TRUE BLUE
Enjoy to the fullest and bring peace to the world.
No matter how unstable the world situation may be,
We, as neighbors, can start becoming "the best of friends" right now.
We may not be able to change the big news right away.
But we can laugh together.
We can learn together.
We can work together.
We can clean the ocean together.
And we can turn ocean plastic into a "symbol of friendship."
That, we can start today.
PEACE BLUE JOURNEY 2026 is a three-day international environmental education and upcycling experience program where participants from Korea and Japan meet in Okinawa, learn and engage in dialogue through ocean plastic, and create upcycled works.
The ocean does not need borders.
Now, let's take a new step toward peace together.
1. What is PEACE BLUE JOURNEY?
PEACE BLUE JOURNEY is not one-sided support.
Friends from Korea and Japan gather in the same place,
See the same ocean,
Learn the same themes,
Touch the same materials,
And create the same works.
This is a project that fosters connections across borders through that experience.
In May 2026, the story that began with an exchange of "going to meet" from Japan to Korea,
will continue in October 2026, in autumn in Okinawa.
This time, the stage is Okinawa, surrounded by blue seas.
Wadiz supporters from Korea and joint learning members from Japan will meet in Okinawa, using marine plastic as a tool to physically shape the "bond between Japan and Korea."
That shape is a one-of-a-kind upcycled creation in the world.
What was once ocean waste,
becomes a material for learning,
becomes a creation,
and becomes a symbol of friendship.
That is PEACE BLUE JOURNEY 2026.
2. Why marine plastic?
The problem of marine plastic is not an issue for just one country.
The seas of Okinawa, Korea, and the world are all connected.
The plastic that washes up on the shore may have come from somewhere far away.
Perhaps it was created by our own way of life.
However, we do not want to convey this issue as something only dark and difficult.
Let’s make "doing the right thing" more enjoyable.
Let’s make "social contribution" more creative.
What TRUE BLUE values is,
Changing the future of the ocean in a fun, cute, and stylish way.
Marine plastic may just look like ordinary trash.
But if you look closely at the colors and shapes, each piece has its own personality.
Blue, white, red, yellow.
Round fragments.
Small pieces.
Traces of someone's life.
By observing, selecting, combining, and working with your hands, you transform them into works of art.
At that moment, the ocean's problems become not distant news, but an experience in your own hands.
3. Three key points of this program
POINT 1 | Japanese and Korean participants learn together in Okinawa.
In this program, Wadiz supporters from Korea and joint learning members from Japan participate together.
Even if the language and culture are different, when facing the same theme, conversations naturally begin.
About the ocean.
About daily life.
About family.
About the future.
About peace.
Even without using difficult words, as you work together, the distance between hearts gradually becomes closer.
During the program, interpretation support in Japanese and Korean is also planned.
We will manage the event so that both individuals and families can participate with peace of mind.
POINT 2 | Transforming marine plastic into "Japan-Korea mixed materials"
A major feature this time is the use of "Japan-Korea mixed materials" that combine materials from Korea and Okinawa.
Materials connected to the seas and daily life of Korea.
Materials collected from the sea in Okinawa.
Marine plastic materials handled by TRUE BLUE.
By combining these, participants will create a one-of-a-kind work with their own hands.
This is not just about making souvenirs.
It is a time to make the connection between Korea and Japan visible.
What was once marine waste,
Will be transformed into a symbol of friendship between Japan and Korea.
This is a creative challenge that can only be experienced through this program.
POINT 3 | Environmental education for the future, open to families as well.
At PEACE BLUE JOURNEY 2026, we also offer additional participation rights for children.
We want children to experience environmental education that cannot be learned from textbooks alone.
We want parents and children to have time to think about the future of the ocean together.
We hope the next generation will also experience the exchange between Korea and Japan.
We have made it possible for such families to participate as well.
Children cannot participate alone.
Please be sure to participate together with a guardian.
The target age range is from 6 to 17 years old.
Because the workshop involves the use of tools and materials, it is intended for children who can participate while following the guidance of local staff.
The time spent learning about the ocean and creating works together as a parent and child will surely become an unforgettable memory for your family.
4. PEACE BLUE JOURNEY Overview
This learning journey will be conducted according to the flight schedule from Korea, with a relaxed itinerary.
Schedule: October 23, 2026 (Fri) – October 25, 2026 (Sun) [2 nights, 3 days]
Meeting place and time: October 23 (Fri) 14:00 Naha Airport Arrival Lobby Meeting
Dismissal place and time: October 25 (Sun) 13:00 Naha Airport Scheduled Dismissal
5. 3-Day Program Details
DAY 1 | October 23 (Fri):Fieldwork on an uninhabited island
● 14:00 Gather at Naha Airport. The adventure begins. Friends from Japan and Korea will meet at the airport and set out together for the sea of Okinawa. The destination is a "private uninhabited island" that ordinary tourists cannot enter. This is the first campus of the program, where we will reconsider the boundary between humans and nature.
