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【Miyake Village】Walking Related Projects 【Miyake Village】Walking Related Projects

三宅村事業イメージ図
Miyake Village

Walking Map Preparation and Application Project

～ Preparation of the Miyake-jima Island Walking Map and Miyake-jima Island Walking ～

Project Overview (Background & Purpose)

In Miyake Village, the percentage of the persons diagnosed with metabolic syndrome among those who had a special medical checkup in fiscal 2016 was 34.1%, which was higher than the national average of 26.5%. Since metabolic syndrome can be improved with proper exercises and diets, we operate programs to encourage people to continuingly have exercises by using a walking map.
In addition, the population aging rate in Miyake Village is as high as about 40%. To extend the healthy life expectancy of elderly people, it is necessary to prevent dementia and loss of muscle strength. Walking is also expected to help prevent the need for nursing care.
In the village, people usually use car or bicycle and many people do not have a habit of walking. Therefore, we will prepare a walking map in consideration of made up health and application project that use the map in order to encourage the village people to walk more and increase physical activities in everyday life.

Details of Project

Walking Map Preparation and Application Project
Preparation of the Miyake-jima Island Walking Map
・A portable pocket-size map was prepared.
・The map was prepared in cooperation with the Miyake-jima Island Tourist Association.
・It was distributed to all households in the village (approximately 1,600 households).
Organization of Miyake-jima Island Walking
■ Event Overview
・Participants are the residents of Miyake Village.
・They can choose the 3-km course or 6-km course depending on their conditions.
・Professional instructors from Japan Walking Association visit the island on the day of the event to give a lesson on the effects of walking and the ideal posture and stride length for efficient walking.
・The "Finisher Card" and participation prize are awarded to the finishers.
・A novelty item is distributed to those who have completed all of the courses on the walking map.

■ Held a total of two times in fiscal 2019.
Note: Check the official Miyake Village website or the website of the Miyakejima Tourist Association for information on future events.
Organization of Miyake Island Photo Walk
■ Event overview
・Held in fiscal 2020 in place of the Miyake Island Walking event, which was canceled in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
・Open to Miyake Village residents.
・Walk to and take selfies at designated checkpoints on the walking map.
・Four or more checkpoint photos can be exchanged for a novelty prize.
*The programs are subject to change. For details, see the webpage of Miyake-mura Village on its programs mentioned at bottom of this page and other sources.

Reviews of Participants

Miyake-jima Island Walking

  • I participated in the event with my children. The weather was nice and refreshing and my children also walked until the goal. It was good to join the event and have an exercise especially for the children, who are lazy at home.
  • The event made me aware of the lack of daily exercises and gave me a good opportunity to start exercises. I hope that the event is continuously organized because I can walk more when walking with other people.
  • It was easier to walk 6 km than expected. I am thinking of walking the same distance on the weekend if the weather is fine.
  • I hope that the event is organized again because I cannot have the habit of walking if I walk alone. I enjoyed walking in the event very much.

Miyake Island Photo Walk

  • I've lived here for over 10 years but this is the first time I went.
  • I saw a whale.
  • I never even noticed it, even when I was nearby.
  • I'm from here, but I haven't gone on a walk in a long time.
  • It was a very interesting walk; the scenery along the Tsubota coast course was good, and there were things in Okubo-hama beach that I sort of knew and yet didn't know.
  • Looking out over the ocean was invigorating!
  • The views were great, and the hills were tougher than I expected!

Comments from the Persons in Charge (challenges, inventive points and future plan)

Miyake-jima Island Walking

  • Most people on Miyake Island use car unlike those in the Tokyo metropolitan area, who regularly travel by walking. As people on the island are kind, they offer a ride when they find a person walking. They also care about who is walking. So, some walkers prefer a course where others do not notice them. I hope that the walking map and the Miyake-jima Island Walking event help people walk without being bothered by others. As sightseeing spots are also included in the course, I expect that residents of the island, as well as tourists, can find new charms of the island by walking the areas other than their neighborhood.
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