This article was first published in Japanese in Litterae Populi magazine (Spring 2026, Vol. 76)

TANABE Marie
Representative Director, FUPUNOMORI Co., Ltd.
School of Economics and Business Graduate

As one enters the building, one is met with a soft, refreshing fragrance. Fupu no Mori Co., Ltd., with its distillery in Shimokawa Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido, utilizes the town’s forest resources—specifically Sakhalin fir—to manufacture and sell essential oils. When President Marie Tanabe pulls a chain to lift freshly steamed Sakhalin fir from the cauldron, the space is enveloped in an even deeper forest scent. Although Ms. Tanabe had dreamed of working with forests since childhood, she says, “it took many years to get here.” We asked how she made her dream a reality.

TANABE Marie

Born in Chitose City, Hokkaido. Graduated from the School of Economics and Business, Hokkaido University, in 1999. Gained experience in bridal flower work in Sapporo and Chitose. After working at an internet sales company, she relocated to Shimokawa Town in 2007. Took charge of an essential oil production business that uses Sakhalin fir branches and needles, and incorporated that business with a senior colleague in 2012. Became the Representative Director of Fupu no Mori Co., Ltd., a position she has held to this day. Launched the lifestyle brand NALUQ in 2015, currently selling cosmetics and aromatherapy goods featuring the scents of Hokkaido’s forests.

When did your interest in forests begin?

It started in elementary school, when I was drawn to the lifestyle depicted in stories like “Heidi, Girl of the Alps.” We didn’t have any forests nearby, but I was captivated by nature. In middle school, my dream was to work at a flower shop, but my love for the forest remained unchanged. In high school, I met a teacher who was researching wetland ecology, and I discovered the joy of learning about nature.

Why did you choose the Hokkaido University School of Economics and Business?

I’m from Chitose City and spent my childhood in Chitose and the Sapporo area. I had a strong attachment to Hokkaido and wanted to commute from home while attending university. I searched for a field within the humanities where I could study forests and nature, which led me to environmental economics. When I learned that Professor Fumikazu Yoshida was in Hokkaido University’s Economics Department, I strongly felt that “this is where I want to go.

How were you involved with forests during your student days?

The ecological research on plants and animals I did as an extracurricular activity left a strong impression on me. I stayed in places like Nukabira and Shiretoko, learning survey methods while measuring trees and counting deer. Through these surveys, I encountered Hokkaido’s nature and regional culture, and my world suddenly expanded. I also took courses in the School of Agriculture, and my seminar focused on Hokkaido’s forestry industry.

What path did you take after graduation?

I had only imagined working in forests as a researcher or in forestry. After much hesitation, I joined a company involved with flowers, fulfilling a dream I had held since middle school. Later, I felt I still wanted forest-related work, so I traveled around Japan observing forests. Even after completing that journey, I hadn’t found forest work. But when I returned to Hokkaido and saw the mountain scenery, I felt, “I can’t leave this place.”

Could you tell us how you came to encounter Shimokawa Town?

It was at the Eco-Products Exhibition in Tokyo. When I approached a staff member, they said, “If you want to work in the forest, why not go to Shimokawa Town?” I immediately looked it up and contacted the forestry association. Visiting the Sakhalin fir essential oil factory instantly brought back memories of my student days researching the trees, along with their distinctive scent. To prepare for working at a company related to the forest industry, I studied DTP design at a vocational school and gained experience at an internet sales company. After thorough preparation, I moved to Shimokawa Town in 2007.

Tell us about your current work and your future plans.

In 2012, I spun off the essential oil business from the NPO Forest Life and incorporated it as a company. I’m involved in everything from raw material production to sales. It’s challenging, but being able to handle such a wide range of work is incredibly rewarding. People who were involved in this work long before I came to Shimokawa Town are still here. While we’ve now taken over, how to pass this legacy on to the future is also a challenge for the town. As one of Shimokawa Town’s industries, I want to keep thinking about this together with the townspeople, consulting with everyone.

Lastly, do you have any words of encouragement for Hokkaido University students?

Even when researching forestry during my student days, I didn’t know about the essential oil business. If something interests you, it’s crucial to actually go to the field and listen to people’s stories. It’s okay to take a detour. I think you can choose your job in the end.