● A ceremony to "give back" to the sea. After landing, we will practice mindfulness on a beautiful beach, followed by a "beach clean fieldwork" before sunset. Collecting "negative legacies (marine plastics)" that have washed up on the uninhabited island with your own hands is an important process to show respect for nature. Some of the materials collected here will become the source for the art creation on the following day.
● A deepening dialogue: "Starry Sky Session." A special night gathered around a campfire, sharing stories with Ayumu Takahashi, Kim Young-mi, and the TRUE BLUE team. While listening to the sound of the waves, you will connect deeply as "friends" beyond borders, experiencing the ultimate extraordinary moment. This magnificent nature itself becomes the place of learning on the first day.
DAY 2 | Saturday, October 24: TRUE BLUE Upcycle Workshop
● Align your senses and head to sacred ground. In the morning, to deepen your understanding of Okinawa's history and nature, you will visit Kouri Island, a power spot with legends of the island of the gods. By experiencing Okinawa's spirituality, you will prepare your senses for the afternoon workshop.
● TRUE BLUE Upcycle Workshop. In the afternoon, you will create art at the "TRUE BLUE Upcycle Studio," the core of this program. By combining materials brought from Korea with those you collected on the uninhabited island the previous day, you will create a one-of-a-kind work using "Japan-Korea mixed materials." While listening to discussions about the global environment, you will experience the moment when social issues are transformed into creative joy.
● An evening of exchange savoring cultural intersections. At night, you will visit a place beloved by locals for Ryukyu cuisine. Together with unique Okinawan friends and musicians, you will enjoy lively conversations that transcend the Japan-Korea border, surrounded by the sounds of the sanshin.
DAY 3 | Sunday, October 25: Feel the cycle of life firsthand
● Teachings of the hermit: Exploring a life in harmony with nature. The final day takes place deep in the forests of Okinawa. You will visit Grandpa Muumin, affectionately known as the "Hermit of Okinawa," and experience a self-sufficient lifestyle by caring for livestock and harvesting vegetables. It is a profound learning experience where you can feel the "cycle of life" that is often forgotten in modern society.
● Closing reflection. Take time to slowly reflect on the three-day process and share the new sensations that have blossomed within you.13:00 Disband at Naha Airport. We promise to meet again and each take the lessons learned back to our daily lives.
5. Producer Introduction
The producers of this program, who will accompany you throughout the entire schedule, are the free spirit Ayumu Takahashi and Korean actor Youngmi Kim.
Ayumu Takahashi | Ayumu Takahashi
Author, Free Spirit, Founder of TRUE BLUE
Born in 1972. After dropping out of university and opening a restaurant bar with friends, he established a publishing company to release his autobiography, realizing his dreams one after another in unconventional ways as a "free spirit." After traveling around the world with his family, he is now based in Hawaii and continues to be involved in a wide range of activities, including running free schools and providing disaster relief around the world.
In Korea, his essays, written with a fresh sensibility,"LOVE&FREE" are widely known as bestsellers. His total book sales have exceeded 2 million copies, and his message continues to inspire young people around the world. In 2022, he founded the upcycle brand that transforms ocean plastic into "treasures","TRUE BLUE".
YOUNGMI KIM | Youngmi Kim
Korean Actor, Producer
Based in Korea, she is a talented actor who has appeared in over 60 films and dramas. Her notable works include the global Netflix hit,"Squid Game 2 & 3","Gyeongseong Creature", Disney+"Remarriage & Desires" She has appeared in more than 15 feature and independent films, and her expressive abilities are highly acclaimed.
She is also highly proficient in both Japanese and English. As a cultural bridge between Korea and Japan, she is producing this "PEACE BLUE JOURNEY." With her guidance, supporters from Korea can participate with peace of mind and enjoy deep conversations and experiences.
6. About the Rewards
The reward for this project is the right to participate in PEACE BLUE JOURNEY 2026.
This reward is not a travel package.
Airfare, accommodation, local transportation, meals, and travel insurance are not included.
Participants are responsible for making their own arrangements.
Reward 1｜[Early Bird・Limited to 10 people]Adult participation right: Three days to meet a lifelong "best friend" and "work of art".
Price: KRW 1,800,000
[Highlights of this reward]
This is not just sightseeing, but a journey of self-discovery. Together with author Ayumu Takahashi and actress Kim Young-mi, you will visit uninhabited islands and workshops in Okinawa in a three-day intensive program to creatively solve social issues. A special, limited-time opportunity for Korean and Japanese participants to become "best friends."
[Included content]
Premium experience: Three days of direct guidance from Ayumu Takahashi, Kim Young-mi, and the TRUE BLUE team.
Exclusive fieldwork: Exploration sessions on a private uninhabited island, and a "cycle of life" experience visiting an Okinawan hermit.
Creative workshop: Creation of a unique upcycled work by mixing marine plastics from Japan and Korea (including material costs and equipment usage fees).
Support to overcome language barriers: Interpretation between Japanese and Korean throughout the entire process, with progress support by a professional guide.
Official program participation certificate: Proof of completion of the learning journey.
Pre-event community: Online orientation exclusively for participants.
Reward 2 | Adult Participation Right
Price: KRW 2,000,000
Quantity: 5 people
Contents are[Early Bird・Limited to 10 people]Adult Participation Right The same as above.
