FOREST

Not just enjoying the blessings of nature,

We went into the forest ourselves.

Protecting and cultivating forests through "self-logging forestry"

We practice sustainable forestry practices.



What is self-logging forestry?

A small, family-run forestry business that is environmentally friendly and sustainable

HIKOBAYU is one of the few companies in the forestry world that practices self-logging forestry.

We are also nurturing future leaders, with an eye to cycles decades or even centuries into the future.

 

Animation showing the difference between large-scale forestry (conventional forestry) and small-scale forestry (self-logging forestry) (2 minutes 34 seconds)

Source: https://zibatsu.jp/
 


Make a way to avoid resistance


The theory behind road construction in self-cutting forestry is to make use of the terrain. For example, areas with water flowing are left as they are, and the slope is not forcibly controlled.
The width of the road is The height is set at 2.5m or less. This creates "unbreakable forest work roads." This acts as a preventive erosion control and contributes to preventing landslides.
In addition to being functional by allowing people to enter the forest, it also creates a forest space with a pleasant atmosphere and landscape, making it possible to use the space for multiple purposes, creating new value for the forest.




How forestry can promote forest growth


Humans can either destroy forests or encourage their growth.
We want forestry to be a way of promoting forest growth.
We carefully observe the state of the forest, looking at each tree one by one. We use human wisdom to control the light so that it naturally enters the forest. By selectively cutting down trees, we maximize the number of trees and turn them into high-quality products such as the finest solid wood.
 

If it's hard or soft, I'd choose soft

This is not an unnatural, rigid type of forestry that involves cutting down trees too much, but rather a gentle type of forestry that flows effortlessly without resistance.
We value being "Genen."
Jinen is a view of nature that has existed in Japan since ancient times, referring to "things that are originally the way they are without human intervention," or "the way things are by themselves," or "the way they are."
We believe that by observing nature from a subjective human perspective, it is important to understand our connection with nature and protect it .


 

From forest resources to essential oils

Unused resources collected from the forests we manage are carefully and lovingly manufactured by hand by staff who are thoroughly knowledgeable about the properties of plants, and we manage all processes in-house.

1. Material procurement

Resource procurement

Resources generated from the removal of branches from felled trees are left unused in forestry. By producing essential oils from these unused resources, new value and circulation are created.

2. Make branches and leaves into chips

Cut the branches and leaves into small chips

The wood is then chipped using a special machine. This is an important process for checking the condition of the branches and leaves, which can change minutely depending on factors such as the time of felling and the temperature.

3. Extract the oil in-house

In-house extraction

We extract essential oil from Japanese safflower in-house, with the help of dedicated staff who are thoroughly familiar with the characteristics of plants. We adjust the pressure depending on the condition of the branches and leaves to achieve the best possible condition.

4. Bottled in-house

In-house bottling

The extracted fir essential oil is bottled in-house. The blended oil is mixed by a perfumer. 100% pure oil is used. We put our heart into the labeling as well.

FINAL / chips after extraction?

What happens to the chips after extraction?

After extracting the essential oil, the chips are dried and reused as chips to spread around the site. Until the very end, we are conscious of recycling and regeneration, never forgetting our gratitude to nature.

MESSAGE

Kento Sawada / HIKOBAYU Director

As time goes on, convenience in life has become the norm.
However, we realize that our bond with nature and our gratitude to nature have been forgotten. No one hates bonfires. Perhaps this is because the memories of warming the darkness of the night, eating meals together, and enjoying family time are engraved on a genetic level.
I have always wondered whether, while I provide beauty to people through my work in the beauty industry, I am not contributing anything to nature.
He enjoyed the nature of Niseko through snowboarding, but did he give back to it?
We now manage over 70 hectares of forest, and through environmental conservation-oriented self-cutting forestry, we are directly giving back to nature. By creating this cycle, we hope to strengthen the connection between forests and people. Self-cutting forestry does not destroy mountains, but rather cultivates forests while following certain rules, and utilizes resources.
HIKOBAYU is committed to activities that provide opportunities for people to rediscover the reverence for nature that they tend to forget in their daily lives, and the connection with nature in modern society.
It is a step (action) towards a future where both forests and people continue to thrive, and where we value true harmony with nature.

CSR/Sustainable Solutions

  • Forest Management

    We can help you improve the value of your forest assets.


    We will help lead forests that have a low environmental impact, transcend generations, and have a sustainable resource circulation that looks to the future of forests. From a technical and broad perspective, we will maximize the amount of carbon fixation per forest area, which will be a measure against global warming.

    Our forest management methods place more importance on listening carefully to nature, rather than resisting it, than on industrial elements or short-term profits. One of the most important things is the construction of "unbreakable forest work roads." This not only allows people to enter the forest, but also creates a forest space with a pleasant atmosphere and scenery, allowing for multi-purpose use of the space and creating new value for the forest.

  • Regional forestry policy advisor (for local governments)

    The local mountains and people are the local treasures


    We have been appointed as a "Regional Forestry Policy Advisor" by the national government. This is a system in which the Forestry Agency covers the costs. We will help you make effective use of the local forests and create new culture and assets in the region. Local governments throughout Hokkaido and the country are welcome to contact us.

  • Effective use of resources generated by logging

    In Scandinavian culture, birch bark is a material that can last for over 100 years. We turn it into accessories and other works of art by hand, with gratitude, and send them off to new destinations both domestically and overseas. In addition, we supply the bark to the local area as firewood and lumber, which are used effectively as a local recycling resource.

Please feel free to contact us — Japanese and English Available —

At HIKOBAYU, we actively listen to our customers' opinions and hope to use them to improve our quality, improve our services, and come up with ideas for new products. Please feel free to send us a message.

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