About Us

Our Origin Story

Churamura was established in the early summer of 2020, a response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism to Okinawa. Notably, there was a surge in turtle nesting activity, particularly along Uza Beach in Yomitan Village.

We implemented protective measures by installing fences to safeguard the nests. This resulted in a significant increase in turtle hatchings compared to previous years, attributed to reduced beach traffic and decreased marine sports activities in the adjacent lagoon due to the decline in tourism.

What began as the protection of these nests during our initial summer swiftly transformed into an island-wide movement and robust team of dedicated volunteers.

This evolution gave rise to the diverse range of programs that characterize Churamura today.

Our Mission

Mission Statement Conserving Okinawa’s resident and transient sea turtles for future generations. Churamura is dedicated to enhancing the survivability of sea turtles hatching and navigating Okinawa’s waterways and coastlines. We achieve this by fostering awareness and garnering support to address factors contributing to the decline in sea turtle populations.

Our Goals

With your support, this groundbreaking sanctuary will be situated in Okinawa. Explore our initiatives and learn more about our work to safeguard sea turtles.