I visited the Disaster Prevention Festival (Sunagawa Retarding Basin) held in Sunagawa City on Sunday, August 31.
The event featured many hands-on and family-friendly activities that combined learning and fun, including a talk by weather forecaster Takako Sugai, a simulated heavy rainfall experience, a festival plaza, and canoeing activities. It was an enjoyable opportunity to learn about disaster preparedness while experiencing the site in an engaging way, suitable for both adults and children.
We also created a short video (54 seconds) showcasing the simulated rainfall experience, which gives a vivid sense of what heavy rain feels like and why disaster preparedness is so important
Video: Simulated Rainfall Experience – August 31, 2025 Kawatabi Hokkaido YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTBho9V2uQA
At the disaster prevention lecture, Takako Sugai, a weather forecaster and certified disaster prevention specialist, gave a talk that attracted a large audience.
Participants learned about the latest meteorological topics, including the abnormal weather observed this summer, linear rainbands, and global warming. The lecture highlighted the importance of remaining calm and making sound decisions during disasters. In particular, the need to secure drinking water and toilet facilities was strongly emphasized. By using familiar, real-life examples, the presentation was easy to understand and helped deepen the audience’s awareness and understanding of disaster preparedness.
After the lecture, participants enjoyed a hands-on workshop creating weather map–themed straps. Children, in particular, had fun learning about weather patterns while making their own original souvenirs, sparking greater interest in natural phenomena.
An emergency water supply truck operated by the Sorachi Wide-Area Water Supply Authority was on display. Participants experienced disaster preparedness firsthand by tasting the water and practicing how to fill plastic bags—learning just how challenging it can be to secure and transport water during emergencies.
At the rainfall experience booth run by the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, visitors were able to experience simulated rainfall of up to 150 mm per hour. Participants were directly exposed to the intense downpour, and many reacted with surprise, shouting out at the sheer force of the rain.
By physically experiencing the severity of heavy rainfall—something rarely encountered in everyday life—the booth provided a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of disaster prevention and preparedness.
The flood control basin hosted a variety of water activities, including canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and aqua balls. Canoeing was especially popular, with many participants enjoying the activity while taking in the expansive scenery of the basin. People of all ages, from children to adults, took part, making it a valuable opportunity to connect with nature.
The festival plaza featured a variety of attractions, including hands-on science experiments, flood control basin model explanations, sports chanbara (foam sword fighting), and super ball scooping.
At the science booth, experiments using liquid nitrogen fascinated children, who watched the surprising phenomena unfold right before their eyes. By actively taking part in the experiments, children were able to experience the fun of science firsthand, and the venue remained lively and full of energy throughout the event.
Easy-to-understand explanations using scale models were provided to explain the role of the flood control basin. The presentations covered its history, the effective reuse of excavated gravel, and its crucial flood mitigation function. Through the models, children gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the importance of flood control infrastructure.
Children enthusiastically took part in the sports chanbara activity, moving their bodies freely and energetically. The area was filled with smiles, laughter, and cheers.
Mapcode for the Event Venue:360 228 553*78
