飛騨市 天生の森と人のプロジェクト 
飛騨市

Hida City: The Forest and People of Amou Project 
Hida city

Category: environment Date: 2022

We developed a signage system for Amou Prefectural Natural Park, located deep in the mountains of Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. The design aims to guide visitors safely along complex mountain trails while conveying the relationship between people and the forest. The sign bodies combine locally sourced hinoki cypress with aluminum panels finished in a gray tone subtly infused with blue-green, ensuring legibility while harmonizing with the landscape. Kaisho-style Japanese typeface is used for the display, reflecting the history of this forest associated with the legend of the birth of the “Hida no Takumi” master craftsmen.
 In addition, warning signs such as “Beware of Bears,” along with signage conveying the ingenuity of forest wardens, are distributed throughout the site to communicate the meaning of entering deep nature and the relationship between humans and the forest. The signage employs traditional Hida joinery, allowing it to be modularized for manual transport and on-site assembly without heavy machinery. This approach reduces environmental impact while enabling sustainable maintenance through component-level replacement. Furthermore, the application of wood vinegar, a byproduct of local charcoal production, helps prevent weathering and animal damage while maintaining harmony with the surrounding landscape. Developed through collaboration between the public and private sectors, the project incorporates a system for passing on local wood culture and craftsmanship. It positions signage not merely as a means of information delivery, but as a medium that connects people, nature, and regional culture.

Co-creation: Hida City Kawai Promotion Office, Keiki Planning Co., Ltd.
Silver Award, Japan Sign Design Association (SDA) Awards