Ⅰ．How the Project Started: From Incheon to Sayama

This project began with a significant idea presented at the 2014 the 8th Assembly of ACRP (Religions for Peace Asia) in Incheon, South Korea. Religious leaders promised on the assembly declaration that “National chapters supported by ACRP establish environmental programs of planting at least one tree every year per chapter member” to preserve and restore the global environment

In order to fulfil this commitment, Religions for Peace Japan searched for a place to grow a forest. The late Rev. Minoru Sonoda (Shinto Priest, Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University and the former Board Member of Religions for Peace Japan) lead this initiative with RfP Japan’s Climate Task Force Team. After discussions with the Saitama prefectural government, we started our work in the Sayama Hills in 2017.

Ⅱ．Fixing the Nature: Transforming Bamboo Jungles into Healthy Forests

Initially, the project area (10,000㎡) was densely populated with tens of thousands of bamboo stalks. It was like a dark jungle where other plants could not grow. Abandoned bamboo groves can become hazardous as they grow rapidly and densely, increasing the risk of collapse, obstructing visibility, and invading nearby land. They also weaken soil stability and can exacerbate damage during heavy rain or natural disasters.

Our goal was to bring back a healthy “Satoyama” (an area where people and nature live together) by taking the following steps:

  • Cutting and Planting: We cut down the crowded bamboo and planted local trees like Konara Oak.
  • Controlling Bamboo: Bamboo grows very quickly underground. We carefully monitor it so that it doesn’t take over the forest again.
  • The Gift of Nature: Picking bamboo shoots (takenoko) is not just for food. It is an important way to manage the forest’s growth and enjoy nature’s gifts.

III. Event Report: April 19 – Harvesting Bamboo Shoots

On a beautiful spring day, 14 people (including parents and children) joined our “Forest Care and Bamboo Shoot Digging” event.

A Message of Thanks

Mr. Yuzo Akai, Secretary for the Archbishop and Communication Officer of Archdiocese of Tokyo, gave a warm message to the children:

“The forest is alive. Just as your parents took care of you when you were small, the forest needs humans to take care of it too. Today, let’s enjoy these bamboo shoots as a ‘thank you’ gift from the forest for our hard work.”

Fun in the Forest

First, everyone picked wild spring vegetables (tara-no-me). Then, they worked hard to dig up bamboo shoots from the ground. Everyone was smiling! At the end, children said:

  • “I was so happy to find a big bamboo shoot!”
  • “I want to come back and help the forest again.”

Ⅳ．Looking to the Future

This year is the 10th year since we started. Religions for Peace Japan has decided to finish this forest project in Tokorozawa this year 2026. We plan to return this forest to its original landowners this year. They are grateful that the once-neglected bamboo grove has been restored into a living forest through planting and ongoing maintenance, with rhinoceros beetles, stag beetles, and a variety of rare plant species returning. Religions for Peace Japan will keep looking for new ways to protect the earth and teach the next generation how to live together with nature.

WCRP Japan Climate Crisis Task Force

Working for Peace by Caring for Nature