Due to geographical factors, Japan has all kinds of trees which grow in different forest zones. Located in the heart of Japan, Hida Takayama contains three forest zones: subarctic, cool-temperature and warm-temperature. It is quite convenient to see various trees belonging to each zone, since they are nearby.

Yoshiyuki Makino owns a 1.6-acre forest and checks the condition of the trees there each day. He has been making furniture using local resources (trees and also Hida Cowhide). A study is currently being conducted with Kyushu University to find new ways to use wood while focusing on odorless volatile matter found in wood and testing its effects on the human body.

Yoshiyuki organizes nature tours to teach others about trees and how we should utilize and maintain our rich forests. His goal is to pursue a new way of balancing the coexistence of human beings and trees and publish these results while continuing to create furniture at Hida Takayama, in the same locations as ancestors who lived amongst the trees and acquired a great amount of knowledge and tree handling skills.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pYXVkWoN140