Reward 3 | Additional Child Participation Right
Price
KRW 1,490,000
Quantity
5 people
【Attractions of this Reward】"Environmental education you can't learn from textbooks, brought to life." This is a special experience where, together with guardians, you can directly learn about coexistence with nature from creators working on the front lines and local "masters." Creating a single work with friends from across borders during a sensitive period will become a great source of confidence and a lifelong memory for your child.
Eligibility: Ages 10 to 17 (must be accompanied by at least one adult)
Details: Accompanying and participating in all parts of the adult program, workshop participation, materials included
7. Included in the fee
・Right to participate in PEACE BLUE JOURNEY 2026
・Participation fee for the 3-day international environmental education program
・Lectures and talk sessions on marine plastics
・Japan-Korea exchange dialogue session
・TRUE BLUE upcycling workshop
・Cost of production materials
・Tool and equipment usage fees
・On-site receipt of the upcycled work you created
・Interpretation support in Japanese/Korean
・Progress support by program operation staff
・Pre-program online orientation
・Certificate of program participation
8. Items Not Included in the Fee
The following are not included in the participation fee. Please arrange these on your own.
・Round-trip airfare to Okinawa
・Accommodation costs
・Transportation to the program venue
・Local transportation costs
・Meal expenses
・Personal shopping and additional food and drinks
・Personal travel insurance and overseas travel insurance
・Other expenses not listed in the "Included Items" above
9. Important Information
This program is not a travel package.
It is an international environmental education and upcycling experience program held in Okinawa.
Airfare, accommodation, local transportation, meals, and travel insurance are not included in the participation fee.
In addition, the organizer does not provide reservation or arrangement services.
Details such as the program venue, meeting method, recommended accommodation areas, and items to bring will be provided by the secretariat after your participation is confirmed.
Field learning and clean-up activities may be scheduled outdoors, but due to weather or safety reasons, the content may be changed to indoor programs.
If there are safety risks such as heavy rain, lightning, typhoons, or strong winds, outdoor activities will not be conducted.
In such cases, the program will switch to indoor activities such as environmental education, Japan-Korea dialogue sessions, TRUE BLUE upcycling workshops, and creation and sharing of works.
10. About Parent-Child Participation
The additional child participation right is a reward exclusively for children participating together with an adult participant who will act as their guardian.
Children cannot participate alone.
Please be sure to apply together with an adult participation right.
Up to two children can be added per guardian.
Eligible ages are from 10 to 17 years old.
During the program, guardians must always accompany their children and ensure their safety.
As the program includes workshops using tools and materials, only children who can follow the instructions of the local staff are eligible to participate.
11. About Cancellations and Refunds
If the project does not reach its funding goal, no payment will be processed and rewards will not be provided.
After the project succeeds, cancellations due to personal reasons of participants are generally non-refundable.
However, if participation becomes difficult, please contact the office at least 14 days before the program starts, and we will individually inform you about the possibility of transferring the participation right.
If the program itself is canceled due to organizer circumstances or safety reasons, the participation fee will be refunded.
Due to natural disasters, weather conditions, or local circumstances, the program content or location may be partially changed.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is this reward a travel product?
No.
This reward is not a travel product.
It is a participation right for an international environmental education and upcycling experience program held in Okinawa.
Airfare, accommodation, local transportation, meals, and travel insurance are not included.
Q. Is it okay to participate alone?
Yes.
Individual participation is also welcome.
This program is operated as a small-group program where participants from Korea and Japan learn and engage in dialogue together.
Q. Can children participate?
Yes.
Children aged 10 to 17 may participate if accompanied by a guardian.
Children cannot participate alone.
Please be sure to apply for both an adult participation ticket and an additional child participation ticket.
Q. Can I take home the items I make?
Yes.
Works created at the TRUE BLUE upcycle workshop will be handed over on-site during the program.
Shipping or delivery is not available.
Q. Will there be Korean interpretation?
Yes.
Interpretation support in Japanese and Korean is planned during the program.
Q. When will I know the venue and meeting details?
Details such as the program venue, meeting method, recommended accommodation areas, and items to bring will be provided by the office after your participation is confirmed.
13. Maker Introduction
NPO ON THE ROAD is a specified non-profit organization registered in Tokyo, Japan.
We are engaged in activities related to social education, environmental conservation, the promotion of peace, international cooperation, and the healthy development of children.
PEACE BLUE JOURNEY 2026 was planned based on these activity objectives, so that participants from Korea and Japan can learn together in Okinawa and creatively experience the issue of marine plastic.
TRUE BLUE is a marine plastic upcycling project operated by ON THE ROAD / WORLD DREAM SCHOOL.
By transforming marine plastic from mere waste into works with new value, we make the entry point to environmental issues enjoyable and creative.
14. In conclusion
Cleaning the ocean.
Making friends between Korea and Japan.
Delivering future environmental education to children.
Turning marine plastic into works of art.
These may not be separate things.
Learning together,
Working together,
Creating works together,
Thinking about the future together.
We believe that from these small experiences, great connections across countries will be born.
See you in Okinawa in October 2026.