Building materials used in ECORU Togoshi
Shinagawa City is promoting collaborative projects with local
governments all over Japan.
With ECORU Togoshi, we aim to create a base that brings these bonds
together, and so we use building materials and furniture from partner
local governments in this facility.
Plates are attached to various parts of the facility to indicate which
parts of building materials were made in what places. We hope that you
will search for these plates, and take interest in Shinagawa City and
its partner local governments.
Municipalities that have exchanges with Shinagawa City
Shinagawa City has signed individual agreements with seven local
governments to conduct deeper exchanges.
As the population of Japan declines, collaboration between local
governments is becoming more important in order for both regional local
governments and those in central Tokyo to prosper.
A. Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture – Disaster Mutual Assistance
Agreement (signed January 2002)
Miyako is located in the center of Sanriku Fukko National Park, facing
the Pacific Ocean. It is known for fishing and tourism, and it Is the
perfect place to enjoy the seafood of the Sanriku Coast, including
salmon, Hanami oysters, sea urchins, and abalone. Visitors can also
enjoy magnificent views at Sanriku Geopark, including the easternmost
cape of Honshu island Capet Todo, the national scenic spot Jodogahama,
and the uniquely shaped rock Sannoiwa.
B. Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture – Disaster Mutual Assistance
Agreement (signed April 2005)
Tomioka is located in the center of the Hamadori Region of Fukushima
Prefecture, and has a 2.2 kilometer long cherry tree lined road with a
hundred year history, known as Sakura Tunnel. Currently, due to the
accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, residents of the area
have been forced to evacuate, and local government offices have been
relocated to Koriyama City.
*Planned to use building materials from 2022 onwards.
C. Otaki Town, Chiba Prefecture – Disaster Mutual Assistance Agreement
(signed December 2019)
Otaki is located in the center of the Boso Peninsula of Chiba
Prefecture, and is surrounded by greenery, with forests occupying about
70% of its total area. It prospered as a castle town since ancient
times, and is also known for Otaki Castle being the domain of Honda
Tadakatsu, one of the four great generals who served Tokugawa Ieyasu.
*Lumber from Otaki is not used for building materials, but rather
furniture in the facility.
D. Yamakita Town, Kanagawa Prefecture – Water and Greenery Experience
Exchange Agreement (signed April 1988), Disaster Mutual Assistance
Agreement (signed March 1995)
Yamakita is located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, and has
many attractions including the mountainous areas of Tanzawa Oyama
National Park and Kanagawa Prefectural Natural Park, as well as
historically important hot springs, local history, and culture.
E. Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture – Agreement on Collaboration Between
Shinagawa City and Sakai City (signed September 2019)
Sakai is located in the northern part of Fukui Prefecture, is blessed
with delicious seafood such as Echizen crab, and is the birthplace of
Koshihikari rice. Visitors can enjoy both history and nature, as the
city is home to Maruoka Castle, which has the only surviving castle
tower in the entire Hokuriku Region, as well as Tojinbo, a location
selected as one of the 100 best sunset views in Japan.
F. Kochi Prefecture – Agreement on Collaboration Between Shinagawa
City and Kochi Prefecture (signed September 2018)
Kochi is a treasure trove of delicious foods, blessed with the
magnificent scenery of the Pacific Ocean, the steep slopes of the
Shikoku Mountains, and the clear waters of the Shimanto River. It is the
home of many great historical figures such as Ryoma Sakamoto, and is
also the birthplace of the Yosakoi Festival.
G. Hayakawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture – Furusato Exchange Agreement
(signed April 1990), Disaster Mutual Assistance Agreement (signed
March 1993)
Hayakawa is located in the southwestern part of Yamanashi Prefecture,
surrounded by the Southern Japanese Alps. Forests cover 96% of the
town’s land, making it a beautiful place with rich natural scenery,
selected as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.”
Trees from Tokyo Tama Timber
Shinagawa City also uses wood grown in the Tama area of western Tokyo.
By engaging in “local production for local consumption” using Tama
timber inside Tokyo, we can help revitalize the forestry industry and
protect forests in all of Tokyo.
With Ecoru Togoshi, we are working to contribute to the conservation of
forests in various regions by using timber from the Tama area in Tokyo
and our partner local governments across Japan, and continuing to
promote the user of timber in the future.
Timber utilization promoted by Shinagawa City
By using wood, can we can encourage the growth of rich forests.
In addition to absorbing carbon dioxide, forests acts as dams by storing
rainwater and draining it little by little, thereby preventing
landslides. Forests also produce edible mushrooms and edible wild
plants, in addition to the timber we take for granted, so they are
essential to us. In order to protect and cultivate forests, we need to
actively use wood in order to promote cycle of tree growth.
Four benefits gained by using wood
1. Maintaining healthy forests
By repeating the process of felling, using, and planting trees, we can
keep forests healthy, and maintain their function of absorbing carbon
dioxide.
2. Creating comfortable spaces
We can create comfortable interior spaces with wood, which removes
moisture, absorbs sound, and gives a feeling of warmth.
3. Less energy is required for processing
Wood is easier to process than iron or concrete, allowing us to reduce
the amount of energy used for processing.
4. Inheritance of culture
We can spread Japanese wood culture, which has been used in every aspect
of Japanese life since ancient times.