June, 2024
Reading time: 7 minutes
A Place to Reconnect
As we arrive in front of this traditional old house, we realize how deep we entered Japan. Looking at the surroundings, we felt so grateful to experience the daily life of Japan mountain life. Kake is a small village mainly inhabited with older people. This is why the town is trying to revitalize the place. Young people are leaving the area to work in bigger cities. They are leaving this green paradise, the beautiful rice paddies, and the vegetables growing in the garden by the house. But they will never forget the croaking frogs, the shrill sound of summer from the cicadas or the magic of fireflies. They will remember the scent of this place, the silence or the stars in the dark nights.
LIVING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Waking up having the fresh wind entering the bedroom and listening to the sound of nature is a luxury that some might have overlooked. But deep in this valley surrounded by lush forest and mystical mountains in the morning mist, we know that we are in a place where we don’t get lost but where we find our inner song.
There we wake up at dawn, before 5 am, like a flower opening up in the morning. We meditate in front of the small garden or do sun salutations. Walking bare feet on the ground Nayla and Fibie climb the trees. Then we cycle on the small roads in the forest or along the rushing rivers, having the chance to encounter some snakes or monkeys along the way. We swim in crystal clear rivers. There are also a few bears hiding in this huge territory. As we come home in the evening, a raccoon dog, a tanuki, might welcome us, offering an exciting encounter to Nayla. While Fibie also spends hours looking at the huge butterflies collecting the nectar.
IN THE MIDST OF NATURE
There, we discover some of the gorges, Miyama, Ryuzukyo and the majestic Sandankyô. With each step, we penetrate a little further into the cliffs carved out by the rushing water. Each meander reveals new scene, sometimes delicate, sometimes powerful. Singing flows, cascading waterfalls, emerald pools. We swim in the cold water. This time, we are surrounded by the cliffs that tower above us, like each drop of water on its intrepid journey.
The road winds along the slopes, fourth and back curves that makes us gain elevation. Suddenly, out of the dense forest, we come to an opening. There we discover the incredible rice terrace. The inhabitants of Ini, keepers of traditions, follow the secular way of growing rice. Not as a showcase, but with an awareness of the importance of rice and of the future. A place where tradition and beauty go hand in hand with a rethinking of our relationship with the landscapes, with our farming methods, with the food we eat.
Yoshimizuen Garden
The wooden gate opens onto the small Japanese garden, Yoshimizuen. The summer residence of a great lord, the house still has a traditional thatched roof made of rice straw. Inside, tatami mats cover the floor. Every space combines elegance and beauty. At this time of year, we also discover a protected species of tree frog. In this small garden, the Moriao frog’s white nests hang over the pond. A fascinating discovery in the heart of this serene setting.
It's only open to the public two weekends a year
Facing the magnificent Japanese maple, the gates of Yoshimizuen swing shut keeping its mystery. They will remain closed until this autumn.
