Environmental initiatives launched in Kyoto and Osaka

The Kyoto Ecology Center in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, is recruiting 40 volunteers, known as ‘Ecomates,’ to assist with visitor guidance and environmental activities. The program includes training for participants.

In Osaka, the ‘Cool & Green OSAKA Student Co-creation Project’ has commenced. This initiative, a collaboration between the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, involves 48 university students. Over a five-month period, students will analyze environmental data such as temperature, humidity, and light levels alongside subjective experiences of comfort. The project aims to discover new ways to enjoy the Umeda area in response to climate change. The findings will be compiled into a guidebook scheduled for publication in April 2027, focusing on how to navigate the city comfortably using green spaces and urban design.