The Man Who Raised the Value of Akaishi Goyomatsu
Mr. Junichi Moritaka, the chairman of Akaishi-no-Izumi, an agricultural production corporation, has an excellent eye for bonsai. He is able to recognize good quality bonsai material as if he were finding a diamond in the rough and turn it into a first class bonsai. There are so many artistic bonsai in his garden that it could be called a museum. He also cultivates many bonsai for overseas markets and has exported "Akaishi Goyomatsu" to Europe. The bonsai that were exported to meet Mr. Moritaka's expectations were highly appreciated by overseas enthusiasts, further increasing the fame of Akaishi Goyomatsu.
Taking Local to the World
Mr. Moritaka is not only the chairman of Akaishi-no-Izumi, but also the chairman of the Akaishi Goyomatsu Export Promotion Association as a representative of the local producers. With his strong passion for Akaishi Goyomatsu and his hometown, his efforts to make Akaishi Goyomatsu a global bonsai brand will bear great fruit in October 2019. He presented his bonsai to Pope Francis. The image of Mr. Moritaka in the audience was covered by many media, and Akaishi Goyomatsu's fame was confirmed both in Japan and abroad.
Tackling a major project in the bonsai world
Mr. Moritaka's work became known to growers and bonsai people all over the country, and became a ray of hope for those involved in the shrinking bonsai market. As more and more growers consulted with Mr. Moritaka, the branding and exporting movement spread not only to Akaishi Goyomatsu but also to other production areas, and Mr. Moritaka's work became the future of the bonsai industry. His current project, the establishment of a Japanese-owned bonsai management shelf in Germany, is a ray of hope for the bonsai industry, as it will enable seamless export of bonsai to Europe.
Teamwork
Mr. Kazuhiro Sato, the representative of Akaishi no Izumi, supports Mr. Moritaka who is busy with the work of the industry association. Mr. Sato was a friend of Mr. Moritaka's from high school, and by chance, Mr. Moritaka brought him into the bonsai industry. Mr. Sato knew nothing about bonsai, but Mr. Moritaka's passion for Akaishi Goyomatsu got him into bonsai, and he has been working with bonsai every day to protect the Akaishi Goyomatsu brand.
With a view to turning it into a tourist plantation
Akaishi No Izumi is now looking at the next stage in its development, using the world-renowned Akaishi Goyomatsu as a tourism resource. This Akaishi Goyomatsu production area in Doi-machi, Shikokuchuo City, has no shortage of bonsai trees planted in the fields and bonsai gardens to entertain visitors. However, lodging facilities are not available, and the area is currently lacking in tourism. Therefore, as a production area, we hope to make it possible to enjoy tourism through bonsai, from lodging to bonsai experience. Moritaka and Sato's strong love for their hometown is the driving force behind the Akaishi no Izumi project, and they are moving forward with more and more supporters. We can't help but look forward to the future of Akaishi Goyomatsu and its production area.
Agricultural corporation Akaishi No Izumi
- Address
- 1525 Kou Ueno, Doi-cho, Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture
- Phone Number
- 0896-74-2698
