Welcome to Bouken
• Bouken Kazoku (bo-ken kazoku, “adventure family” in Japanese)
A getaway where nature, culture and human bonding join together at the foot of Mt. Yotei in Hokkaido, Japan.
• History
o Bouken Kazoku
20 years ago, we moved to Hokkaido upon seeing our own children getting dependent on the convenience brought about by modern technology and losing the ability of critical thinking, improvising, and interacting with nature. Bouken Kazoku was established in 1993, providing the opportunity to experience self-sustaining life, hands-on cultural activities and natural excursions.
o Building
The time-honored wooden building of Bouken Kazoku was Hirafu Elementary School, which was a model school of bird-watching activities, and eventually shut down because of the low enrollment. In Bouken Kazoku, you can still see the paintings of birds by schoolchildren and teachers. Now, the schoolhouse welcomes you with its nostalgic sentiment, classroom-converted guestrooms, and an array of fun activities you can try your hands on.
• Japanese Cultural Workshops
o Experience Japanese culture in DIY workshops.
 Straw-sandals: Make your own exclusive straw sandals, like the old-days!
 Traditional toys: Make toys guns using bamboo and newspaper, and other fun stuff!

• Natural expeditions and hands-on workshops
Outdoor expeditions:
All outdoor activities led by explorer Anan (Otosan of Bouken) and professional staff as your outdoors expert.

Summer:
• Whitewater rafting: Build your own raft and down the stream we go!
• Mud spring: Hike up to the crater of a sleeping volcano and enjoy the all-natural mud spring. Great for the skin!
• Fishing: Learn how to fish in natural creeks of Hokkaido!
• Wild vegetable picking: Hike in nearby hills and learn about the gifts from mother nature
• Farming: Get your hands dirty and feel the magic of soil.
Winter:
• Snowshoeing: Walk in the silence of the snow and catch glimpses of wild animals.
• Igloo building and staying overnight: Make your own igloo and stay inside overnight!
Hands-on workshops
Led by Otosan/ Okasan of Bouken and professional staff.

• Natural dye: Make beautiful patterns on fabric with all-natural dye derived from plants.
• All-natural cooking workshops
• Learn how to make ice cream out of eggs laid by Bouken-raised chicken and fresh-from-the-farm milk!
• Make all-natural smoked sausages from scratch!
• Smoke your own cheese, egg and sausage.

• Restaurant
At Japanese Kitchen Bouken, we’ve combined our love for nature, great food, and Japanese culture. In a 76-year-old wooden house that was an elementary school, we’re having fun with the best local produce we can find, complementing it with hand-picked wild vegetables, and serving it with neighborhood warmth. Our “Okaasan” cooks Japanese family-style meals with fresh-from-the-farm ingredients. We also brew our exclusive organic “tree-sap coffee,” replacing water with early spring sap from birch, maple and walnut trees.