[July 18 | Chonan Town, Chiba Prefecture] Workshop to Learn Product Development Utilizing Satoyama Resources Through Aroma Distillation and Shaved Ice Making with Famous Water

Pnom Toi Co., Ltd. (Location: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Erika Yoshinari), which aims to create and deliver new value from forests and satoyama, and Moribito General Incorporated Association (Location: Chonan Town, Chiba Prefecture, Representative: Mikako Chiba) will hold a 1-day workshop on July 18, 2026, to learn product development that utilizes the blessings of satoyama through aroma distillation and shaved ice making using famous water.

*This event is being offered as a single-day participation option for the 4th field workshop of the 7-part consecutive course "Satoyama Nature Positive Practice Course."

Details and Application Here

Recommended for:

Those who want to experience the blessings of satoyama nature through "scent" and "food."

Those seeking ways to connect urban and rural areas.

Those who want to shape their own ideas into products.

Those who want to learn about product development and sales utilizing local resources.

Those looking for seeds for new business and product development for their companies.

Program Schedule

10:00-10:15 Gathering & Opening

10:15-12:30 "Scent" Session

Experience the process of distilling forest materials harvested from satoyama to create aroma water.

Image of Aroma Distillation

In a lecture by Erika Yoshinari, President of Pnom Toi Co., Ltd., which plans, manufactures, and sells scented products from forest and satoyama resources, she will share the reality of how the company has increased "stakeholders" in satoyama through forest scent products.

Phnom Toi Lifestyle Brand Forest Scent Products

12:30-14:30 "Food" Session

After enjoying a bento box made with local ingredients, participants will make "Satoyama Shaved Ice" using fruits from satoyama and pure water.

Kanichi Saito, former representative of Tagayasu Club, will give a lecture on how he has increased fans of his farm while practicing organic farming.

Image of making shaved ice using satoyama fruits and pure water

14:30-15:30 Group Work

Finally, an idea workshop will be held to consider "how to shape and deliver" the blessings of satoyama from "Kumano no Shimosui" while hearing about the current situation and challenges of satoyama from Mikako Chiba, representative of Moribito.

Erika Yoshinari, President of Pnom Toi, will provide feedback on each participant's ideas.

Image of Group Work

This is a field program where you can learn consistently from satoyama conservation to value creation in one day.

What You Will Gain from This Program

This program allows you to acquire skills that can be applied to your future career, not just gain knowledge.

Introduction to the "Kumano no Shimosui" Field - In a Satoyama Selected as One of Japan's Top 100 Famous Waters, Towards Biodiversity Conservation and Creating Value from Nature's Blessings -

The venue for this event is the field (Chonan Town, Chiba Prefecture) of Moribito General Incorporated Association, which engages in forest management and thinning in the Chubu Chiba region for sustainable rural and satoyama areas. The area features "Kumano no Shimosui," selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Famous Waters, wetlands inhabited by endangered species, plum groves, bamboo forests, and mixed forests.

Currently, efforts are underway to conserve wetlands where numerous endangered species remain, manage abandoned satoyama, and restore the cycle of coexistence between humans and nature to the modern era. This is not just about environmental conservation; it requires practical engagement to transform regional challenges into new social value with your own efforts, while experiencing the changing seasons through your five senses.

Instructor Introduction

Event Overview

Date & Time: July 18, 2026 (Saturday) 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

*Event will proceed rain or shine. Backup date in case of typhoon etc.: July 25 (Saturday)

Location: Kumano no Shimosui Field, Chonan Town, Chiba Prefecture (2401 Sabutsu, Chonan-machi, Chosei-gun, Chiba 297-0145)

Meeting Point: JR Sotobo Line Mobara Station or Kumano no Shimosui Parking Lot

Capacity: 15-20 people

Participation Fee: 27,500 yen (tax included)

*Includes lunch with local ingredients, expert guide fees, aroma material costs, insurance, and field usage fees.

Application Deadline: July 8, 2026

What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, rain boots or waterproof shoes, rain gear, insect repellent, towel, writing utensils

Details and Application Here

Participant Testimonials

Here are some comments from participants who have actually attended this course. (Excerpts)

I felt very reassured by how warmly and effectively everyone managed the proceedings. The other participants also had their own expertise, and I am very much looking forward to absorbing various perspectives in future sessions.

Conversations with the people from Moribito made me reconsider the value they have built over a long time and the challenge of how to pass it on.

It was a time that constantly stimulated my curiosity, allowing me to experience touching, smelling, and tasting while listening to the experts.

Organization Overview

Pnom Toi Co., Ltd.

Phnom Toi is a brand that enhances the value and appeal of forest and satoyama resources, creating and delivering products and services that allow many people to experience their benefits.

Established: June 29, 2021 (Incorporated in June 2024)

President & CEO: Erika Yoshinari

Location: Shinagawa Kuyo Sogyo Shien Center, 1-1-2 Nishi-Oimachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: (1) Planning, development, manufacturing, and sales operation of the lifestyle brand "Phnom Toi"

(2) Planning, development, and operation of new services that enhance the value of forests and satoyama

(3) Environmental management support services for corporations

(4) Research and consulting in the natural environment field, etc.

Awards:

2023 Fiscal Year: Received the Rissho University Faculty of Business Administration Award and the Good Business Creation Award at the 13th Women's Business Grand Prix 2024 in Shinagawa.

2022 Fiscal Year: Selected as a finalist in the "LED Kansai" (Organized by Osaka Industry Bureau, Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry) women entrepreneur support project, receiving supporter awards from 8 companies.

Moribito General Incorporated Association

Moribito General Incorporated Association is engaged in forest management and thinning in the Chubu Chiba region for sustainable rural and satoyama areas.