On June 14, 2024, an open excursion entitled “Touring in Kyotamba: Hometown Forests and Woodwork” was held to learn about the importance of forests in supporting Kyoto’s rich history, culture, and landscape. Twenty-nine participants from member companies and organizations attended the lecture.

(Left) Mr. Higuchi, head of the Kyotamba Forestry Association, gave a speech.
(Right) Explanation of the work by staff members of the Kyotamba Forest Union

In the morning, the participants visited a forest maintenance site along the Tamba wide-area forest road with the cooperation of the Kyotamba Forestry Association. The staff demonstrated a series of operations, such as felling with a chainsaw, cutting with a high-tech forestry machine to promote the succession of forest generations based on a long-term forestry operation plan, and cutting and carrying out trees using high-performance forestry machines. The participants were amazed at the powerful and efficient operations they observed in person for the first time. The participants were then given explanations and demonstrations of work using drones, providing them with an opportunity to see a valuable site that they would not otherwise.

In the afternoon, the tour continued with a visit to the Kyotamba Town Hall, newly constructed in 2021. The town officials guided them through the town hall, which was built using an abundance of local Kyotamba timber, giving it a warm, woody feel. The town hall is a project that was completed with the cooperation of various stakeholders in the procurement and construction of the timber. This project was made possible by the strong ties that exist in the town,” the officials explained, to which everyone fully agreed. We were also shown how the facility is used as a library, café space, and other facilities open to residents.

(Left) Mr. Yamauchi, Director of Kyotamba Town’s Finance Division, gave a speech.
(Right) The council chamber with a ceiling made of abundant cypress

Participants commented, “It was a valuable opportunity for us to see forestry firsthand, which we would not have had otherwise. ” “It was meaningful to witness the initiatives that make the most of local forests, from forestry to lumber use, all in a single day.