Few years ago, we moved to this small mountainous hamlet, surrounded by great nature where you can encounter rare vertebrates such as salamanders and owls and precious insects such as Hotaria parvula, appasus and ranatra, aiming to a self-sufficient life instead of the past Tokyo urban life where we only had consumed everything.
We are still in a trial and error stage towards utilizing gifts of nature at maximum level, which we believe contributes local economy growth and global environment conservation. We are happy to think of the way how best we live on gifts of mountain/forest (trees, woods, natural herbs, games, mushrooms, insects) and farms (agricultural products, livestock) either processed or not. For instance, how to utilize flesh as well as born, antlers, hide and leathers of captured deer; which trees can be tea, natural medicine, or interior decorations, and produce delicious fruits; etc., etc. Our products are mainly sold in a direct sales depot. In addition, we also join a monthly organic farmers market where we can communicate with consumers directly. We also craft rice straw artifacts.
In parallel to WWOOF, we also run guest-house to accommodate travelers who are interested in enjoying such a rural life.
Besides, we are DIYing to maintain house-building and to rehabilitate a barn to open a cafe.
This is our life. Anyone who is interested in even a part of our life and willing to contribute your wisdom, skill or force, is warmly welcome.