"Mori WEEK 2026 @Meguro," a 4-day comprehensive event centered on the theme of watershed ecology, is set to take place from April 22 (Wednesday) to 25 (Saturday), 2026, at Mori no Kuni Valley in Matsuno-cho, Ehime Prefecture (Namekata Gorge area). Organized by Sun-Crea Co., Ltd., the event brings together symposiums, field work, community activities, and an art exhibition centered on the two watersheds originating from the Nanyo Alps — the Uwanada Sea watershed and the Shimanto River watershed.
Background
Snow accumulating on the Nanyo Alps seeps into the forests and flows toward the Uwanada Sea and the Pacific Ocean via the Shimanto River, carrying nutrients from the forest to sustain the marine ecosystem. The aquaculture culture of Uwanada and the rich fishing grounds of the Shimanto River have long depended on this cycle connecting forest, river, and sea.
Today, however, climate change is reshaping the landscape surrounding these natural systems. The event was created as a response to this challenge — a platform for people with firsthand knowledge of these regions, researchers, and practitioners to come together, share insights, and explore what coexistence with nature can look like going forward.
Concept: "Experiencing the Cycle Through All Five Senses"
The event frames "cycle" as an ecological, cultural, and social concept, with programs built around three domains:
① The Cycle of Water (Ecological Connectivity): Re-examining the ecological continuum from forest to sea and its impact on human industries such as fisheries.
② The Cycle of Resources (Utilizing Untapped Resources): Transforming regional challenges such as overgrown bamboo forests into resources for environmental regeneration.
③ The Cycle of People (Exchange and Succession): Creating spaces for diverse participants to meet and pass wisdom and culture to the next generation.
Program Overview
■ April 22 (Wednesday) — Uwanada Watershed Symposium
Theme: "Thinking About the Forest-River-Sea Cycle from the Coast — Leveraging Regional Resources as Industry." The program includes a keynote lecture by Tatsuya Ogiwara, President & CEO of Iyosui Co., Ltd., panel discussions, field work in Namekata Gorge, and the sharing of related research by the Mori Akira Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. An evening networking reception featuring local Uwanada watershed ingredients and Italian-style pizza will also be held.
■ April 23 (Thursday) — Shimanto River Watershed Symposium
Theme: "The Forest-River-Sea Cycle and Watershed Collaboration Through Food — Sharing Regional Ingredients and Knowledge, Moving Toward the Next Action." The program includes panel discussions featuring river fishermen, sea fishermen, chefs, researchers, and government officials, field work along the Shimanto River, and research sharing by the Mori Akira Laboratory. An evening reception featuring Shimanto River watershed ingredients and Italian-style pizza will be held.
■ April 24 (Friday) — Community Event Pre-Night
Participants will join a group bamboo-cutting session in an overgrown bamboo forest and spend the evening preparing for the following day's "Burning Meguro" event.
■ April 25 (Saturday) — Community Event "Burning Meguro"
Bamboo cut from overgrown forest is transformed into ceremonial fire and ultimately returned to the earth as charcoal — a contemporary "offering" event. Designed as a model for environmental regeneration through enjoyment, it creates a space of community connection ("yui") between residents and participants.
■ Permanent Exhibition: Yamaji Momoka "Ametsuchi Cards" Original Art Exhibition
An exhibition of 36 original illustrations from the "Ametsuchi Cards" series, depicting the grand cycle of life flowing between forest, river, and sea. Created by artist Yamaji Momoka based on sensations and messages received from nature by nature activist Funakoshi Yukiro, the works are rendered in a storybook-like style with soft light, distinctive interpretations, and intricate detail. The originals convey an energy that reproductions cannot fully capture.
Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Mori WEEK 2026 @Meguro |
| Theme | Two Watersheds Connected from the Nanyo Alps: Uwanada Sea × Shimanto River |
| Dates | April 22 (Wednesday) to April 25 (Saturday), 2026 |
| Venue | Mori no Kuni Valley, Meguro, Matsuno-cho, Ehime Prefecture (Namekata Gorge area and related watershed areas) |
| Program | 4/22 Uwanada Watershed Symposium / 4/23 Shimanto River Watershed Symposium / 4/24 Bamboo Cutting Group Work & Pre-Night / 4/25 Burning Meguro / Permanent Exhibition: Yamaji Momoka "Ametsuchi Cards" Original Art Exhibition |
| Target Participants | Government and municipal officials, fishery and aquaculture industry professionals, researchers, food and restaurant professionals, tourism operators, local residents, and others |
| Admission (tax included) | Symposium participation: Free / Reception: ¥5,000 / Accommodation (breakfast included, 4-person shared room): ¥11,000 / (breakfast included, 2-person room per person): ¥16,000 / (breakfast included, private single room): ¥23,000 |
| Capacity | Each symposium: approximately 30 on-site (online participation available) / Community event: up to 50 |
| Application Deadline | April 15, 2026 (Wednesday) — or until full |
Registration
Registration is available through the event application form. Select the programs you wish to attend and submit your application.
- Event details: https://morino-kuni.com/news/mori-week2026/
- Application form: https://moriweek2026.peatix.com/view
