Japan is often regarded as a country not blessed with nature but with more than 80% of mountainous national land and over 34,000km of coastline offers true nature to be enjoyed. Staying at ecolodges is certainly one of the options that responsible tourists can appreciate the countryside, more traditional Japan.

Japan Ecolodge Association (ECOLA) endeavors to disseminate the ecolodge concepts by offering Japan Ecolodge Checklist. We firmly believe that locally operated nature-based lodges of low-impact facility with educational and interpretative programs can lead to help conservation and improve sustainability of surrounding nature while revitalizing local economy.

We have generated 110 item ecolodge checklist to raise the awareness of conservation and sustainability for ecolodge members. Our policy is to gather information and promote sustainable accommodations in Japan under International standards. Performance can be measured by reading our criteria and self-audit results of our members.

Environmental/Ecological Impact

Choosing products of 'green purchasing' and 'energy conservation' can assist minimize the impacts. We encourage members to use them as each product offers detailed information on environmental impacts provided by Green Purchasing Network and The Energy Conservation Center.

Social/Cultural Impact

Each of our member ecolodge is small scale and run by one or a small group of operators. Because of its location and scale, tourists are guaranteed for full attention of the operator(s) to appreciate both social and cultural practice.

Economic Impact

We are a non-governmental and non-profit organization that mutually benefit with local economy where ecolodges are located. We are supported by donations of responsible tourists and companies. All interests accrued on our postal savings will go to International Voluntary Aid.

Innovative Best Practices

Japan seems to focus 'eco' concepts that are more ECOnomical than ECOlogical. This is also applied on 'eco'tours and 'eco'lodges. We promote the true ecolodges under the International standards not to be swayed by economical means. This grass-root activity is slow to blossom but should be carried out with scrutiny.

Our mission can be achieved by:

1. offering workshops on environmentally-friendly accommodations, ecotourism, sustainable town management, etc., promoting and researching in the pertinent field
2. disseminating new and renewable energy, energy conservation, recycling and other pertinent environmentally-friendly technologies
3. benchmarking and accrediting environmentally-friendly accommodation facilities
4. establishing national and international network and data collection pertinent to 1,2,and 3
5. offering consultations on institutions and tourism indusrty pertinent to 1,2, and 3

Executive Director Masaru Takayama	13 years of residence outside Japan and knowlege of energy conservation and green building materials. Handles international and national networking. The founder of ECOLA and a board member of The International Ecotourism Society. Based in Kyoto and Awaji Island.
Deputy Executive Director Yasuhiko Ohba	Energy conservation specialist on ESCO projects. CEO of I-bmss (Integrated Building Management System & Service) based in Mishima city, Shizuoka.
Auditor Akashi Yasuhiro	Auditor by profession at I-bmss based in Mishima city, Shizuoka.
Board Member Kimio Kanda	Professional photographer, travelled to Madagascar and other African countries and Costa Rican for years. Conducts resarch on endangered species with environmental ministry, help eradicate invasive species. Currently resides in Yanbaru forest in Northern Okinawa. A renowned birder.
Board Member Masanori Murata	IT guru tries to make contributions to sustainable society. Website, programming, other vital IT system integrator. Dreams on taking a long vacation in ecolodges. Based on-line.
Board Member Nozomu Takigawa	President of Adventure Vacations Network that streches its membershiip nationwide from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Based in Chiba and elsewhere.
Board Member Gakuji Fukatsu	Green Purchase Network, eco-challenge (sustainable hotels and ryokans) officer, guideline specialist. Based in Tokyo.
Board Member Koh Fujiyama	Web-based Geographical Information System specialist. Shimane Prefectural Chusankan-Chiiki Research Center officer based in Shimane.
Board Member Masayuki Yomo	Planning manager of PICA based in Yamanashi. Sustainable cottage, campsites, education program are his fortes.
International Advisor Hitesh Mehta	Ecolodge guru and landscape architect based in Florida. A founder of Ecotourism Society of Kenya (ESOK) and a board member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). Main author of International Ecolodge Guidelies.

Japan Ecolodge Association

Ohfukan 5F, 400 GojoKarasuma-cho, Shomogyo-ku, Kyoto 6008418 JAPAN

TEL:+81-(0)75-344-5254(from 9-17 M-F observe our time zone GMT+9)

FAX:+81-(0)75-344-0518