster. We will support the safe and comfortable stay of tourists by taking advantage of the guest rooms and meal service capabilities of both facilities. We will provide visitors to Oki with a sense of security in knowing that there is a sister hotel on a neighboring island. 4.

4. development of tourism human resources for the future

We have established a training program for staff members of both facilities to learn from each other. We will develop human resources who have a deep understanding of the tourism resources and cultural characteristics of each island and who can provide richer tourism guidance. This initiative will lead to an improvement in the quality of tourism services for Oki as a whole.

■New tourism experiences starting with the arrival of spring

＜March 1-2, 2025: "Without permission! Island Opening

This is a special event to celebrate spring in Oki, which awakens from the silence of winter. In March, when ferries and airplanes return to normal operation, we will celebrate the opening of the Oki Islands.

The Oki Islands will celebrate the arrival of spring with visitors and local residents in cooperation between Shimago and Shimamae.

The collaboration includes

We hope that you will experience the vibrancy of spring in Shimago and the serenity of spring in Shimamae, celebrating the Oki Islands' welcome of spring with sake from the Oki Sake Brewery and representative Oki delicacies such as rock oysters Haruka.

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<March 1, 2025 "With the first foods of the Oki Islands! Celebrating the Opening of the Islands" >.

The "Shimabiraki" party will be held at the "Plaza Hotel" in Shimago with Kagamibiraki (sake barrel breaking) and isobiyaki (rock cooking) at the Oki Sake Brewery "Oki Homare". The event will bring liveliness and joy to the Oki Islands as we celebrate the arrival of spring with the local people.

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<March 2, 2025 "Shimabiraki Local Production for Local Consumption Pairing Dinner with Food and Sake

A dinner featuring a course meal using locally produced and consumed ingredients paired with alcoholic beverages and soft drinks will be served at Entô in front of the island. Enjoy a relaxing time looking out over Caldera Bay as you contemplate the spring.

Click here for reservations

Official Web site: Oki Plaza Hotel

Reservations: https://okiplaza.com/?tripla_booking_widget_open=search

Official website Entô

Application: https://d-reserve.jp/GSEA002F01400/GSEA002A01?hotelCode=0000001085&pl=PL00036634

Without permission! Island Viewing Dedicated Reception Form 3-day/2-night tour of both hotels

Application for 3 days/2 nights: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce4dSvsrRLqPLG-Y64LF1XUIe4Xlrrx_rd4fQbS4KNoumQ1w/viewform?usp=header

In addition to the above, the two museums plan to collaborate on a "Rediscover Oki Tour" in which islanders themselves will rediscover the charms of the Oki Geopark, as well as private island hopping, an all-inclusive tour to experience the essence of Oki through historical and cultural experiences in Shimago and geological and natural experiences in Shimamae, respectively.

■Two key features of Oki tourism

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Entô: A "geopark where you can stay overnight" that is attracting worldwide attention

The world's first "Geohotel" will open in Ama Town in 2021. It features an innovative design that allows visitors to experience the geological formations and landforms of the UNESCO World Geopark through the architecture itself. The hotel will offer a special lodging experience in a spacious space that blends in with nature and allows guests to experience the story of the earth firsthand. (Photo by Kentauros Yasunaga)

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Oki Plaza Hotel: A "pilot for tourism" with 50 years of experience

Located in Oki Island Town near the Oki Islands' Nishigo Port and Oki Airport, the Oki Plaza Hotel has long served as the gateway to the islands. The hotel has a track record of meeting diverse needs, including the operation of Hagoromo, an inn nestled in a fishing village, and the launch of the Hito-Naka and IROIRO brands, which aim to coexist with the local community. As a "gateway," we will play the role of a pilot to guide visitors on their adventures in Oki.

Challenges as a year-round tourist destination

The Oki Islands have long been considered an off-season for tourism during the winter season, but through the collaboration of the two facilities, the Oki Islands as a whole will seek to fill in the gaps and pursue the possibilities of providing the intrinsic value of the islands regardless of weather conditions. Through this, we will create a trip that allows visitors to more deeply experience the changing seasons within Oki, from the opening of the island in spring to the serenity of winter.

Toward a sustainable island for the future

This collaboration is more than just cooperation among lodging facilities; it is the first step toward innovating the tourism model for the Oki Islands as a whole. By combining the world's unprecedented utilization of Geoparks with 50 years of tourism experience, we will show the world how sustainable tourism should be, renewing the starting point without fearing change. From Oki, we will propose a new form of regional tourism.

■Outline of Collaboration

Start : January 2025

Participating facilities: ・Oki Plaza Hotel (Oki Island Town)

　　　　　　Established...50 years ago / Characteristics...Gateway to Oki tourism

　　　　　Entô (Ama Town)

　　　　　　Opening...2021 / Characteristics...The world's first geo-hotel

Company Profile

Company name: Oki Plaza Hotel Co.

Representative ： Representative Director and President, Renpei Yokochi

Location: 11-1 Minato-cho, Oki Island Town, Oki County, Shimane Prefecture, 685-0015

Establishment : October 1970

Business description: Lodging business

URL ： https://okiplazagroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okiplazahotel_group/

For inquiries from customers regarding this matter, please contact

Oki Plaza Hotel

TEL ： 0120-313-397

MAIL： okiplaza@okiplaza.com