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KIRISHIMA SHUZO CO., LTD. and Starbucks Coffee Japan, Ltd. will participate in the "Miyakonojo Resource Circulation Forest Project," in collaboration with Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and the general incorporated association more trees. This project is one of the activities leveraging the strengths of both companies to take positive actions for local communities and the natural environment, stemming from the two companies' collaborative project "KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia," which will open on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

What is the Miyakonojo Resource Circulation Forest Project?

Miyakonojo City, which has abundant forests within the city, is working with more trees, which engages in “Diverse Forest Creation”—an activity that promotes the cyclical use of forest resources and timber production while planting and cultivating tree species suited to the land, making the most of local climate and techniques. The 'Miyakonojo Resource Circulation Forest Project' works together with positive actions for local communities and the natural environment conducted by Kirishima Shuzo and Starbucks through "KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia" to jointly engage in the creation of local forests.

Kirishima Shuzo and Starbucks have been conducting experiments on composting, under the name "Compost Club," using coffee grounds and shochu lees produced from its business activities, with the cooperation of the Department of Environmental Horticulture at Minami Kyushu University. Now, by collaborating with Miyakonojo City and more trees' "Diverse Forest Creation" initiative, the resulting compost will be used to grow seedlings (acorns) of yew trees and other species collected within Miyakonojo City on the KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia site. In the future, the seeds will be planted in the Miyakonojo area, contributing to the creation of a rich forest. Furthermore, to increase customer interest in forests, the company will hold customer-participation workshops on seed collection, seedling raising, and tree planting, contributing to the promotion of regional forest creation through industry-government-academia collaboration.

The Miyakonojo Resource Circulation Forest Project has adopted the nickname "ODEN," which stands for Organic Diversion Enriches Nature. Based on the idea that "resource circulation enriches nature," the name was chosen so that the local community would feel a sense of familiarity and empathy for this activity, just like the beloved Miyakonojo oden.

■ Workshops by Kirishima Shuzo, Starbucks, Miyakonojo City, and more trees
"Forest Gathering Place Workshop - Why not spend a relaxing holiday surrounded by the scent of wood and coffee?"

As part of the Miyakonojo Resource Circulation Forest Project, we will be holding a "Forest Gathering Place Workshop - Why not spend a relaxing day off surrounded by the scent of wood and coffee?" in Miyakonojo City on Saturday, December 20, 2025, and open to the local community.
This workshop will feature forest-related content that will allow everyone, from adults to children, to reflect on Miyakonojo's abundant forests. Workshops connecting with the forest will include making small stools and Christmas trees using offcuts from furniture used at "KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia" and other events, the "Will an Acorn Sprout?!" experiment that was very well-received at the recent "Kirishima Autumn Festival 2025," a "Kids' Barista Experience," and "Making an Original Flower Vase" as part of the Miyazaki Prefectural Miyakonojo Commercial High School's "Papermaking Culture Revival Project."

■ "Forest Gathering Place Workshop - Why not spend a relaxing holiday surrounded by the scent of wood and coffee?" Implementation details

Since its founding in 1916, Kirishima Shuzo has been producing Shochu with respect for the local community and its natural environment, as a "company rooted in the local community and growing alongside it." The company has also been actively involved in employee-participation tree-planting activities since 2004, and has been working to cultivate abundant forests in Miyakonojo City, including further accelerating support for reforestation in the Miyakonojo area by 2024. Through this project, the company will further promote giving back to the local environment and circulate its blessings for the future, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

Since opening its first store in Japan in 1996, Starbucks has continued to engage in activities rooted in the local community. One example of this is the creation of stores that respect local culture and the environment, and the company has contributed to the community by incorporating local wood into store furniture and interiors. Initiatives like this one are gradually spreading across the country, including Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, and Kawachinagano City, Osaka Prefecture, and will work in collaboration with local partners to serve as a bridge connecting people and forests.

Through "KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia," Kirishima Shuzo and Starbucks will continue to cherish their daily connections with the local community and provide time to add color to the daily lives of each and every customer. Aiming for a sustainable future, the two companies will also work toward positive action that leverages their strengths.