Youth being led by Toyota's guide, but with toy tools, that is, drumsticks. The question stands, what is Toyota up to?
In the picturesque Shirakawa Village, nestled near Hakusan National Park in Japan, lies the Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute. Owned and operated by Toyota, this unique facility is a testament to the company's commitment to environmental conservation and community engagement.
Historically, the institute has its roots in Toyota's social contribution efforts, aimed at fostering a society in harmony with nature. The institute offers an immersive learning experience, connecting people of all ages with biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
The institute functions as a lodging and experiential facility, providing visitors with opportunities to engage in outdoor activities such as trekking, river play, and camping. Facilities like natural hot springs and a restaurant serving local ingredients further enhance visitors' connection to the regional environment.
Toyota purchased the land where the Eco-Institute is located in 1973, a once-deserted village due to severe snowfalls. Afterward, the company bought seven Gassho-style houses for use as employee recreational facilities. One of these houses was later reopened as the nature institute in 1997, following nearly 20 years of inactivity.
The institute's educational program, the SDGs Leader Development Program, emphasises the importance of individuals making choices that are slightly better for the environment and society to create a well-being society. The program aims to produce professionals in creating a society where everyone can experience well-being while co-existing with nature.
Various programs are organised at the Eco-Institute, including night hikes in the pitch-dark forest and campfire discussions. Toyota wants to deliver to the younger generation the significance of immersing themselves in the vast nature of Shirakawa-go and valuing interactions.
Hiroki Kubota, a professional partner in the Corporate Citizenship Division, explains Toyota's involvement in the program. He emphasises the importance of empathetic peers leading to outcomes that surpass expectations. The school's catchphrase, "Wild and Smile" (Let's go outside on sunny days), encapsulates the institute's ethos of enjoying nature while learning and growing.
Approximately 20 students participate annually in the SDGs Leader Development Program at the Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute. The institute's maintenance work, including the necessary work on old paths due to annual snowfall, is part of this educational program.
The institute's location near the Kazura ancient path, close to Shirakawa's Gassho-style villages in Gifu Prefecture, adds to its historical and cultural significance. Toyota's goal is to foster innovation and creativity inspired by nature, paralleling its corporate values seen elsewhere, such as the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology.
In conclusion, the Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute serves as a vital hub for environmental education and community engagement. It stands as a testament to Toyota's commitment to fostering a society in harmony with nature and promoting environmental education and interaction with nature, consistent with its corporate philosophy of "genchi genbutsu" (going to the source to get the facts) and hands-on learning.
- The immersive learning experience at the Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute, involving outdoor activities, education on environmental sustainability, and personal growth, falls under the category of education and self-development, connecting it to a lifestyle commitment that emphasizes harmony with nature.
- The SDGs Leader Development Program at the Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute, focusing on personal choices for the environment and society, aligns with personal growth and the larger goal of creating a well-being society, making it a part of both environmental science and lifestyle education.
