September 22-24: Benchmarking Advanced Cases in Osaka and Wakayama
Exploring the Potential for Integrating Riverfront Regeneration, Workation, and Park Golf
The Nakdong River Council, chaired by Yangsan Mayor Na Dongyeon, visited Osaka and Wakayama, Japan, from September 22 to 24 for a three-day, two-night trip. The delegation benchmarked advanced cases in riverfront space regeneration, park golf, and workation, while seeking new directions for cooperation for the joint development of the Nakdong River basin.
This visit included a total of 26 participants from seven local governments, including four heads of local governments affiliated with the Nakdong River Council and officials from relevant departments.
The Nakdong River Council is an administrative council composed of Yangsan City, Gimhae City, Miryang City, and the Buk-gu, Sasang-gu, Saha-gu, and Gangseo-gu districts of Busan. The council works to foster the Nakdong River, a lifeline for 1.9 million citizens, as a comprehensive axis of development that integrates environment, tourism, and culture.
This benchmarking trip focused on achieving tangible results to realize the council’s vision.
On the first day (September 22), the delegation visited the Korea Pavilion at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and met with Park Younghwan, Director of the Korea Pavilion. They also met with Hiroshi Mizohata, Director of the Osaka Tourism Bureau, to discuss ways to expand global tourism exchange and cooperation.
Na Dongyeon, Chairman of the Nakdong River Council (4th from the left), meeting with Hiroshi Mizohata, Director of the Osaka Tourism Bureau (right). Provided by Yangsan City
On the second day (September 23), the group inspected the Nakano-shima waterfront space, created as part of Osaka’s urban regeneration policy as the “City of Water,” and experienced the Aqua Liner cruise to explore the potential of river tourism. They then visited Nokami Fureai Park, the first 36-hole park in Wakayama Prefecture and an official golf course certified by the Japan Park Golf Association, where they held a meeting with park and park golf officials to discuss a wellness tourism model utilizing park golf.
On the third day (September 24), the delegation visited the site of the “Workation Project” being promoted by Wakayama Prefecture, toured Office Cloud Nine, a dedicated workation facility established through a private sector competition, and met with officials from the Wakayama Prefectural Government to share workation models that combine work, rest, and tourism.
Na Dongyeon, Chairman of the Nakdong River Council, stated, “This benchmarking visit to Japan served as an opportunity for the seven local governments of the Nakdong River basin to concretize the future value of the Nakdong River. We will create a joint development model that combines river management with tourism, culture, and leisure, leading to revitalization of the local economy and mutual growth.”
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