東京の最西部・奥多摩町にある株式会社「東京・森と市庭」は、子どもたちに木と触れ合い、見た目、香り、肌触りなどの五感をフルに使い「センスオブワンダー（自然の未知を感じる心）」を育んでほしい、という想いのもと、東京の森で育ったスギやヒノキを製材・加工した木育商品や、森や木に触れる様々な体験を提供しています。

Located in Okutama Town, the westernmost part of Tokyo, the company "Tokyo Mori to Ichiba" offers a variety of experiences interacting with the forest and trees, including wood products made from cedar and cypress grown in Tokyo's forests. Under the philosophy of wanting children to interact with wood and fully utilize their five senses to cultivate a "sense of wonder" (a heart that feels the unknown of nature), they operate their business.

森とあそび 木とくらす

Playing with the forest, living with the wood

東京・森と市庭では、保育園や幼稚園の木製遊具を作っています。自然に触れ合う機会の少ない東京で、木の遊具で遊ぶことは子どもたちにとっても貴重な体験かもしれません。

The company creates wooden play equipment for nurseries and kindergartens. In Tokyo, where there are few opportunities to interact with nature, playing with wooden toys may be a valuable experience for children.

「子どもの時から木と触れ合うと五感が刺激され、大人になってからも人生が豊かになると思います。また、森と子どもたちはとてもよく似ています。すくすくと成長するスギ・ヒノキは一本一本が個性的で、同じ樹はありません。途中で曲がっていたり、太い木、細い木があったり、本当に多様で子どもたちを見ているようです。」

"From a young age, interacting with wood stimulates the five senses, and I believe it enriches life even after becoming an adult. Also, forests and children are very similar. Growing cedars and cypresses are each unique, and there are no two trees that are the same. There are trees that bend along the way, thick trees and thin trees, and it's really diverse, just like watching children."

その他、社有林を活かし、「木育」の一環として、子どもたちに林業体験や木育遠足なども定期的に開催しています。また、貸し切りで家族や友人と森で1日自由に過ごすことができる森のレンタルプランもあり、森と木に触れ合える機会を提供しています。

In addition, they regularly organize forestry experiences and wood education excursions for children as part of their "Moku-iku (wood education)", utilizing their own forest. They also offer a "forest rental plan" where you can spend a day freely in the forest with your family and friends, providing opportunities to interact with the forest and trees.

自然と共に生きる

Living with nature

木の商品を手に取ることで未来の山や森のことを考えるきっかけにしてもらい、10年、50年、100年と長いスパンで持続可能な林業に取り組んでほしい。今、山が抱えている問題など、今の大人が解決できないことを子どもたちの知恵で解決してもらい、そのきっかけを作るのが大人の役割であり、会社としてもその役目を担っていきたいそう。

The company hopes that by picking up wooden products, people will start thinking about the future of mountains and forests, and engage in sustainable forestry over a long span of 10, 50, or 100 years. It's about solving problems that mountains face and other issues that adults can't solve now, with the wisdom of children. Adults can play a role in creating these opportunities, and the company says it wants to take on that role.

木育商品や体験を通して子どもたちと東京の森との橋渡しを

Bridging children and Tokyo's forests through wooden education products and experiences

また、原木の調達から製材加工を行い、商品の制作・施工まで一貫して行っています。実際に製材所では、板になり加工される工程を子どもたちに話したり、商品になるまでの過程を伝えたり、木や森に興味を持ってもらうような取り組みも行っています。

They handle everything from procuring logs, processing lumber, and producing and constructing products. At the actual sawmill, they are making efforts to talk to children about the process of wood becoming a board and being processed, to convey the process until it becomes a product, and to make them interested in trees and forests.

店舗で販売している「森のむしめがね」は、自然観察用に木製のものが使いたいという保育園の先生の要望を聞き、スタッフでデザインを考案しました。ひとつひとつ丁寧に、就労支援施設で作られています。

The "Forest Magnifying Glass" sold in stores was designed by staff in response to a request from a kindergarten teacher who wanted to use wooden items for nature observation. Each one is carefully made at a vocational support facility.

東京の森でゆっくりと育った良質なヒノキを使った虫眼鏡を持って森へ出かけ、自然を五感で感じてみてはいかがでしょうか。

Why not take a magnifying glass made of high-quality cypress grown slowly in the forests of Tokyo to the woodland, and experience nature with your five senses?

森のむしめがね商品ページはこちら
Click here for the Forest Magnifying Glass product page