Monday, April 20, 2026
- 1 My heart is filled with joy! Picking up trash is like a treasure hunt!
- 2 Let's create a "garbage map" with an AI app! ~HighLab's Mattsun's challenge~
- 3 Let's go! The "treasure hunt" begins now!
- 4 Guess the weight of the trash! Team competition: Weight challenge
- 5 Let's sort our trash properly! Sorting time
- 6 Himarie Experience ~3D Printers and a Place for Learning the Future~
- 7 The encounter between Hokuryu Town and HighLab ~A connection made through Education Superintendent Yoshiki Tanaka~
- 8 With smiles, souvenirs, and on to next month!
- 9 YouTube videos
- 10 Other photos
- 11 Related articles
My heart is filled with joy! Picking up trash is like a treasure hunt!
![Let's clean up our town together—a day for litter cleanup and fun! [Minna no Hiroba Onigiri]](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/fe7492ab509b70ebd9fede3cd47a2e5c.jpg)
![Let's clean up our town together—a day for litter cleanup and fun! [Minna no Hiroba Onigiri]](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/6008b9f931fb343b5666d90f41eabeb2.jpg)
On Saturday, April 18th, at 10:00 AM, the event hosted by Minna no Hiroba "Omusubi"Litter cleanup & play dayIt has started.
There was a light drizzle in the morning, and we were worried about the weather, but when it was time for the event, the sky turned into a calm spring day with the sun occasionally peeking through. More than 20 adults and children gathered in high spirits.
On the reception table was a sign that read "Reception" with a sunflower painted on it. Teams were decided by drawing lots. The teams were divided into four colors: blue, red, purple, and pink, and each team was given a route map in their respective color and a litter-picking bingo card.
The bingo card lists items such as "glass shards, paper scraps, plastic string, cigarettes, wood chips, empty cans, plastic bags, and twigs," with the center left blank. Each team leader wears the card around their neck and carefully circles the trash they pick up.
Let's create a "garbage map" with an AI app! ~HighLab's Mattsun's challenge~
Before departure, we were introduced to the General Incorporated Association HighLab (G-experience LLC)Makoto MatsuuraHe is affectionately known as "Mattsun" by the children.
For this project, Mattsun developed an AI-powered app specifically for litter picking. When you take a picture of the litter you pick up with your smartphone camera, the AI automatically identifies the type of litter and uses GPS to record its location on a map.
"When children pick up trash, it's difficult for them to remember where they picked it up. So, we created an AI-powered app that can pinpoint the location using GPS. We'd like to work together today to put it into a system."
The children's eyes lit up as they watched the app screen displayed on the monitor. "If we take a picture, will the AI tell us what kind of trash it is?" — That sense of excitement spread throughout the venue.
Let's go! The "treasure hunt" begins now!
"Picking up trash is like a treasure hunt!" — With this motto, the four teams set off on their colorful routes.
With gloves on, tongs in hand, and bingo cards in hand, everyone was completely serious. But their faces also showed a hint of excitement and exhilaration.
"I found it!"
"what is this?"
"What about the app's photo recognition?"
"I made the judgment correctly! Huh? This judgment is wrong!"
"Look at this trash lying around!"
"I've got a bingo with the trash! Double bingo!"
From tiny pieces of trash to large items like tree branches, both children and adults become engrossed in picking them up.
And then, one after another, "unusual pieces of trash" pop out.Iron plate、crab shell、eggshell、Sponge material stick、walnut、Pill bugEven living creatures made an appearance, causing the audience to erupt in laughter. The land of Hokuryu is unique, even the trash is distinctive.
In a short time of 40 minutes, using only photographic records...70 points or higherThe following types of trash were collected. Plastic was the most common, followed by 7 cigarettes, 4 cans/metal items, 3 pieces of paper, 2 food items, and 1 piece of glass. A "town trash map" revealed by the data was displayed on the monitor.
Guess the weight of the trash! Team competition: Weight challenge
What awaited everyone upon their return to the facility was,Weight showdownEach team will estimate how many kilograms of trash they have collected, and then the actual weight will be measured.
