NPO Mirai no Mori

What NPO Mirai no Mori does

NPO Mirai no Mori is a certified Specified Nonprofit Corporation (認定特定非営利活動法人) headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, that delivers outdoor experiential education programs for abused, neglected, and orphaned children living in Japan's approximately 600 residential care homes. Founded in 2013 (with its first summer camp held in 2011), the organization serves beneficiaries aged roughly 6–18 who must transition to independent living at age 18, a population facing limited outdoor experience, few diverse adult role models, and inadequate preparation for self-sufficiency. Its program portfolio comprises a 5-day residential Summer Camp in Miyagi Prefecture (serving approximately 100 children annually across three sessions from nine care homes), monthly Back to Nature weekend programs (hiking, stream walking, forestry/Kikori, rafting, nature crafts, snow programs) in the Greater Tokyo area, the Leader in Training (LIT) program for high school students, and a Graduate Program that maintains engagement with alumni after they leave care. The underlying "technology" is a structured outdoor pedagogy built on the Embracing–Empowering–Believing framework, delivered through nature-based challenges designed to develop resilience, communication, teamwork, and self-confidence.

Programs are operated by a small full-time staff (1–10 professionals, including Executive Director Kozue Oka, plus Program, Operations, Administrative, and Project Managers) and rely on volunteer "super staff" and corporate employee volunteers who serve as role models. As a certified NPO, Mirai no Mori charges beneficiaries nothing; revenue is generated through annual corporate sponsorships (Morgan Stanley, Oracle, IHG Hotels & Resorts, FedEx, KEEN, Adobe, Costco, Robert Half, Columbia Sportswear Japan, Maersk, Avery Dennison, Jo Malone London, and others), tax-deductible individual donations, in-kind contributions (gear, food, venue, pro-bono services), and community fundraising events (Charity Run, Imperial Palace Charity Walk, KIWL cycling challenge, touch rugby tournaments). The organization has earned the Japan Outdoor Leaders Award (2020) and the 6th Excellent NPO Award – Citizens Award (2018), and operates in the Kanto and Tohoku regions of Japan.

Name

NPO Mirai no Mori

Legal name

認定特定非営利活動法人みらいの森

Website

https://mirai-no-mori.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NPO Mirai no Mori is a Tokyo-based certified nonprofit that delivers outdoor experiential education programs—including summer camps, weekend nature activities, and leadership training—for abused, neglected, and orphaned children living in Japan's residential care homes, funded by corporate sponsorships and individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual partnerships and program sponsorships from corporations including Morgan Stanley, Oracle, IHG Hotels & Resorts, FedEx, KEEN, Adobe, and others. Corporate sponsors provide financial support, employee volunteers, and in-kind donations for programs.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals. Mirai no Mori is a certified NPO by Tokyo Metropolitan and Minato ward, enabling donors to receive income tax and resident tax deductions.
3. In-Kind Donations: Products and services donated by corporate partners including outdoor gear, food, venue space, and professional services (photography, video production, design work)
4. Charity Events: Fundraising through events including charity walks, runs, pub quizzes, whisky tastings, and touch rugby tournaments that engage the community and raise both funds and awareness

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NPO Mirai no Mori is a certified nonprofit that designs and delivers outdoor experiential programs for abused, neglected, and orphaned children living in care homes across Japan. Its portfolio includes a 5-day Summer Camp in Miyagi Prefecture, monthly Back to Nature weekend programs in the Greater Tokyo area, a Leader in Training program for high school students, and a Graduate Program supporting alumni after they leave care. Programs are funded through corporate sponsorships, individual donations, in-kind contributions, and charity events rather than fees paid by beneficiaries.

