Yuuki Sakurazawa

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Hiroki Sakurazawa
Nature Guide｜Botanist｜Former Environment Ministry Ranger
─ A Master of Detours ─ An independent natural scientist born in the Akigawa Valley on the mountain side of Tokyo ─
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【 ABOUT 】
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Born and raised in the Akigawa Valley on the mountain side of Tokyo.
After working on Japanese biodiversity research at the herbarium associated with Dr. Tomitaro Makino, where he holds a Master of Science degree in plant systematics and taxonomy, he spent 18 years as a nature conservation officer (ranger) for the Ministry of the Environment,
standing on the front lines of nature conservation and national park management in Japan. He wears three hats: researcher, administrator, and educator.

Having served as an advisor and guest on NHK's nature programs for eight years, he possesses the ability to communicate biodiversity in an easily understandable way.

Currently based in his hometown of Akigawa Valley, he practices daily "detours" and river clean-up activities while working as an instructor for inquiry-based nature experience learning programs for urban families.

He elevates the regional geostory nurtured by Tokyo's national parks into programs that allow participants to experience the region with all five senses.

【EXPERTISE】Specialization
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◆ Botany and Biodiversity
　・ Master of Science (Plant Systematics and Taxonomy), Tokyo Metropolitan University Graduate School
　・ Engaged in research at the Makino Herbarium (housing approximately 500,000 plant specimens)
　　 Main research theme: Intraspecific diversity of Japanese species of Chrysosplenium and Epipactis

◆ Environmental Administration (18 years)
　① Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation Bureau, Nature Conservation Officer (Ranger)
　　 ・ Basic surveys for natural environment conservation and biological specimen management at the Biodiversity Center of the Ministry of the Environment
　　 ・ Responsible for planning, coordination, and public awareness activities regarding biodiversity in Japan

　② Ministry of the Environment, Kinki Regional Environment Office
　　 ・ Engaged in natural restoration projects in Yoshino-Kumano National Park (Odaigahara, Nara Prefecture)
　　 ・ Responsible for wildlife damage and overuse countermeasures in national parks, such as the Nishi-Odai Use Adjustment Area

　③ Akiruno City Hall
　　 ・Formulation of the Local Bounty Forest Concept
　　　・ Instructor, Akiruno Forest Rangers
　　　・ Manager, Utilizing Former School Facilities
　　　　(Komiya Hometown Nature Experience School, Tokura Experience Training Center)
　　　・ Secretariat, Akigawa River Basin Geopark Promotion Project

◆ Media & Education
　　・ NHK E-tele "Narikiri Mu-nyan Animal Academy"
　　 Program advisor and performer for 8 years
　　・ Numerous program collaborations, including NHK Special "Super Evolution Theory"
　　・ Conducting events utilizing former schools and local revitalization activities at the community development group "Itsukaichi Goen Branch School"

【FIELD ACTIVITIES】Field Activities
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◆ Akigawa River Cleanup: Launch and Leadership
　　・ Started a voluntary river cleanup after seeing the trash left behind by tourists
　　・ Connected with people inside and outside the region through SNS postings
　　Established the river cleaning group "Akigawa River Cleanup"
　• Continues regular group cleaning activities to this day

◆ Daily Detours & Litter Picking
　• Continues picking up litter while strolling through the Akigawa Valley almost every day
　• Collecting past litter, understanding the present, and creating the future—
　Embodying this philosophy through action

◆ Instructor for Inquiry-Based Nature Experience Learning
　　• Provides nature experience programs for families in urban areas
　　• Based on the geostory of the Akigawa Valley,
　structures content that allows participants to learn about the survival strategies of living things in a fun way while experiencing them with all five senses

【PERSONAL STORY】Personal Story
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After working at the Kinki Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment, I realized something.

"Regional issues will not change unless local people think for themselves and take action."
Based on that belief, I changed jobs to the Akiruno City Hall in my hometown.
While actively involved in solving local issues both professionally and personally, I repeatedly participated in training programs in advanced rural areas, continuously exploring the potential of local resources.

However, around the time I began to feel the limitations of rigid organizations and the local culture,
I encountered a deplorable pile of garbage left behind by tourists during my daily morning detour.
That sight was the starting point for everything.

I began river cleanups on my own, and when I shared my efforts on social media,
people from both within and outside the region gathered, and the "Akigawa River Cleanup" was born.
Eventually, I met fellow river cleanup enthusiasts who were also doing river cleanups in the Akigawa River,
which led to today's field activities.

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"Collecting past waste, understanding the current state of waste,
I head to the river again today to create a future without waste.
I believe that this repetition will change the community."

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She studied plants for her master's degree, protected national parks as a ranger,
shared the charm of wildlife on NHK, built communities at the city hall, and takes detours every morning.
All of these experiences have accumulated to form the "depth" of her current role as a guide.

【VALUES】Values and Beliefs
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　▸ By enabling each individual to thrive in a place where they can demonstrate their strengths,
　　 a diverse and interesting society will be born.
　　 ─ There is no need to compare oneself to others using the same metrics.

　▸ Recover the past, grasp the present, and create the future.
　　 ─ Daily litter picking is the practical application of this philosophy.

　▸ Continuously hone the "sensitivity to notice" the value of local resources.

【VISION & MISSION】Vision and Mission
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　Vision
　　By showing adults how to live happily with dreams,
　　 we will create a country where children can have big dreams and take on challenges.

　Mission
　　To practice and continue "support to hone sensitivity"
　　 in order to notice the essential value of local resources and how to utilize them.

【LINKS】 】
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Why does the "Michikusa Master" pick up trash on the riverbank every day? (Audio)
https://r.voicy.jp/A0G9JrqZ9g1

Why can Tokyo's mountain-side exploration-type tourism solve urban and rural issues? (note)
https://note.com/akigawavalley/n/n23558abe6e25

Same as above (Audio)
https://voicy.jp/channel/2469/538181

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