Wakayama Prefecture has long been known as “Kishu, the Land of Trees” and has been positioned as a forestry region that produces excellent timber.

Forests cover 77% of Wakayama Prefecture, of which 346,000 ha (95% of the total forest area) is privately owned.

Currently, 209,000 ha, or 61% of the private forest area, is planted forest, and the available resources are mature, with the age structure peaking at 11 years old and approximately 80% at 9 years old or older.

Kishu lumber is highly valued for its strength, color, and texture as a residential timber, and is attracting attention as a timber suitable for "wooden house construction.

The cedar logs won the Emperor's Cup in the forestry category in 2021.

The Yamacho Shoten Group of Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, which has been in existence since the Edo period, was awarded the Emperor's Cup in the forestry category of the 60th Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival in recognition of its continued supply of high-quality Kishu lumber under the basic philosophy of "using the right tree for the right place to make the most effective use of the land.