Shibuya Flower Project Volunteers Helping to Keep the Tokyo Clean

Copyright Shibuya Flower Project

The Shibuya Flower Project is a volunteer initiative organized mainly by youth, ranging from students to working people, calling themselves the "Shibuhana" in Shibuya -- a local shopping, dining and entertainment district very popular with young people in Tokyo. With their base at the Moyai statue flowerbed in front of the Shibuya train station, the volunteers grow flowers on the side of Miyashita Koen Park and along Shibuya Park Street (Shibuya Koen Dori).

The Shibuhana first started their activities for the "Earth Day Tokyo 2003," environmental event, which was held in April 2003, by putting 1,000 pots of flowers around the Moyai statue, a popular meeting spot. Aiming to raise environmental awareness and make the city cleaner and greener by planting flowers, volunteers work there once a week in the center of Shibuya, a place where the streets are often littered with garbage and cigarette butts.

Participants are rewarded with "earth day money," a community currency accepted by a number of cafes and shops in Shibuya. The Shibuhana are expanding their activities by holding events in collaboration with environmental organizations and companies related to Shibuya. Young volunteers who have enjoyed participating in the activities are introduced on the group's blog on its website.

Posted: 2010/12/02 06:00:15 AM