Adventure Tourism Utilizing Forestry Experiences

Forests, which cover approximately 70% of Japan's land area, hold great potential as a stage for such tourism. Forestry, in particular, is not only a local livelihood but also highly compatible with experiential tourism from the perspective of sustainable use of natural resources. Adventure tourism that leverages forestry experiences is attracting attention as a new tourism resource capable of simultaneously realizing environmental education, regional revitalization, and sustainable tourism.

1. Adventure Elements of Forestry Experiences
Forestry experiences include the following elements of adventure tourism:
・Direct engagement with nature: Entering logging sites or reforestation areas and touching trees provides a sense of unity with nature that cannot be experienced in urban life.
・Physical challenge: Handling chainsaws, thinning operations, and transporting logs involve moderate risks and physical exertion, giving participants a sense of accomplishment.
・Intellectual learning: By learning about forest management mechanisms, wood utilization methods, and the significance of environmental conservation, the experience gains educational value that transcends mere labor.
・Cultural aspects: By learning about the history of wood use in Japanese wooden architecture and traditional crafts, one can understand that forestry is deeply connected to cultural activities.

2. Concrete Examples
Examples of incorporating forestry experiences into tourism are already increasing both domestically and internationally.
・Kiso Region, Nagano Prefecture: Developing stay-based tourism programs that combine traditional cypress forest thinning experiences with woodworking workshops. Participants can connect the memory of the experience to their daily lives by using the wood they cut themselves to make and take home chopsticks or small items.
・Naka Town, Tokushima Prefecture: Offering forest tours guided by forestry workers. In addition to logging experiences, they have introduced a program that uses drones to provide an overhead view of the entire forest, aiming to fuse the latest technology with traditional forestry.
・Examples from Northern Europe: In Finland, "Forest Wellness Tourism," which combines logging experiences with saunas, and firewood chopping with camping, is gaining popularity, and its application is also expected in Japan.

3. Points for Program Design
When incorporating forestry experiences into adventure tourism, the following considerations are required:
・Safety management: Since the use of chainsaws and heavy machinery involves danger, the placement of professional instructors and the implementation of safety training are essential.
・Catering to diverse participant groups: Depending on physical strength and interests, prepare a variety of programs such as reforestation, pruning, and woodworking crafts, not just logging experiences.
・Linkage with the local economy: Utilize the wood obtained through the experience for local products and collaborate with local restaurants and lodging businesses to spread tourism consumption over a wider area.
・Strengthening environmental education: Link the experience to the sustainable use of forest resources and climate change countermeasures to encourage changes in awareness among tourists.

4. Challenges and Prospects
On the other hand, there are also challenges. First, forestry experiences are heavily influenced by weather and seasons. Second, it is important to reduce the risk of industrial accidents on-site. Furthermore, there is a concern that excessive tourism could hinder the original production activities of forestry. To overcome these, it is necessary for forestry workers, tourism operators, and the government to collaborate to design sustainable programs.

Adventure tourism utilizing forestry experiences has the potential to allow people to experientially understand the value of forest resources, raise awareness of nature conservation, and lead to the revitalization of the local economy. By positioning it as a complex tourism resource that crosses education, culture, and industry, rather than just recreation, Japan's forests will evolve into a new stage for tourism.

Author:Tsunehiro Hayashi (Professor, Faculty of Business, Okayama University of Science)

The Japan Tourism Agency's adventure tourism related page ishere

The Kibi Open Innovation Association website ishere

The Setouchi City Tourism Association website ishere

The Japan Adventure Tourism Association website ishere