Product overview

NPO Mirai no Mori operates a portfolio of outdoor experiential programs designed for abused, neglected, and orphaned children living in Japanese care homes. The organization offers a tiered program structure: the core Summer Camp (5-day residential in Miyagi Prefecture) and Back to Nature weekend programs (hiking, forestry, rafting, nature crafts, snow programs at locations including Mitake and Takao); the Leader in Training Program for high school students developing leadership skills; and the Graduate Program providing continued support for former participants. Additional offerings include Corporate Partnership Programs enabling employee volunteering and workplace visits, Care Home Visits bringing activities directly to facilities, and Charity Events for community fundraising. Programs are delivered year-round with corporate sponsor support and focus on building life skills through outdoor experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Camp A 5-day residential outdoor program held in Miyagi Prefecture with 4 nights of camping, offering activities such as hiking, stream walking, outdoor cooking, and team-building challenges for children from care homes.
• Back to Nature Program Monthly weekend day programs offering diverse outdoor activities including hiking, nature crafts, forestry (Kikori), rafting, snow programs, and farm experiences, held at locations such as Mitake and Takao in Tokyo.
• Leader in Training (LIT) Program A leadership development program for high school students who have participated in camp programs, providing opportunities to develop problem-solving, teamwork, and mentorship skills as they transition out of care homes.
• Graduate Program A continuing support program for former camp participants who have left care homes, offering reunion events, skill-building workshops, career guidance, and ongoing community connection through activities like rafting, goal-setting workshops, and awareness talks.
• Corporate Partnership Programs Corporate engagement offerings including employee volunteer programs, workplace visits for LIT students, skills workshops (communication, project management), pro-bono services, and charity events that connect corporate sponsors with program participants.
• Care Home Visits Special visits to partner care homes that bring outdoor program activities, crafts, and festive celebrations directly to children, often featuring corporate volunteer participation and gift-giving events.
• Charity Events Community fundraising events including charity runs, pub quizzes, touch rugby tournaments, whisky evenings, BBQ events, and the annual Imperial Palace Charity Walk that engage individual supporters and raise funds for programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Summer camp serves approximately 100 children per year across 3 sessions with 4-night, 5-day residential programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Morgan StanleycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2013Annual partner and long-term sponsor since 2018. Morgan Stanley employees volunteer at Back to Nature programs as role models, sponsor care home visits, and participate in Global Volunteer Month. Multiple programs per year including nature crafts, awareness talks, and special visits.
• IHG Hotels & ResortscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner since 2025 providing internship programs, workplace visits, charity walk-a-thon sponsorship, and film screening events for LIT participants and graduates.
• OraclecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing volunteers for Back to Nature programs (Kikori forestry, crafts) and hosting workshops on project management for LITs and graduates.
• FedExmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram sponsor for Back to Nature hiking programs. FedEx employee volunteers serve as role models in outdoor activities including monthly hiking programs.
• KEENcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term partner and annual sponsor since early years. Provides shoes and crafts for children, sponsors Winter Party, and supports LIT internship programs at their retail stores. KEEN Japan's Managing Director Hilda Chan serves as Board Member.
• AdobemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing employee volunteers for Back to Nature hiking and Easter programs. Adobe Foundation supports community programs.
• Costco WholesalecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind donor providing outdoor snacks, food, and supplies for programs. Ongoing partnership since 2014 supporting all major programs including summer camp and snow programs.
• Robert HalfmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Imperial Palace Charity Walk (2025 with 290 participants raising 1,389,000 yen) and Christmas Back to Nature programs with employee volunteers.
• Knights in White Lycra (KIWL)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner for 500km annual cycling challenge since 2016. Organizes charity rides, Santa rides, and BBQ events. 7th year partnership in 2026. Major fundraiser for the organization.
• Mori to OdorucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term program partner providing forestry expertise, tools, and guidance for Kikori (lumberjack) programs. Essential partner for outdoor education activities.
• Wild TamemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPro-bono video production partner creating impact videos for the organization. Ongoing supporter providing multimedia content for marketing and fundraising.
• Michael PagemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner hosting communication workshops for LITs and graduates. Provides career guidance and professional development support for program participants.
