Countryside in Japan: The Spirit of Sharing

Where we are located is a bit of driving from the nearest airport. It is between Ukiha city and Kurume city in Fukuoka prefecture, Kyushu island, which is 40min driving from my (Haruka’s) hometown.

It is not a touristy place, but a very local, authentic, and culturally rich area, and I really like the Japanese local atmosphere.

The nature is so beautiful and gentle to your eyes, and you hear birds and insects playing an orchestra 24/7 and that’s so nice too. There is abundance of water resources, and seasonal veggies and fruits are so nourishing!

There are so many things I like about the retreat area, but nothing more than that, I like the local people there. Their great generosity and care.

During the May program this year, there was a local grandma living nearby who came to the retreat venue with full of fresh veggies and oranges in her arms.

She told us that they are from her garden, and also said in Japanese “please eat them”.

Also after the April program, I ended up getting 5 or 6 fresh and huge bamboo shoots from local people in the area. They said they have more than what they need, so they were asking if there were anyone else who needs them.

This spirit of giving and sharing in the countryside is always so strong. They do so naturally without expecting anything in return.

There is definitely something special here. Something that’s lost in big cities.

I am leaning a lot from the locals, and I am truly grateful for having this opportunity to learn and also to be a part of their community.

Arigato!

We are only offering seasonal programs in spring and autumn so that people can experience the best time of a year in Japan. Please follow our socials or check our website to find out our upcoming programs.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Fukuoka!