"Touch the World Heritage": A Legacy Project Featuring Yakusugi, Japan’s Oldest and Most Sacred Tree

In 2019, all felling and auctioning of Yakusugi — Japan’s oldest and most legendary cedar tree — was officially banned, making it virtually impossible to obtain. In response, we launched the “Touch the World Heritage” project to give as many people as possible the rare opportunity to physically connect with this natural treasure. Through hands-on experiences, we aim to share the history and deep beauty of Yakusugi, and pass its legacy on to future generations.

What is Yakusugi?

While most Japanese cedars live for around 500 years, Yakusugi refers to those that are over 1,000 years old and grow naturally on Yakushima Island. Yakusugi wood has been prized since around 1560, and famously used in 1587 during the construction of Osaka Castle under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Also known as "Yakusugi" (a homophone meaning "to ward off evil"), the wood has long been revered as sacred—a symbol of longevity, prosperity, purification, and good fortune.

In 1993, Yakushima became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the same time, all felling of Yakusugi was prohibited, and its auction was also banned.
Today, no new Yakusugi wood can legally be sourced, making it one of Japan’s most precious and irreplaceable natural materials.

Preserving a Disappearing Tradition

At the same time, Japan’s traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage are increasingly at risk of being lost in the modern era.
With a growing preference for the new and mass-produced, the true value and rarity of historical materials like Yakusugi are being overlooked — and sometimes exported overseas without recognition of their cultural significance.

As a result, there's a very real possibility that Yakusugi will soon become a "World Heritage" that can no longer be touched — even within Japan.

Our Mission

Through this project, we aim to collaborate with companies that share our values of cultural and environmental preservation, and to deepen our partnerships with artisans on Yakushima Island.
Together, we will celebrate and protect the beauty of Yakusugi, ensuring that its legacy is cherished not only as a part of Japan’s past, but as a gift to the future.