This audio is generated by AI, so pronunciation and expressions may not be fully accurate. The narration is only in English.
Located in the downtown hub of Shinjuku, TOKYO MOKUNAVI aims to promote forests and wood products from Tokyo's Tama area, located about 50 kilometers west of central Tokyo. The showroom, opened in September 2023, is an initiative of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's (TMG) Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, in collaboration with stakeholders.
"We have the Tamasanzai Information Center in Tokyo's Ome City (near the forests), which provides information to businesses regarding lumber produced in the Tama area," explains Abumi Michiko, Director of the Forestry Section in the TMG Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs's Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Division. "However, we wanted a location in the heart of Tokyo to familiarize the average consumer with Tokyo-grown wood products and Tokyo's forests."
As a major part of its exhibit, TOKYO MOKUNAVI introduces "Tokyo no Ki" products, a name for products made from timber harvested from forests in the Tama area.
The showroom displays various "Tokyo no Ki" products, including wooden window blinds, chairs, and drink coasters, as well as woodworking products. It also prominently features a video projection showing picturesque shots of Tama forests, from cherry blossoms in spring to colorful fall foliage. At 500 yen a pop, a gacha capsule toy machine offers an assortment of wooden goods and is surely popular with kids and adults alike.
In addition to its permanent exhibit and rotating art exhibits, TOKYO MOKUNAVI also offers various workshops, as well as on-site events held in the Tama region. Past workshop topics have included woodcarving, decorating wooden kokeshi dolls, and painting wooden eggs. Events have featured movie screenings held in the forest, forestry experiences, and collaborations with YouTubers that have included yoga sessions in the woods.
"Our workshops and events highlight the beauty of wood and build community," says Takei Tomiko, a staff member at TOKYO MOKUNAVI. She notes that the showroom's programming is popular with families, especially families with young children.
A gacha capsule toy machine made from wood.
Woodworking products on display at the TOKYO MOKUNAVI showroom.
Decorated bento boxes made from wood.
Straws made from wood.
A display at the TOKYO MOKUNAVI showroom.
A winter-themed mobile made from wood.
Winter-themed woodworking at the TOKYO MOKUNAVI showroom.
TOKYO MOKUNAVI is committed to sharing the benefits of Tokyo's forests and wood products. For example, Takei points out that local wood—usually lightweight cedar and cypress—can help support Japan's aging population. "Cedar is really light, so it is easier for elderly individuals to move around chairs and other furniture made from cedar," she says.
In addition to introducing wood products, the showroom explains how forests help maintain ecosystems and benefit human society, such as providing clean water, preventing erosion, and absorbing carbon dioxide. Forests are also a place for leisure activities such as hiking and camping.
"The refreshing effect of going into a forest is truly immense," Abumi notes. She adds that many corporations headquartered in Tokyo do forests-related projects as part of their CSR activities, and that the TMG helps facilitate such initiatives.
In addition, Tokyo's forests are home to a variety of wildlife, including species such as deer, monkeys, and the elusive serow, the latter of which is designated as a Special Natural Monument by the Japanese government.
Tokyo has a long history of forestry, as Tama trees have been used to build and re-build the capital since the Edo period (1603-1868). These days, about 60% of Tama forests have been converted to plantations of cedar and cypress, conifer species intended for use in construction.
Today, roughly 40% of Japan's forests are conifer plantations, but special initiatives—including support from both national and local governments—are needed to help Japan's domestic forestry industry compete with cheaper imported timber. The TMG, for example, offers subsidies for facilities that use a specified amount of Tama timber or domestic wood.
"We are working hard to have Tama wood utilized in prominent mid- to high-rise buildings in the city center, in order to raise awareness of Tokyo's wood and Tokyo's forests," Abumi explains.
With such support, harvesting and usage of Tama timber has grown, from 2,900 cubic meters in fiscal year 2006 to over 16,000 cubic meters in fiscal year 2021. "We intend to continue increasing that volume going forward," Abumi says.
Going forward, the TOKYO MOKUNAVI showroom hopes to continue adding content that is relevant and interesting for Tokyo residents. One potential topic, says Abumi, is pollen countermeasures: It is believed that roughly 50% of people living in Tokyo experience pollen allergies from cedar and cypress.
When a conifer stand is harvested, the clearcut is often replanted with more conifer saplings. However, the TMG aims to alleviate allergies by replanting with strains expected to release less pollen, Abumi explains.
In addition to pollen, an aging workforce is another challenge facing Japan's forestry industry. Relatively low pay and the outdoor, physical nature of the work can deter young workers, especially those who need to support a family.
In order to generate interest in forestry among young people, the TOKYO MOKUNAVI showroom offers virtual reality (VR) activities for visitors to try their hand at felling trees using a chainsaw or harvester machine.
"In the past, harvesting timber required many people to cut down the trees. However, with the introduction of machinery, just one person operating a harvester machine can handle cutting, limbing, and transporting," Takei says. "We hope the VR experience will help young people see forestry as a potential career path."
Imagining a bright future for Tokyo forestry, Abumi distilled TOKYO MOKUNAVI's key message: "Let's go to Tokyo's forests, let's use Tokyo's wood!"
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs manages the experiential showroom "TOKYO MOKUNAVI," a hub to help people understand the benefits of Tokyo's forests and promote Tokyo wood.
Abumi Michiko, Director, Forestry Section, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Division, Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Takei Tomiko, Staff, TOKYO MOKUNAVI
Operating on the concept that envisions green urban development for the next 100 years, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is pushing initiatives to protect, cultivate, and utilize Tokyo's greenery.Through the efforts of both individual citizens and various entities, the aim is to transform Tokyo into a sustainable city that exists in harmony with nature. TOKYO GREEN BIZ - Green Urban Development -TMG
