Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on January 30, 2026, 7:50 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.
Tokyu Corporation is promoting a "tree renewal" at Ishikawadai Station on the Ikegami Line as part of the "SOCIAL WOOD PROJECT" to promote the recycling of forest resources. The company is the first in Japan to utilize the "circulating Kishu timber certification system" established by Wakayama Prefecture. Through the development of railroad infrastructure, the project will contribute to sound forest development and resource recycling in timber-producing regions.
The "Ki-ni-naru Renewal" program is an initiative to actively utilize domestic timber in the renovation of station facilities. Ishikawa-dai Station will be the fifth station to undergo the program, building on the achievements of the previous four stations. In this renovation, the roof of the platform will be reconstructed and Kishu lumber produced in Wakayama Prefecture will be used for the interior and exterior.
Kishu lumber is a lumber produced from trees born and grown in the forests of Wakayama Prefecture, and has been popular in many regions since ancient times as a material with "good color and luster," "good graininess," "straightness," "little deviation," and "excellent strength and durability. The Wakayama Forestry Experiment Station's test results show that it is strong enough to be used in wooden buildings even in its solid state.
The "Circulation-Oriented Kishu Timber Certification System" established by Wakayama Prefecture is a system that not only certifies that the timber is "Kishu timber," but also that the area where the timber was harvested will be reforested without fail. This system ensures that the use of timber in urban areas directly contributes to the maintenance and restoration of the forests where the timber is supplied.
Resource recycling is not limited to the use of Kishu lumber. Old lumber from the existing Ishikawadai Station building will also be recycled as a resource. The old wood will be processed as "station wood" and distributed to society as building materials.
The "SOCIAL WOOD PROJECT" promoted by Tokyu Corporation is more than just beautification of facilities. The project will communicate the utilization of domestic timber, regional development, and solutions to forest issues from the stations. It is an attempt to link various urban facilities, including stations, and local governments in a larger cycle through forest resources.
Outline of Construction
Building name: Ishikawadai Station on the Ikegami Line
Location : 2-23-1 Higashi-Yukigaya, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Construction Description:
Reconstruction and extension of home roof * Utilization of "Kishu lumber
Renovation of the interior and exterior of the station building and the restrooms inside the station
Start of construction: February 2026
Scheduled completion: Fall 2027
Reference Links
Renewal of Ishikawadai Station on the Ikegami Line using “Kishu timber” produced in Wakayama Prefecture (Tokyu Corporation)