"Maybe around 1.5 kilograms?" "No, it's at least 2 kilograms!" "5 kilograms! Definitely 5 kilograms!" — The teams huddled together, desperately trying to guess the weight by comparing it to dumbbells and 2-liter plastic bottles. Some teams played it safe and answered broadly, "1.5 to 2 kilograms," which drew laughter.
Results announced!
- Purple Team:Estimated weight: 2kg → Actual weight: 2kg 2.5kg(Error -0.5kg)
- Blue team:Expected weight: 1.5 kg → Actual weight: 1.6kg(Error -100g)
- Pink Team:Expected weight: 1.5 kg → Actual weight: 800g(Error 700g)
- Red Team:Estimated 5kg → Actual measurement 2.4kg(Error 2.6kg)
The one that collected the most trash wasPurple Team (2.5kg)！
The prediction was the most accurateBlue team (error margin of 100g)！
The sense of accomplishment became clear through the numbers. Everyone erupted in loud applause.
Let's sort our trash properly! Sorting time
Next, it's time to learn how to properly sort the trash we've collected.
Matsun uses an AI app to display mysterious trash on a monitor. A town hall official who was present at the venue explained the trash sorting method, which was said to be "unique to Hokuryu Town."
"It's made of plastic, so it's non-burnable waste."
Something resembling a bottle cap also appeared. The AI identified it as a plastic bottle cap, but it was actually a can cap. Laughter erupted as everyone confirmed the correct way to sort the waste.
After putting their gloves back on, everyone worked together in perfect harmony. They quickly and efficiently sorted their waste into burnable, non-burnable, empty cans, empty bottles, and plastic bottles! Seeing both adults and children seriously engaged in the task was truly inspiring and radiant.
Himarie Experience ~3D Printers and a Place for Learning the Future~
After picking up trash,"Himarie"A time for sightseeing and hands-on activities.
Himarie is a learning space where you can play with technology and explore various things.
Currently, a new space is being created within the social welfare council, aiming to be a place where people can play and learn using 3D printers and programming.
The children's eyes lit up when,3D printerA sunflower-shaped keychain was prepared as a surprise gift for everyone.
"Today's event is the first time I'll be meeting everyone at Onigiri, so I'm planning to give everyone a sunflower-shaped keychain that I made with a 3D printer as a gift," says Mattsun.
The smiles of children picking up small sunflower keychains filled the venue.
The encounter between Hokuryu Town and HighLab ~A connection made through Education Superintendent Yoshiki Tanaka~
The following anecdote was shared about Mattsun's connection to Hokuryu Town.
"Our connection with Hokuryu Town began last December when Superintendent of Education Yoshiki Tanaka and others visited Gojome Town in Akita Prefecture. When we explained HighLab to them, they showed great interest in the idea of 'children creating jobs and learning while playing.' We are very much looking forward to working together on this project."
In the gentle smile that Mattsun-san spoke, his warm feelings for the children of Hokuryu Town were clearly evident.
With smiles, souvenirs, and on to next month!
At the end of the event, participants received sweets and instant noodles as prizes, and Himari-san also gave them sunflower keychains as gifts. The children happily went home, carefully clutching their yellow bags.
The "Onigiri" (rice ball) litter cleanup event was born from a call to "let's all clean up our town." It was like an adventure to find hidden "treasures" in every corner of town.
Adults and children alike laughed, learned, and worked up a sweat, uniting their hearts on this spring day.
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we offer our heartfelt support to "Minna no Hiroba Onigiri," a joyful event where children, who will shape the future of Hokuryu Town, quietly cultivate affection and pride for their town through litter cleanup.
Next timeOn Saturday, May 9th, there will be pinball at the Improvement Center.The event, andMay 17th (Sunday) "Let's walk together"It is scheduled to take place. Please join us!
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
![Here's a look at the snowmelt in April. This time, we started from "Observation Hill," located right next to Hokuryu Onsen, and ventured towards Bibaushi. [Hokuryu Town Sunflower Tourism Association, Yuto Sakai]](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-20-5.18.00-375x293.jpg)
![🌻 Today's daily lunch special on Saturday, April 18th was curry ramen ♪ [Himawari Restaurant]](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-21-8.07.32-375x279.jpg)
