SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE has founded in 2010, to support travelers seeking authentic and unique experiences in Takayama, the Japanese countryside, All of our services, from the guided tours to the accommodation, are designed to connect travelers with locals. We sincerely respect SATOYAMA culture and environment in this region, have a passion to share them with travellers and make every effort to sustain them.
What is a SATOYAMA?
A Satoyama is an environment where people have co-existed with nature over time, living near the border of the Sato, where people live, and Yama, which means mountain. They consist of communities, where people manage both forests and farmlands. Living in Satoyama, Japanese people have become part of the ecosystem, realizing what is now called a sustainable lifestyle.
Rice fields were cultivated and necessities, such as raincoats, sandals and thatched roofs, were then made using the post-harvest straw. Highlighting how a sustainable cycle of resources existed, any remaining straw could be given to livestock as feed or returned to the earth as fertilizer. Each community’s society and culture emerged from the local way of life. Satoyama were important environments that provided organisms with habitats and also natural resources, such as food, lumber and beautiful landscapes.
Many woods were desolated as Satoyama became rapidly rarer with Japan’s postwar changes in lifestyle and industry, however. Those that understand Satoyama culture are aging and cultural succession is in danger of disappearing.
Contrastingly, Satoyama are often held up as much needed examples of sustainable society. In areas blessed with such natural wealth, there also exists the wealth of inherited wisdom. Now is time to reconsider existing Satoyama and create a new future for society.
The origins of SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE
After traveling around the world for 2 years, the founders, Taku and Shiho, have decided to moved to Hida region from Tokyo, to live more sustainably in the countryside, rather than living in the big city. We have fall in love with the traditional SATOYAMA culture and nature here and have a passion to share these treasures with visitors.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
< our mission >
SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE, as a tour operator, accommodation provider and travel agency, contributes to sustainable tourism and the development of a sustainable society through its business.
We base all our actions on our sustainability policy, collaborate with all our stakeholders and do our best to enhance a sustainable society.
We aim to positively impact the areas where we offer our tours, facilitating and encouraging the continuation of their unique culture and biodiversity through introducing these to our guests. We believe our actions enhance the attractiveness of these areas to both visitors and residents.