Japan US Exchange Day 3: Tokyo to Omuta City

We left the hotel this morning at around 7:30AM  for Omuta City in the Fukuoka Prefecture on the southern island of Japan. We will be in Omuta City and the surrounding area for the next several days visiting schools, world heritage sites, and doing a homestay. Not many tourist  visit Omuta as it is an industrial town so we will be some of the first.

Our path from Tokyo to Saga.

Map showing Omuta City.

Omuta City
Omuta City has a population of about 120,000 people. This industrial area was once home to the Mitsui Miike Coal Mine. Mining in this area began in the Kyoho era in the early 1700’s. The mine was nationalised in 1872 and operated until its closure in 1997. The mine was a major factor in supplying the energy needed for the rapid growth of Japan in the 20th century. When the mine closed there were significant effects on the local economy. Having been here only one day so far it is easy to see many similarities between Omuta City and similar towns in the United States that have been hurt by large industries and corporations moving.

The schools in Omuta City have embraced the idea of Education for Sustainable Development. The entire purpose of ESD is to not create a present world that endangers future generations. All 34 of the schools in Omuta City are UNECSO schools (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The board of education has embraced the idea of teaching students not to create a present that endangers the future.

Hotel vending machines, fresh lettuce or cigarettes...

The Milke Coal Mine Museum