Takekoma Forest Revitalization Project

This project was undertaken by Takekoma Shrine, one of Japan's three major Inari shrines, to create a lively atmosphere in the local community. Our company acted as a hub, forming a team that united the shrine, the local community, and the company. The team worked on five main areas: "development of the shrine forest," "installation of a cafe," "vitalization of the local community," "promotion," and "creating a new festival." Our company was responsible for the overall production of the project, including planning, logo concept design, design administration concept design landscaping design, construction, exterior construction, cafe opening support, cafe menu development, product development, video production, and PR. Our goal was to spin Takekoma Shrine into the future in a sustainable way, as an indispensable part of the lives of the local residents.

〇 Overall production content
1. Extract customer issues 2. Plan solutions 3. Consider implementation (management) system 4. Build implementation (management) system (leasing) 5. concept design based on opinions of the shrine and management 6. Product development (food and drink menu, selection of products for sale) 7. Consider revitalizing the shrine as a whole 8. Create a promotional video for the shrine as a whole 9. Consider CAFÉ promotion 10. Plan the opening ceremony 11. Attract various media 12. Implement PDCA after opening 13. Create a new festival 14. Send the global promotional video overseas
By recruiting supporters from our network (mainly local companies), we were able to create a system that can operate independently.

① Because the shrine has coexisted and prospered together with the local community, we want to revive the "connections with the community" that have weakened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
②We would like to come up with new measures to ensure that our shrine is chosen by worshippers, even as times change.
3) Because shrines were once the centers of communities and local culture, we want to enhance and promote their value as key elements of the local community in a way that is suited to the modern era.
There were more requests than this.

Initially, this project started with a consultation about the renovation of the assembly hall located on the outer perimeter of the shrine grounds. In order to solve the problems that became apparent through repeated conversations with the shrine and its parishioners, we came to the conclusion that a new approach different from the past was necessary in terms of architecture and organization. As a result, we decided to build a new building facing the approach to the shrine and to build a new facility that will become the core of the local community. The concept of the new facility was "evoking," and while strictly adhering to the hierarchy with the main hall at the top, we developed the shrine forest with the aim of incorporating and utilizing the historical buildings on the grounds and the sacred atmosphere unique to the shrine. In addition, we aimed to create a place where people can be freed from their daily lives and find healing by being in this place, and thereby awaken the original sensibilities that people tend to lose without realizing it. In order to build the building, it was necessary to cut down some of the trees on the site, but by upcycling them into beams and furniture, we have space creation unique to this shrine.
In terms of structure, Takekoma Shrine has cultivated a long history together with the local community and has been enshrined for 1182 years. We believe that local power is essential to pass on the tradition to the next generation, so we have promoted it in collaboration with 24 companies based in Miyagi Prefecture, including construction, landscaping, local forestry associations, product development, menu development, cafe businesses, video production, and events. Like other regional cities, Iwanuma City is also increasingly aware of issues related to the local community, and as a solution, we have worked with local event companies to plan and hold events such as "Bon Odori" and "Light Path". We are also currently planning a new festival, "Ichiri Manbai Festival". In order to further enliven Iwanuma City, we will continue and promote efforts to "serve as a base for residents," "strengthen relationships with the community," and "disseminate new local culture."