hello everyone!
This is Takita from the Monosasu site secretariat.
Last time, we told you about the satellite office on Suo-Oshima and life on the island . After reading the article, you could also hear from members who have actually visited the island.
So, in this "Visit to a Satellite Office by a Former Hikikomori Designer" I visited the satellite office in Kamiyama in September 2022. I explored the "recommended spots" that the Kamiyama members had told me about in advance. I would like to share with you what the satellite office is like.
First, head to Amagoi Falls
On Saturday, when we arrived in Kamiyama Town, we immediately walked from the office to Amegoshi Falls. We headed from the accommodation building, relying on the words of our writer, Sugimoto-san, who accompanied us on this trip, that "You can walk there." (However, it is actually quite a distance to walk there. It may be better to have a car to get to the base of the falls.)
We kept climbing, glimpsing the many waterfalls along the way. At this point, we realized, "I know they said it was a waterfall, but it's actually just a bit of mountain climbing."
The first large waterfall we saw was Uguisu Falls. Mr. Sugimoto, the writer who climbed with us,
I underestimated the chance to reach the waterfall and after just a few minutes I was exhausted and worn out, as you can see from the photo.
Along the way, we drank natural water flowing down the rock face. This true "gift of nature" was surprisingly sweet and delicious.
Our destination was "Amagoinotaki Falls". When we reached the base of the falls, we were impressed by the force of the water, which was much stronger than we had imagined, and the clear water surface. Personally, I felt like it was a full-scale mountain climb, but even I, who am not very fit, was able to make it to the top.
I would encourage anyone who comes to Kamiyama and wants to experience nature to come and visit.
A mountain path that blends in art
The next place we visited was "Oawayama," a place recommended by Kurihara-san, a member of the Kamiyama office.
As I was driving along the mountain road, an object suddenly appeared. The name of the piece was written at my feet.
These works were created by artists who participated in the Kamiyama Artist in Residence (KAIR). The NPO Green Valley, which organizes KAIR, has agreed to exhibit the works in exchange for developing the mountain.
On Mount Oawa, forestation is still being carried out by volunteers, mainly those from Green Valley. Art pieces are scattered throughout the mountain, some of which are so small you might miss them if you're not paying attention.
"Tenpenmaru" on the summit of Mount Oawa. You can see the whole of Kamiyama town through the trees.
People call him "Kamiyama's Dad."
We had dinner at the home of Mr. Iwamaru, known as the "Dad of Kamiyama," who showed us around Mt. Oawa. Mr. Iwamaru is dedicated to revitalizing the Kamiyama town, and is one of the people who connects visitors to Kamiyama, including providing accommodation for students of the Kamiyama Academy.
"You're lucky, Reiko," she said, treating me to some Mozuku crab, which had been delivered that day.
It seems that the "Iwamaru girls" gather here almost every night.
We all gather around the table and eat the food we've made together and talk about what we're doing now, what we want to do in the future, and what we're worried about.
As I was included in the conversation as they seriously discussed their personal matters, I felt as if, although I had come for an interview and had all my antennae pointed outward, my arrows were gradually pointing back at myself. It was a fun evening.
Even after their father goes to sleep, the Iwamaru girls continue their conversation.
Behind the Scenes of Toec Radio
We, the Monosasu members, also had the opportunity to attend the radio recording of the nature school "Toek," which we have visited before. Kamiyama office members Motohashi and Kagawa brought in their equipment and started preparing for the recording in the afternoon.
At dusk, the recording finally started. Looking at the recording site from behind, the various equipment is cool, like looking into the cockpit of an airplane.
Winnie the Pooh, Tatsuro Ise, and Funasan will be talking on TOEC Radio.
After the sun went down, we turned on the lights and started the second part. Writer Sugimoto also joined in and the recording progressed. You can listen to past broadcasts here .
To the Kamiyama office
When you leave the dormitory where you are staying, you will see rice fields stretching out before you.
It was the time when the rice stalks were gradually bending under the weight of the rice. The air was pleasant while the mist was still hanging over the mountains.
At the end of the row house, the glass-walled space with the ruler T-shirt hanging is the Kamiyama office.
The three people who usually work in this office are Kurihara, Kagawa, and Asada.
Because the office has glass doors, locals and visitors to Kamiyama stop in front of the office every day.
Whenever a little girl who happened to be passing by spoke to us, we opened the door and helped her, and whenever neighbors or visitors came to visit, all three office members gathered at the entrance and chatted with the townspeople.
At first I looked at them thinking, "Glass doors are so stylish," and "Don't they bother people passing by too much?", but then I understood why.
When I asked Kurihara, "Doesn't it stress you out?" he said that although it would be inconvenient if someone barged in while he was in a remote meeting (it's not clear from outside that he was in a meeting), it was no problem at all.
One evening, as he was leaving the office, Asada exclaimed, "The sky is amazing!" He looked up at the sky, dyed a vivid red, and pointed his camera at it, saying, "I've never seen it this color before."
Kagawa, who had just gone out to do some grocery shopping, returned and said, "The sky was an amazing color!"
Come to think of it, while we were in the car, Kurihara muttered the following as he looked at the rain-covered river.
"We haven't had typhoons in the last few years, but when a typhoon comes, the moss in the river is washed away and new moss grows. The sweetfish that grow up in those years and eat the new moss are tastier," he explained.
I felt very envious of the comfortable relationships and good atmosphere among the Kamiyama members who get excited about news like this.
During this visit to the satellite office, we were able to hear many stories that really captured the character of the town of Kamiyama from the people of the town, people who visited the town, office members, and Mr. Sugimoto.
During my stay, I heard so much information, including the history of Kamiyama's revitalization efforts in Green Valley, that it was impossible to grasp it all in a week, or even to write it all down in one article.
The Kamiyama I felt was one in which the town, the people, the food, and the artwork all seemed to be in perfect harmony with nature. The apartment complex in Onoji where our office member Motohashi lives features a bio nest and stone walls made from demolition debris. Here too, we were able to experience the wisdom of living in harmony with nature.
There was a convenience store near the accommodation building, so even someone like me with little daily living skills could get by, and there was also a Kamapan bread shop, a butcher shop, and a ramen restaurant, so I had no trouble finding food during my stay.
I experienced working and living in Kamiyama for a week, and although it was a short time, I felt very comfortable living there and meeting the people there.
Also, in the office, at the Iwamaru family's dining table, and in various other places, there were moments when I got a glimpse of people's ways of life and I had moments of self-reflection and thought, "What about me?" and "Perhaps I would see something if I stayed here longer," and it was a very good experience.
Next time, I would like to visit again for about a month, in order to experience life in the town of Kamiyama and to cherish the connection with Kamiyama that I have made this time.
If you visit the Kamiyama Satellite Office, you might have an unexpected experience! Why not give it a try?