{"id":73725,"date":"2026-04-20T09:36:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T00:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/?p=73725"},"modified":"2026-04-20T21:25:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T12:25:49","slug":"%e3%81%bf%e3%82%93%e3%81%aa%e3%81%ae%e5%ba%83%e5%a0%b4%e3%80%8c%e3%81%8a%e3%82%80%e3%81%99%e3%81%b3%e3%80%8d%e3%82%b4%e3%83%9f%e6%8b%be%e3%81%84%ef%bc%86%e9%81%8a%e3%81%b3%e3%81%ae%e6%97%a5%e3%81%af","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/en\/73725\/","title":{"rendered":"At the "Omusubi" community square, a litter cleanup and play day turned into a town treasure hunt! ~ A spring day filled with fun for both adults and children, thanks to the Himarie AI app and bingo ~"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monday, April 20, 2026<\/p>\n

\nOn Saturday, April 18th, the "Garbage Collection & Play Day" event was held, organized by the community plaza "Omusubi." Over 20 adults and children split into four teams and headed out into the town with bingo cards in hand. Using an AI app developed by Matsuura Makoto (Mattsun) of the general incorporated association HighLab, the location of the garbage was recorded via GPS and the type of garbage was identified by the AI. It was a spring day where garbage collection turned into something like a "treasure hunt." The children of Hokuryu Town were smiling, learning, and developing a love for their town together with their friends.\n<\/div>\n

My heart is filled with joy! Picking up trash is like a treasure hunt!<\/h2>\n
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\n
\"Let's<\/a><\/div>\n
\"Let's<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

On Saturday, April 18th, at 10:00 AM, the event hosted by Minna no Hiroba "Omusubi"Litter cleanup & play day<\/strong>It has started.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"reception\"<\/a>
reception<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Course<\/a>
Course map & bingo card<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Masami<\/a>
Masami Abe (Social Welfare Council staff member) explains the bingo card.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let's create a "garbage map" with an AI app! ~HighLab's Mattsun's challenge~<\/h2>\n

Before departure, we were introduced to the General Incorporated Association HighLab (G-experience LLC)Makoto Matsuura<\/strong>He is affectionately known as "Mattsun" by the children.<\/p>\n

\"Makoto<\/a>
Makoto Matsuura and Tomoko Kitano (G-experience director) from HighLab
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

"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."<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"App<\/a>
App Garbage Map Explanation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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?" \u2014 That sense of excitement spread throughout the venue.<\/p>\n\n

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Related articles<\/div>\n
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\n HiLab | A digital technology hub for teenagers located in Gojome Town, Akita Prefecture.<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
"HighLab" is a hub where 10- to 18-year-olds can experience digital technology and create services and products.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"HiLab\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Related articles<\/div>\n
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\n https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/72533<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/72533\"\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

Let's go! The "treasure hunt" begins now!<\/h2>\n

"Picking up trash is like a treasure hunt!" \u2014 With this motto, the four teams set off on their colorful routes.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Let's<\/a>
Let's start by splitting into groups!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"It's<\/a>
It's right here!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n"I found it!"
\n"what is this?"
\n"What about the app's photo recognition?"
\n"I made the judgment correctly! Huh? This judgment is wrong!"
\n"Look at this trash lying around!"
\n"I've got a bingo with the trash! Double bingo!"\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From tiny pieces of trash to large items like tree branches, both children and adults become engrossed in picking them up.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>
What does this judgment mean?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"You<\/a>
You picked up so many!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And then, one after another, "unusual pieces of trash" pop out.Iron plate<\/strong>\u3001crab shell<\/strong>\u3001eggshell<\/strong>\u3001Sponge material stick<\/strong>\u3001walnut<\/strong>\u3001Pill bug<\/strong>Even living creatures made an appearance, causing the audience to erupt in laughter. The land of Hokuryu is unique, even the trash is distinctive.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/a>
How many did I manage to pick up?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a short time of 40 minutes, using only photographic records...70 points or higher<\/strong>The 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.<\/p>\n

Guess the weight of the trash! Team competition: Weight challenge<\/h2>\n

What awaited everyone upon their return to the facility was,Weight showdown<\/strong>Each team will estimate how many kilograms of trash they have collected, and then the actual weight will be measured.<\/p>\n

"Maybe around 1.5 kilograms?" "No, it's at least 2 kilograms!" "5 kilograms! Definitely 5 kilograms!" \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/a>
How many kilograms is it in total?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Results announced!<\/p>\n