People who protect forests, people who mill timber, people who design, people who live in the city - Expo benches born from a co-creation project move to various regions. Aiming for a true "legacy" by connecting "thinking about life" to the next generation.
The "Omou Bench - Cycle of Life" project, operated by H2O Retailing, installed benches made from Osaka-grown timber at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue and then relocated them to local elementary schools. The initiative aims to connect the cycle of forests and life to the next generation, creating a regional legacy through co-creation.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 23:23
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H2O Retailing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; Representative Director and President: Naoya Araki; hereinafter “H2O”) has been operating the “Omou Bench – Cycle of Life” project, which has progressed through co-creation with various businesses and local residents in Osaka Prefecture. This project aimed to create an opportunity to reflect on the “cycle of life” through the production of benches using Osaka-grown timber and the dissemination of information via web media in collaboration with local people. The benches produced were installed at the Osaka-Kansai Expo (hereinafter “Expo”) venue during the Expo period, spreading the “thoughts” of the project. After the Expo period, the relocation to local elementary schools and other facilities in Osaka and other regions has been largely completed. The project’s continuous effort to reflect on forests and life will be passed on in each region.
During the Expo, the "Omou Bench" was installed in the "Forest of Silence" created in the center of the Expo venue.
At Shinhinodai Elementary School in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, one of the relocation destinations, children took the lead in preparing the handover ceremony.
Relocated to the garden of a kindergarten in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture. There are many trees in the garden.
During the Expo, the "Omou Bench" was installed in the "Forest of Silence" created in the center of the Expo venue.
At Shinhinodai Elementary School in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, one of the relocation destinations, children took the lead in preparing the handover ceremony.
Relocated to the garden of a kindergarten in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture. There are many trees in the garden.