Satoyama Journey Blog

Exploring the forest of Minamioguni

So, when I first moved to Minamioguni, one of the first things I learned about was Minamioguni’s long history of forestry which has supported the town for more than 250 years. Especially the cultivation of cedar trees. Cultivating nature and reaping its blessings while also keeping balance and harmony in the eco-system. This is the…
Japan is finally open again!

Hello everyone, there has been a long time of silence during the wretched days of Corona but Japan is finally open again! And with this, foreign tourists! It almost feels surreal to see all these people from different countries walking around with their maps, backpacks, and confused faces. But let me tell you, it feels…
Gondo Charolais – Day camp!

Hello friends!I did it, I managed to write another post without waiting a year this time.Today is the 1st of June and the summer vibes are real! The temperature outside easily goes above 30 degrees and I can feel the creeping presence of insane Japanese humidity looming around the corner. But enough about that, I…
Mt. Aso Hiking! Suzume-iwa Ukai Route!

Hello! Long time no see! Max here! I haven’t been writing too much lately but my life has certainly not been as inactive as this blog. To give you a quick update, I’m married and will soon be a father! But let’s save that story for another time. Today I will be introducing one of…
Aya no Sho, a Seamless Blend of East and West.

Heavy rain batters against the car drowning out the faint sound of storm warnings on the radio as we pull up to Ryokan Aya no Sho (彩の庄). A sliver of nervousness grasps us as we imagine the entire inn being swept away by the wet forces of nature. As we step out of our car,…
Ryokan Fujimoto, Homely luxury at its best!

After my last stay at Ryokan Sanga, I got the opportunity to continue my hometown travels in exchange for documenting my experiences in English! My first stop is Ryokan Fujimoto! Ryokan Fujimoto turned out to be a fantastic experience that far surpassed my expectations with its homely but still refined take on luxury. Come along…
Healing for the mind, body and soul! Ryokan Sanga in Kurokawa Onsen.

Hello. friends! I’m back for more and this time I will introduce a location that holds a special place in my heart. So, where might this be? Let me tell you! This is Sanga Ryokan in Kurokawa Onsen! In order to recuperate after Covid-19, many of the onsen establishments in my town offer special deals…
A few words regarding Covid-19

Hello everyone, There has been a long silence here and I deeply apologize for that. Spring has arrived safely here in Aso, Kumamoto and the fresh grass is greener and more beautiful than ever! It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that even life in this small mountain village has been a bit crazy…
3 days of Minamioguni adventures!

Woop woop! I’m still alive!!! Sorry for the looooong time away! I’ve been a busy bee and even though I’ve had some time off here and there, that time has been spent face down in my bed. So, let’s start off by saying that we have finally launched our website for the guided private tours…
Life of a lumberjack!

Hello! Max here enjoying fresh and chemical-free vegetables straight from my own garden! And if you are wondering, Yes! This is me bragging! Today I’m going to give you a look into one of the tours we are planning at work. This one follows the theme of forestry and the other day we did a…