#Japan #Tokyo #Home Building #Sumitomo Forestry #Jikajisan

Celebrating 40 Years of Jikajisan

On April 11, Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd., under the leadership of President Toshirō Mitsukoshi and headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, launched a special 40th anniversary issue of "Jikajisan," a collection of real-life examples of home building. Over the years, the publication has featured stories from more than 1250 families, highlighting their unique aspects of house construction while introducing the charms and latest trends in home building. This anniversary issue includes a special feature titled "The Voice of 2000 Homeowners on Sumitomo Forestry Homes," where the experiences and insights from homeowners are captured abundantly.

Originally established in 1985, Jikajisan stands as a testament to turning customers' dreams into concrete realities, and it aims to continue this journey of celebrating people's homes.

Overview of Jikajisan

Jikajisan operates under the theme of "Homes Introduced by Their Builders" and features between 6 to 9 properties every issue from Sumitomo Forestry's vast portfolio. The magazine is published approximately four times a year and showcases the homes as envisioned by the owners, along with their initial impressions and points of pride, all presented visually through photographs and blueprints. Additionally, the company provides insights into how construction teams addressed specific site conditions and client requirements.

In 2015, Jikajisan was recognized with the Good Design Award for effectively promoting the advantages of custom-built homes. This prestigious award, established in 1957, celebrates designs that contribute to enhancing the quality of life and solving societal challenges, making it a significant accolade involving many participants from domestic and international organizations. More details can be found here.

Special Features of the 40th Anniversary Issue

The opening section of this issue gathers the voices of 2028 individuals as part of the special project "The Voice of 2000 Homeowners on Sumitomo Forestry Homes." It seeks to impart knowledge to prospective homeowners, discussing what they have appreciated after moving in and the features they cherish. There is a focused segment titled "Building with Sumitomo Forestry for the Second Time," showcasing a couple who built their first home 18 years ago with the company and then constructed a second house on the same property last year. This segment offers a comparison of the living experience between the two homes, addressing how certain aspects have changed and how some benefits have remained constant.

Expanding Through Online Platforms

In addition to the magazine, Sumitomo Forestry has also set up a dedicated website for Jikajisan on their official home page. This online platform showcases real-life examples in conjunction with the magazine content, along with video interviews where owners share their experiences regarding their homes.

The physical copy of the Jikajisan magazine can be found at Sumitomo Forestry's home exhibition venues and can also be requested online. To request the catalog for the 40th-anniversary issue, you can register by visiting this link.

The Sumitomo Forestry Group is globally involved in various businesses centered around wood, from forest management and timber manufacturing to residential construction and real estate development, including wooden biomass power generation. With a long-term vision called "Mission TREEING 2030," they aim to enhance CO2 absorption in forests by promoting a sustainable wood cycle and fostering the proliferation of wooden buildings, contributing to long-term carbon fixation and societal decarbonization. Initiatives include pushing for ZEH, ZEB, LCCM homes, and net-zero carbon buildings, driving a reduction in CO2 emissions in both home building and living phases.