• Dom Dom BurgermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing food and gifts for Christmas care home programs. CEO participates in person and provides special gifts for children.
• Custom MediamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite design partner and ongoing supporter. Designed the organization's website and provides ongoing digital support.
• MaerskmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for workplace visit program. Hosted LIT students and graduates at Yokohama office and port facilities for logistics industry career exploration.
• Columbia Sportswear JapanmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace visit program host since 2024. Provided office tour, career talks from multiple departments, and gifts including backpacks. Ambassador and mountaineer Ito Tomo also shared experiences.
• Jo Malone LondonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreated charity candle collection in 2022, with 75% of proceeds donated to Mirai no Mori. Ongoing supporter with raffle prize donations.
• Avery DennisonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Back to Nature programs including Easter Game Day and Dairy Farm Day. Pro-bono design of camper passports and T-shirts.
• English AdventurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner that supported the first summer camp in 2011. Mirai no Mori Friend (みらいの森フレンズ) supporter organization.
• NomadicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder Jeff Jensen is co-founder and COO of Nomadics, an outdoor gear distributor. Long-standing supporter and resource provider.
• Otakara AidminorOthersSocial business partner allowing users to donate unwanted items ('treasures') which are converted to donations.
• Energy FundingminorOthersSocial business partner where a portion of electricity bills is donated to selected organizations.
• Support4GoodminorOthersJapan's first retail affiliate website connecting NPO community with shoppers.
• ZERO PCminorOthersPurchase donations program where a portion of ZERO PC purchases supports social causes.
• FEW JapanminorOthersOrganization enabling internationally-minded women in Japan to achieve professional and personal potential. Partner in supporting the mission.
• Promat Japan (Etex Group)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner hosting office visit for employees to learn about Mirai no Mori's mission and programs.
• Eco MarathonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for annual Charity Run at Futako Tamagawa. 137 participants in 2025 raising 1,024,000 yen.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SOS Children's Villages Japan: Japan affiliate of SOS Children's Villages, providing alternative family-based care and youth support for children without parental care. Directly comparable as a Japan-based nonprofit serving institutionalized and orphaned children with long-term support programs.
• Ashinaga Foundation: Japanese nonprofit that provides educational and emotional support to orphaned students, including scholarships and leadership development. Directly comparable as a Japan-focused NPO serving orphans and care-leavers with longitudinal programs transitioning youth to independence at age 18.
• Outward Bound Japan: Japan branch of the Outward Bound Trust, delivering outdoor experiential education for youth development. Closely comparable given the shared outdoor-based, experiential learning methodology for personal resilience and life skills.
• ChildFund Japan: Japanese affiliate of ChildFund International, supporting children's welfare and development both domestically and abroad. Comparable as a Japan-based child welfare NPO with corporate partner engagement and individual donor base.
• Save the Children Japan: Japan arm of Save the Children, working on child welfare, education, and protection. Comparable as a major Japan-based children's NPO with similar donor, corporate partnership, and program delivery models.
• Plan International Japan: Japanese affiliate of Plan International focused on children's rights, gender equality, and youth development. Comparable as a Japan-based NPO serving vulnerable children with corporate and individual donor support.
• NPO Florence: Japanese nonprofit that provides support services for children and families, including after-school care and child welfare programs. Comparable as a Japan-based children's NPO with corporate partnerships and direct program delivery to vulnerable children.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters International: Global mentoring nonprofit pairing at-risk youth with adult role models. Comparable in its role-model-centric model serving vulnerable youth, though its delivery mechanism is one-on-one mentoring rather than outdoor programming.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): U.S.-based nonprofit providing outdoor leadership education for youth and adults. Comparable methodology (outdoor experiential learning for life skills and leadership) though not focused on at-risk or institutionalized youth specifically.
• Kids' Village Japan (NPO Kodomo no Sono): Japanese NPO supporting children in care homes and at-risk youth through community-based programs. Comparable mission (supporting institutionalized youth in Japan) with smaller scale and similar volunteer-driven delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzRqM7W8yQpUyD_0Z5gK7_A
• Facebookfacebook.com/MiraiNoMori
• Instagraminstagram.com/mirainomorijapan
• Xx.com/mirai_no_mori
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/npo-mirai-no-mori

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NPO Mirai no Mori