#Japan #Narashino #Environmental Awareness #Yatsu Wetlands #Nature Festival

Yatsu Wetlands Day Festival 2025

On June 7 and 8, 2025, the Yatsu Wetlands Day Festival will be held at the Yatsu Wetland Nature Observation Center in Narashino City, Chiba Prefecture. This special event celebrates the Yatsu Wetlands, which is recognized as a Ramsar site for its vital ecological functions, such as providing habitat for migratory birds and purifying water. Access to this usually restricted area will be granted to visitors through prior registration.

The festival commemorates the day when Yatsu Wetlands was designated as a Ramsar site on June 10, 1993, and has been celebrated annually since 1997. The event will feature free admission to the center and various activities, including workshops conducted by junior rangers, educational displays, regional food stalls, and a variety of engaging programs designed to immerse participants in the natural environment of Yatsu Wetlands.

Event Highlights

Date and Time: June 7-8, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Location: Yatsu Wetland Nature Observation Center and the front plaza.
Admission: Free for the festival days, as opposed to the regular fee (450 JPY for adults aged 19 and older).
Limited Edition Pins: The first 200 visitors each day will receive commemorative badges featuring popular mascots, including Narashido and Chiba-kun, the official characters of Narashino City and Chiba Prefecture.

Special Programs

Keynote Speech on Climate Change: Renowned speaker Kazunari Yoshimura, an expert on water issues and former environment adviser at the UN headquarters in New York, will discuss the impacts of climate change on wetland ecosystems during a free lecture aimed at junior high school students and above.

Microplastic Awareness Program: Engage in a fun activity focusing on microplastics, where participants can use tweezers to collect these tiny pieces of plastic that pollute the wetland ecosystem, raising awareness about marine debris and its effects on wildlife. This program is suitable for individuals of all ages.

Local Craft Beer and Honey: The staff at the center will showcase locally made craft beers brewed with honey harvested from the wetland area. Join us for tasting sessions featuring this unique beverage, highlighting the relationship between local produce and environmental conservation.

How to Get There

Public Transport: The center is accessible via a 20-minute walk from Shin-Narashino Station (JR Keiyo Line) or 30 minutes from Yatsu Station (Keisei Line). For those coming by bus, connections from Tsudanuma Station are available.
Parking: Parking is limited, and attendees are encouraged to use public transportation due to expected high attendance during the festival.

Why You Should Attend

The Yatsu Wetlands Day Festival is a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature, learn about environmental conservation, and contribute to preserving this unique ecosystem. Through various activities, attendees can experience firsthand the wonders of Yatsu Wetlands and its significance to both local wildlife and the broader environmental landscape.

Don’t miss out on this unique event! For more details, visit the official website of the Yatsu Wetland Nature Observation Center. Mark your calendars for a weekend full of fun, learning, and appreciation for one of Tokyo Bay's natural treasures.