Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on August 13, 2025, 9:15 PM JST
Editorial Board, Forest Circular Economy
Forestcircularity-editor
We aim to realize "Vision 2050: Japan Shines, Forest Circular Economy" promoted by the Platinum Forest Industry Initiative. We will disseminate ideas and initiatives to promote biomass chemistry, realize woody and lumbery communities, and encourage innovation in the forestry industry in order to fully utilize forest resources to decarbonize the economy, strengthen economic security, and create local communities.
On August 27, a publicly owned and operated "Tankyu Distillery" opened in Higashikawa Town, Hokkaido. The distillery produces and sells distilled spirits that make use of local agricultural products and forest resources. As its first product, the distillery will release "Snow Window," a craft gin made from Abies sachalinensis leaves procured from thinning and locally grown Higashikawa rice, with the aim of creating new value for the region.
Snow Window" reflects the local climate in its ingredients. It uses spring water selected as one of the 100 best waters in the Heisei era, Higashikawa rice malt, and Todomatsu (Abies sachalinensis) leaves, which were thinned with the cooperation of the Higashikawa Forestry Cooperative, to create a refreshing aroma.
The distillery will also emphasize contact with consumers. A permanent store will be set up on the premises, where customers can taste and purchase products, and tours of the distillery's production process will be offered daily from January 28th to promote a deeper understanding of the products. In addition to the actual shops, the distillery also began offering the products as a tax return gift on the town's hometown tax payment website on January 12.
The distillery facilities will be maintained by Higashikawa Town and operated by Tanaka Distillery under a public-private business scheme. By visualizing the flow from material procurement, production, and provision within the region to the town, it will be easier to coordinate among the parties involved. By reducing the risk of initial investment by the municipality, the private operator can concentrate on speedy business development utilizing its expertise and creativity.
This initiative will add new value in the form of distilled spirits to forest thinnings, which until now have had limited use. It is expected to contribute to the revitalization of the local economy by providing consumers with an opportunity to rediscover the richness of local forest resources through a product rooted in the local climate.
