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The Power of Bamboo, The Power of Community: A Story Beginning from Kyoto's Bamboo Forests ~ Bamboo Forest Workshop & BBQ ~

Ohara-no Kita-Kasugacho Bamboo Forest

Overview

We visited an area in Kyoto facing challenges with abandoned bamboo forests and challenged ourselves to make our own bamboo cups using bamboo harvested from there.

We chose one bamboo cup from various sizes and diligently polished it with sandpaper. Those who were particular continued polishing for tens of minutes, completing beautifully patterned bamboo cups.

In the latter half, we enjoyed an original salad bar and BBQ, focusing on local production for local consumption. The moment of toasting with friends using our original bamboo cups amidst the great outdoors was truly exceptional! Many children also participated and enjoyed themselves, and I believe it was a day of significant learning as they witnessed the current state of Kyoto's bamboo forests firsthand.

Partner organization

DELICE KYOTO Co., Ltd.

Contact

JTB Kyoto Branch
Closed：Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays
Hours: 09:30 - 17:30

Comments from participants

-I really enjoyed being in such a wonderful space and eating delicious food!
-I enjoyed the various interactions with adults and children, as well as the BBQ. My affection for the bamboo grove grew even stronger!
-It's quite difficult to have such an experience in daily life, so I'm truly grateful for this very valuable opportunity. Honestly, I had an absolute blast and felt completely refreshed!
-It was a thoroughly engaging workshop, and I enjoyed it just right! The BBQ, featuring local produce and delicious vegetables, also left me highly satisfied!
-I had never actually touched or polished bamboo before, so it was a truly valuable experience!

Comments from the partner organization

Following last year's event, we once again utilized an area where abandoned bamboo forests have been maintained to conduct a "bamboo forest camp." Through our involvement in bamboo shoot production, we keenly felt the challenges of abandoned bamboo forests due to an aging population and a lack of successors. As a solution, we are committed to creating a system that connects "agriculture, tourism, and the environment."
We continued the bamboo cup making activity from last year, valuing the opportunity for participants to feel the fresh scent of raw bamboo and develop an attachment to the cups they made with their own hands. In fact, we received feedback such as, "I continue to use it at home," which makes us feel that this activity is serving as a catalyst for people to incorporate bamboo products into their daily lives. Going forward, we aim to develop workshops that allow for a more intimate connection with bamboo, such as making "my own bamboo chopsticks."
For the food, we prioritized local production for local consumption, using fresh vegetables grown by local farmers. As a result, participants highly praised the "surprisingly delicious vegetables." We also received comments like, "The preparations were excellent, and I felt at ease bringing my children to experience nature." Especially, the interaction among participants, ranging from preschoolers to students and adults, and the smiles overflowing in nature, reaffirmed the significance of this activity.
We are advancing these initiatives as a means to support local agriculture and employment, and to contribute to environmental conservation and the decentralization of tourism. We will continue these efforts to help Nishikyo Ward establish itself as a new tourism area.

Comments from the staff member responsible

担当者name入り.pngWe learned that even environments that would become problematic if left unattended can be transformed into playgrounds that attract many people with just a little ingenuity. Kyoto, a region with many remaining challenges related to tourism, can achieve sustainable urban development through the accumulation of such small actions and awareness.
We had many new encounters, including DELICE Kyoto, who cooperated with us this time, as well as our regular customers, local students, and employees' families. Rather than ending here, we hope to continue being partners in collaborating for sustainable urban development in the future.

Scenes from the program