2026.02.27

[Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa] Marine plastic waste turns into learning! "Kaleidoscope making" experience from Nanki Kumano Geopark will be held only for one day at the hotel

Upcycle of drifting plastic waste. Experience program for families who think about the environment of the sea while playing Saturday, March 28, 2026 16:00-18:00 / limited 20 pieces / free participation

Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort hotel located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean (Kushimoto-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture / General Manager: Kazunori Tanaka) will hold an experience program for making kaleidoscopes by upcycleing marine plastic waste, held as an event at the Nanki Kumano Geopark Center.

This experience will be held as a free activity for guests. The venue will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis from 16:00 to 18:00 without advance reservation. The Geopark staff will respond and will end as soon as the limited 20 pieces are gone.

Marine plastic waste is reborn as a “work”! Upcycle Experience

This program cleans and processes marine plastic waste such as plastic bottles collected on the coast and uses it as a material for kaleidoscopes. Participants will create only one original kaleidoscope in the world, combining plastic fragments of different colors and shapes.

The production time is about 20 to 30 minutes. Because we use safely processed materials, even small children can participate with peace of mind. When you look into the completed kaleidoscope, a piece of plastic that once drifted in the sea receives light and draws a beautiful pattern. You can experience the moment when discarded things are reborn into “work”.

Background of the project

At present, it is said that about 8 million tons of plastic waste is flowing into the sea every year around the world, and if this situation continues, the amount of plastic floating in the sea may exceed the amount of fish in 2050. It is said that (*) Although many guests with family members visit the hotel, even if they have the opportunity to experience nature while traveling, there are limited opportunities to learn about the environmental issues behind them. "Can you feel environmental issues as your own experience rather than distant stories in NEWS?" With that in mind, we planned this experience as a "free learning opportunity" where you can easily participate.

Located at the southernmost tip of Honshu and overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean up close, Kushimotocho aims to create “awareness” that brings back memories of travel by providing a place where you can experience environmental issues while staying at a hotel.
（*） Reference: WWF Japan
https://www.wwf.or.jp/activities/basicinfo/3776.html

Flow of the day

１．Know the current state of the sea

Before production, geopark staff will explain the problem of marine plastic waste. We will convey the connection between the sea and our lives in an easy-to-understand manner while talking about the amount of garbage generated in the world and the impact on the sea.

２．Experience of turning sea garbage into “materials” (production experience)

Next, we will work on making kaleidoscopes using safely processed marine plastic materials. Participants will first draw a picture of the sea on the outside of the cylinder, and then finish the interior by combining plastic pieces of different colors and shapes.
The production time is about 20 to 30 minutes. The geopark staff will support you.

３．Review and Sharing

After completion, we will give you time to share your impressions while peeking into the kaleidoscope. By expressing what you felt through the production experience in words, it will not only lead to a work experience, but also an opportunity to think about environmental issues.

Outline of “Making Kaleidoscopes with Marine Plastic Waste”
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time:　16:00～18:00
Location:　Hotel 1st floor lobby
Target:　Guests (Elementary school age or younger, accompanied by a guardian)
Participation fee: Free
Capacity:　Limited to 20 pieces (finished as soon as it runs out)
Time required: About 20 to 30 minutes
Method of acceptance: No advance reservation, first-come, first-served basis
Cooperation:　Nanki Kumano Geopark Center
Details: https://mercure-wakayamakushimoto-resortandspa.jp/plan/mangekyo/

What is Nanki Kumano Geopark?

Nanki Kumano Geopark is located in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula, the southernmost tip of Honshu, and covers Shingu City, Shirahama Town, Kamitomida Town, Susami Town, Nachikatsuuracho, Taijicho, Kozagawacho, Kitayama Village, Kushimotocho Town, and Totsugawa Village, Nara Prefecture. It refers to an area that spans 10 municipalities. The three types of earth created with the sinking of the plate, the unique landscape created by them, the wide variety of flora and fauna brought by the warm and humid climate, and the Kumano religion and raft flow born from it, etc. It is an area where you can experience culture.
Nanki Kumano Geopark official website: https://nankikumanogeo.jp/

All-inclusive "Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa"

Located on the hill of Kushimoto, the southernmost tip of Honshu, rich in nature, and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You can enjoy the magnificent sea expression along with the scenery of the scenic spot and natural monument "Hashikui-iwa Rock" that spreads offshore. From the hot spring open-air bath, you can see the morning sun and the starry sky, forget the time, and spend a pleasant time. In addition to breakfast buffet-style meals, drinks containing alcohol at dinner and lounge are included in the room rate and can be enjoyed freely during your stay. In the lounge, there are also sweets that are related to the local area. In addition, sporting events taking advantage of the warm climate are actively held at the town-run general ground adjacent to the hotel. Malin activities where you can experience the nature of Kushimoto, such as diving, kayaking and fishing, are also popular areas.

[Location] 1184-10, Kushimotocho Sangodai, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama 649-3510, Japan
【TEL】 03-6627-4730 (Reservation Center)
[Access] About 5 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR Kushimoto Station, about 15 minutes on foot
[Official Website] https://mercure-wakayamakushimoto-resortandspa.jp/