Considering the Future of Forest Resources Through Kiso Hinoki: Katsuno Woodworking Hosts 50 Officials at New Gallery Tour

Katsuno Woodworking Co., Ltd. (Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture) recently hosted a tour of its newly established gallery on the company's premises for approximately 50 attendees, including officials from the prefecture, local towns, and villages.

The event became a forum for considering the future of the Kiso mountains, with lively discussions on the current state of Kiso Hinoki cypress, the utilization of forest resources, and potential collaborations with tourism and water source conservation.

Event Overview

- Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 - Venue: Katsuno Woodworking New Gallery (Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture) - Attendees: Approximately 50 people, including staff from forestry and tourism departments of the Kiso Regional Development Bureau, Kiso Town Office, Nagiso Town Office, Okuwa Village Office, national forest officials, and other related organizations.

Event Proceedings

Participants toured the new gallery and received explanations about the history and characteristics of Kiso Hinoki, as well as Katsuno Woodworking's initiatives. New building materials, including the Kiso Hinoki Bark Board, and aroma products were also introduced. This was followed by a vibrant exchange of ideas on utilizing forest resources and potential tie-ins with tourism and water source preservation.

A New Gallery to Convey the Charm and Potential of Kiso Hinoki

Katsuno Woodworking has long welcomed clients and homeowners building with Kiso Hinoki for factory tours. However, there was no adequate space to systematically present the history, value, and the company's efforts related to Kiso Hinoki. To better acquaint more people with the appeal of Kiso Hinoki, the company proceeded with creating a gallery where visitors can experience its past, present, and future.

'A Design Like the Kiso Valley'—An Immersive Kiso Hinoki Experience

The concept is 'A design like the Kiso Valley where we coexist.' It's a space where the presence of the forest backdrop and the prominence of Kiso Hinoki coexist. Aiming to create a place where people naturally gather, converse, and enjoy being near wood, the design was commissioned to Mr. Ota, an architect active in both Tokyo and Nagiso.

Proposing New Uses for Kiso Hinoki—Bark Board and Aroma Business

In addition to its traditional business of supplying Kiso Hinoki as a structural material, Katsuno Woodworking is developing new products to deliver its charm to a wider audience. The new gallery showcases the 'Kiso Hinoki Bark Board,' an interior building material developed jointly with S-wood Co., Ltd. and Taatai LLC, which utilizes bark from the milling process. Aroma products that leverage the scent of Kiso Hinoki are also on display. By reinterpreting the value of Kiso Hinoki, traditionally used for shrines, temples, and residential structures, for modern lifestyles and spatial design, the company is proposing new possibilities for the wood.

What is Kiso Hinoki?

Known as one of Japan's Three Great Beautiful Forests, Kiso Hinoki is a representative high-grade wood used in historical structures like the Ise Grand Shrine for its cyclical reconstruction. Natural trees over 250 years old are still passed down, supporting Japan's spiritual and architectural culture. It is characterized by excellent durability, beautiful grain, and a rich fragrance, and continues to be used in many buildings and products today.

Connecting the Kiso Mountains to the Future

As a company rooted in the community, Katsuno Woodworking will continue to deepen its collaboration with government agencies and local businesses while developing products and disseminating information utilizing Kiso Hinoki. The company aims to promote the circulation of forest resources in the Kiso Valley by enhancing the value of Kiso Hinoki, thereby connecting Japan's forests to the future.