A Day Trip to Ecorin Village in Eniwa, Hokkaido: Cleanup Activity and Learning about SDGs.
Ecorin Village in Eniwa, Hokkaido
- Overview
In Ecorin Village in Eniwa, Hokkaido, a forest cleanup activity was conducted in the morning, where participants entered the forest next to the Welcome Center to gather deadwood and cut birch trees, loading them onto a truck. Following this, young tree planting was carried out, contributing to SDG Target 15: "Life on Land." Participants also enjoyed a fire-starting experience and roasted marshmallows.
After a lunch of Genghis Khan-style grilled lamb, the afternoon featured an SDG lecture delivered by staff from Ecorin Village, who actively practice sustainable initiatives.
- Partner organization
Aleph Inc. (Ecorin Village, Bikkuri Donkey)
- Contact
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JTB Escorted Tour Products Sales Division, (Hokkaido Sales Department)
Closed：Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays
Hours: 09:30 - 17:30
Comments from participants
- There is much to learn from nature. It’s not easy to do unless you make a conscious effort, so I want to continue working on skills that can be useful in case of natural disasters or emergencies.
- I want to start living a lifestyle that is environmentally conscious, beginning with what I can do. I take food seriously and aim to live in a way that respects the environment.
- I am participating in the Shirahatayama Forest Association in Kiyota Ward, Sapporo City. It’s very disappointing to see logging by contractors in Shirahatayama.
- This was my first time participating in such a project, and I learned a lot, moved my body, and made discoveries. I’m glad I joined!
- Carrying logs was tough but fun. If I have the chance, I’d like to participate again.
- The staff were friendly and warm, and I felt that the company itself provided a good environment. If there’s another opportunity, I’d love to join again.
- I’m curious about the fate of the saplings.
- Interacting with young people was enjoyable. I’d love to participate again next year.
- I had fun participating and was glad I joined. It would have been even better if more people had gathered.
- I wish I could have tried grounding barefoot.
Comments from the partner organization
Due to a change in venue, the activity time was extended, and the space became larger, making it easier to work compared to the previous session. Participants were able to fully enjoy the activities without the need for rotations. This time, we processed four larch trees with heights of 12 to 14 meters, with an estimated total volume of 2,340 cubic meters. Last year, we transplanted acorns, but depending on the timing of the activity and the fruiting conditions of the trees that year, we may switch to transplanting seedlings collected from the forest, as we did this time.
The originally planned firewood-splitting experience was adjusted due to time constraints, allowing participants to split a small amount of pre-prepared wood provided by the staff, and they enjoyed a campfire instead. If an additional 15–30 minutes can be allocated for firewood splitting, the entire program can still fit within the scheduled time.
For eco-learning, we found that explanations combined with on-site visits were easier to understand than classroom-style lectures. Additionally, incorporating video viewing alongside verbal explanations proved to be an effective way to engage participants.
Comments from the staff member responsible
"The JTB Brighter Earth Project" marked the second initiative by the Hokkaido Sales Department of the Escort Product Sales Division. Building on the successes and lessons learned from last year, we considered how to further connect customers and JTB employees through this participatory program, aligning it with JTB's vision for sustainability.
The forest cleanup activity involved physically demanding tasks such as carrying logs and tree branches to a truck, as well as a tree-planting experience. To conclude, each team participated in a fire-starting activity and enjoyed roasted marshmallows.
This time, the initiative focused on contributing to SDG Goal 15: "Life on Land." It was a meaningful opportunity for the facility, customers, and employees to work together as one, learning about SDGs and making a tangible contribution to its targets. This experience not only provided a sense of accomplishment but also served as a reminder of the importance of regional coexistence.
We hope this initiative can contribute to the creation of a sustainable and thriving local community.
Scenes from the program
