The first-class river "Takahashi River" flows through Kurashiki City.
Originating from Hanamizuyama (elevation 1,188m: Niimi City), Niimi City is conducting forest management to enhance the functions of water source conservation and sediment runoff prevention that support the rich water environment of the Takahashi River.
Furthermore, since 2016, Niimi City and Japan Tobacco Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "JT") have been collaborating on "JT's Forest Koigakubo Niimi," where forest conservation activities involving employees and others are conducted once a year, and the event for 2025 was held on October 18 (Saturday).
Here, we introduce the activities of "JT's Forest Koigakubo Niimi 2025 Autumn Forest Conservation Activities."
What is "JT's Forest Koigakubo Niimi"
JT, which conducts business activities centered on tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods, utilizes natural-derived raw materials such as leaf tobacco, paper, and vegetables in its operations.
Therefore, as part of its natural environment conservation efforts, it promotes forest conservation activities named "JT's Forest," and as of November 2025, it is active in nine locations nationwide.
In Okayama Prefecture, there is "JT's Forest Koigakubo Niimi," which conducts forest conservation activities centered around Koigakubo Wetland.
Koigakubo Wetland
It is a region where over 300 species of plants, including Ogurasennou, grow naturally, and it was designated as a natural monument of Japan on March 6, 1980, as "Koigakubo Wetland Plant Community."
"JT's Forest Koigakubo Niimi" has progressed from the first phase starting in 2016 to the second phase starting in 2022, which involved changing the target forest area, and it will enter the third phase starting in 2025.
The third phase will involve activities such as cutting trees around the wetland to secure sunlight and restore inflow water, working to maintain the original environment of the wetland and preserve biodiversity.
Contents of the 2025 Autumn Forest Conservation Activities
The 2025 Autumn Forest Conservation Activities were conducted, continuing from the previous year (2024), focusing on underbrush cutting of the "Low-Pollen Cedar" planted in 2024, following the flow below.
- Opening Ceremony (Greetings from the organizer / Commemorative photo)
- Forest Conservation Activities (Underbrush Cutting in Low-Pollen Cedar Model Forest)
- Lunch
- Forest Extracurricular Class (Exploration of Okayama Prefecture Designated Natural Monument "Ikurado Cave")
Items 1 and 2 were activities in the morning, while items 3 and 4 were in the afternoon.
A total of 82 participants, including employees of the JT Group centered in Okayama, Hiroshima, and Shimane Prefectures, employees of business partners, and their families, were divided into five groups for the activities.
Opening Ceremony
At the opening ceremony, greetings were first given by the organizer and guests.
After that, the participating organizations and staff were introduced, and the forest conservation activities began.
Forest Conservation Activities (Underbrush Cutting in Low-Pollen Cedar Model Forest)
We moved to a location about a five-minute walk from the opening ceremony venue.
The author, who participated in the forest conservation activities for the first time in two years, saw the growth of the "Low-Pollen Cedar" planted two years ago (2023).
Even after two years, it is still only about this size (about 50cm tall)
This was my honest impression, realizing that the "wood" we casually use takes a long time to grow.
First, I received explanations about the use of sickles for underbrush cutting, precautions, and plants that should not be touched with bare hands.
After that, I took a sickle in hand and began the underbrush cutting work.
While it is true that "you are just cutting grass with a sickle," it starts off easy, but after about ten minutes, sweat starts to flow, and my arms begin to tire.
As conversation gradually decreased, everyone worked silently.
After about 40 minutes of underbrush cutting, the site looked like this.
Lunch
After finishing the work, we moved to "Michi no Eki Koigakubo" for lunch.
Bento and freshly baked rice flour pizza were prepared.
The children seemed to enjoy the pizza-making experience as well.
Forest Extracurricular Class (Exploration of Okayama Prefecture Designated Natural Monument "Ikurado Cave")
After lunch, we moved to "Ikurado Cave," a designated natural monument of Okayama Prefecture, which is about a 30-minute bus ride away.
Upon arrival, we basically had free time to experience "Ikurado Cave."
For me, it was my first visit to "Ikurado Cave" since elementary school, and I enjoyed the fantastical space created by nature.
After the conclusion, a closing ceremony was held, and an employee from JT Okayama Branch, who also played a supporting role, gave a greeting, marking the end of the "2025 Autumn Forest Conservation Activities."
Conclusion
I felt that the scenery had not changed much, but through this activity, I realized that the "conservation activities to maintain the status quo" are being carried out daily.
Also, seeing the growth of the "low-pollen cedar" that was planted two years ago helped me understand that forests are a resource created over a long period with the involvement of many people.
Since I usually live in Kurashiki City, I do not have many opportunities to see forests in my daily life.
However, I realized once again that there are many things you can only notice by actually visiting and taking action.
"JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi" 2025 Autumn Forest Conservation Activity Data
| Name | "JT Forest Koigakubo Niimi" 2025 Autumn Forest Conservation Activity |
|---|---|
| Date | October 18, 2025 (Saturday) |
| Location | Yada, Tetsusei-cho, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | ※ Whether there will be a general recruitment and the method of the next event is undecided |
| Homepage | JT Forest |
