The 25th Kikigaki Koshien: Recruiting Participating High School Students

In anticipation of the 25th "Kikigaki Koshien," we are recruiting high school students to participate. This year, high school students will engage in one-on-one "kikigaki" with 65 "masters" from 12 regions across Japan's forests, rivers, and seas.

"Kikigaki Koshien" is an initiative where high school students nationwide visit "masters" involved in nature-related professions, such as foresters and wood craftsmen, to record and disseminate their wisdom, skills, and thoughts through "kikigaki." Since its inception in FY2002, over 2,200 high school students have participated.

Since FY2019, municipalities (regions) that cooperate in recommending masters and accepting high school students have been publicly recruited nationwide, expanding activities that connect rural and fishing communities with high school students.

This year, we are recruiting 65 high school students who will visit masters active in 12 regions nationwide and engage in one-on-one "kikigaki."

[Recruitment Details]

■ Eligibility: High school students
■ Number of recruits: 65 students
■ Participation fee: Free

■ Application period: May 8th (Friday) - June 25th (Thursday) (must arrive by)

■ Application documents: ① Application form ② Essay summarizing motivation for application (approx. 400 characters)

* The application form can be downloaded from the Kikigaki Koshien website (https://www.kikigaki.net/entry).

■ How to apply: Apply via the website's application form, or mail the above documents.
■ For details, please refer to the official website: https://www.kikigaki.net

[Implementation Overview]

■ Interview locations (12 regions):
Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture / Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture / Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture / Yasuoka Village, Nagano Prefecture / Toyone Village, Aichi Prefecture / Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture / Kagamino Town, Okayama Prefecture / Bitchu Region, Okayama Prefecture / Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture / Hita City, Oita Prefecture (Chikugo River upper basin) / Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture / Kunigami Village, Okinawa Prefecture

■ Schedule:

・Late July 2026: Participant decision

・August 9th (Sunday) - 12th (Wednesday): Preliminary training (Tokyo)

・Late August - Late November: Kikigaki interviews (principle: twice)

・Late March 2027: Forum (achievement presentation) scheduled

■ Awards:

Excellent works will be awarded the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, the Minister of the Environment Award, the Commissioner of the Forestry Agency Award, the FamilyMart Special Award, and others.

■ Organizers, Sponsors, Cooperators, Supporters:
[Organizers] Kikigaki Koshien Executive Committee (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries / Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology / Ministry of the Environment / National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization / NPO Earth Greening Center)

[Fundraising cooperation / Corporate donations] FamilyMart Co., Ltd.

[Sponsors / Cooperators] Hitotsubashi Bunka Education Promotion Foundation / FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation / Keio Corporation / TIMCO Co., Ltd. / Benesse Corporation

[Supporters] Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications / National Governors' Association / National Mayors' Association / National Association of Towns and Villages / National Federation for the Promotion of Mountain Villages / National Association of Depopulated Areas / NPO "The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan" Union

■ What is "Kikigaki Koshien"?

"Kikigaki Koshien" is an initiative where high school students nationwide visit "masters" of forests, rivers, and seas to record and disseminate their wisdom, skills, and thoughts through "kikigaki." Each year, cooperating municipalities (regions) selected through public recruitment recommend masters and accept high school students. The high school students visit masters in each region one-on-one for interviews. The completed works are compiled into a collection.

■ What is "Kikigaki"?

The basis of "kikigaki" is one-on-one communication. High school students record all conversations with the "master," transcribe their words verbatim, and compile them into a text that preserves the master's narrative style. Through kikigaki, high school students embrace the master's life and thoughts, learning a great deal from them. These experiences have inspired alumni to become involved in satoyama/satoumi conservation and community development.

Furthermore, kikigaki is an activity that connects wisdom and hearts across generations. It is also highly regarded as an example of career education and ESD (Education for Sustainable Development).

■ What are "Masters"?

"Masters" are individuals who are engaged in work related to nature, such as forests, rivers, and seas, against the backdrop of Japan's climate and culture. They inherit and practice the wisdom, skills, and spirit passed down from their predecessors. Their professions vary widely, including foresters, charcoal makers, wood craftsmen, carpenters, fishermen, and female divers.

■ About cooperating municipalities (regions):

For the 25th Kikigaki Koshien, 12 cooperating municipalities (regions) selected through public recruitment last year will be responsible for recommending masters and accepting high school students. High school students will visit 65 masters recommended by these regions one-on-one to engage in "kikigaki."

High school students will visit "masters" of forests, rivers, and seas to record their wisdom, skills, and thoughts.

[Contact Information]

Kikigaki Koshien Executive Committee Secretariat (NPO Earth Greening Center)

Attn: Ogata, Oya, Miki

2F-201 Kanaya Building, 4-11-3 Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0032

TEL: 03-5542-0132 FAX: 03-5542-0136

Email: contact@kikigaki.net

HP: https://www.kikigaki.net