At the forefront of Taiwan’s green forestry
To the Mysterious ‘Cloud Forest’ It takes about 30 minutes from Taipei by Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR). Hsinchu Station was bustling with people from early morning. This is the nearest station to the headquarters of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), known as the world’s largest semiconductor foundry. TSMC employees commuting by high-speed rail streamed off the platform all at …
“Achieving 100% FSC Certification for State-Owned Forests” Reveals a New Future for Taiwan’s Forestry Industry
In December 2024, all forests managed by Taiwanese authorities achieved FSC certification *1. The total forest area covered is approximately 1.6 million ha, about 71.5% of Taiwan’s total forest area. Just five years after the initiative began, Taiwan has reached the highest certification rate in Asia. What is happening now in Taiwan’s forests? We spoke with Director General Lin Hwa-ching …
Into Taiwan’s Beautiful Forests
Located about 107 kilometers from Japan’s Yonaguni Island, Taiwan lies in the Pacific Ocean in East Asia. Owing to its lush greenery and beautiful island landscape, it was once called “Formosa,” meaning “beautiful island” in Portuguese. Roughly the same size as Kyushu, about 60% of Taiwan’s land is covered by dense forests. These forests are home to a remarkable diversity …
Using Tenryu Wood
［Lumberjack Activity Report #5］ This lumberjack activity lets us experience how thinned wood from Tenryu Forest is processed and utilized in our office. We will see firsthand how logs from the forest are transformed into wooden products—becoming companions in our daily work. March 16, 2022In Kicoro Forest, Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, we carried out collection work using a small timber transporter. The …
Thinking About Reforestation in the Tenryu Forest
［Lumberjack Activity Report #4］ Visiting the Tenryu Forest with Over 300 Years of History On November 12, 2021, our lumberjack team visited the Suzuki family forest in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture—a forest that has been carefully maintained for over 300 years. Managed by the 12th-generation head, Masayuki Suzuki, it forms a stunning landscape worthy of the name “Tenryu Beautiful Forest.” In the …
Trying to Build a Path in the Tenryu Forest
［Lumberjack Activity Report #3］ On July 16, 2021, we carried out work to build a path for transporting trees in Kicoro Forest, Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Building a Path by Hand In this lumberjack activity, we challenged ourselves to create a path using only pickaxes and mattocks—experiencing the wisdom of our predecessors firsthand. We split into teams for digging, carrying earth, and …
Transporting Trees in Tenryu Forest
［Lumberjack Activity Report #2］ Four months after our first lumberjack experience, we returned to meet Maeda san, the lumberjack, in Kicoro Forest, Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. This time, we carried the cedar trees we had cut down ourselves, following the traditions of those who came before us, and sawed them into boards. The experience was exciting and full of new discoveries—almost as …
Forest and Wild Animals
What should you do if you encounter wild animals in the forest? We learned from lumberjack Mr. Maeda. Bears If you turn your back and run, the bear may chase and attack you. Instead, keep facing the bear and slowly back away. Throwing an items you’re carrying can also distract the bearand help you escape. Snakes Moving quickly can provoke …
History of Japanese Forestry
Japan is a forest nation with 70% of its land covered by forests. Forests have been indispensable for daily life, culture, and urban development. Ancient Times (the late 6th century) to the Early Modern Period (the 19th century) From the Asuka period (from the late 6th century) to the Edo period (until the 19th century), huge amounts of timber were …
A Year in the Life of a Lumberjack
The job of a lumberjack involves a series of tasks from planting trees, growing them, cutting them, and processing them into logs ready to be transported to the market. Spring After the logging is finished, the remaining tree tops, branches, cut underbrush, and weeds are cleared and organized in a process called “ground preparation.” This is followed by “seedling planting.” …
Cutting Trees in Tenryu Forest in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
［Lumberjack Activity Report #1］ Located in the central region of Honshu, Japan in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tenryu Ward is a major forestry area, with about 90% of its area covered in forest, 80% of which are artificial forest. Known as one of Japan’s three great artificial forests, the “Tenryu Beautiful Forest” boasts a history of 500 years. This time, we visited Tsuyoshi Maeda, who …
