From the Yamanote Line to the Forests of Tochigi

Tokyo Yamathon is a one-day challenge with long-term impact. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, participant support is transformed into meaningful action beyond the event itself. During Tokyo Yamathon 2025, one of those partners was Tochigi, an organization working to restore forests and strengthen community-based conservation in Tochigi Prefecture.

We spoke with Tochigi about their experience with Tokyo Yamathon 2025 and how the support from participants continues to shape their work.

Q: What did being part of Tokyo Yamathon 2025 mean for your organization?

“It's wonderful that so many people are working together to solve social problems through Tokyo Yamathon 2025. I could feel the energy of each and every participant, volunteers and organizers.”

Q: How does support from events like Yamathon help advance your mission?

“With the support of Tokyo Yamathon 2024, we were able to start three forest projects in Tochigi Prefecture. In addition to tree planting activities, we were also able to hold forest play events with children. Thanks to your support, we were able to start new projects that we felt were necessary but had not been able to carry out due to a lack of funds.” “With the support of Tokyo Yamathon 2025, we will continue to maintain and develop our previous projects, while also beginning to develop a large 7-hectare forest in Nakagawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture, together with local group and people. As this expansion continues, we are strengthening our collaboration with people and organizations starting forest conservation activities in new regions.”

Q: Was there a moment or aspect of Yamathon 2025 that stood out to you?

“It was wonderful that we were able to make wooden medals using cypress thinnings that were cut down when building the children's forest play park in Utsunomiya, where we carried out our activities.” “We're glad that we were able to make effective use of the felled trees, that many volunteers helped us in the process of making the medals, that we had the opportunity to let them know about Tokyo Yamathon, and that we were able to express our gratitude to each and every person who participated in Tokyo Yamathon 2025.”

Q: How do partnerships like this contribute to your long-term impact?

“We are a small Non-Profit Organization, but there are many forests which have a lot of problems around us. Restoring these forests would be difficult for local people and us alone; it would require the combined efforts of many people.” “This partnership has helped us to restore local forests in terms of funding, volunteer activities, and empowerment. Furthermore, the power of IVG's partnerships has given us the opportunity to meet companies, organizations, and people we wouldn't have been able to connect with on our own, and to let them learn about our activities and the background to them.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like participants or fundraisers to know about the difference their support makes?

“Thanks to your support, forest regeneration is progressing. The planted broadleaf trees are also thriving, helping to create new forests.” “Reforestation takes many years, but we're grateful for the first step we've taken with your help. We hope to continue to cherish and nurture them. If you have the opportunity, please come and work with us.”

A Shared Impact

Through Tokyo Yamathon, the collective efforts of participants, volunteers, and partners are turned into long-term environmental action. Tochigi's work is one example of how support from the event continues to grow well beyond the route—strengthening forests, communities, and collaboration across regions.

Learn More About Tochigi Conservation Corps 🌲

Tochigi work is carried out through the Tochigi Conservation Corps, an organization dedicated to forest regeneration, community engagement, and long-term environmental stewardship in Tochigi Prefecture.

To learn more about their projects, ongoing forest conservation efforts, or ways to get involved, visit the https://www.tochigi-cc.org/ and follow their work directly.

Together, continued collaboration helps ensure these forests are cared for and sustained for future generations.