How it works
Welcome to Fujino. Here you will experience the interpersonal dynamics of a creative, resourceful, and collaborative Japanese rural community. This is much more than attending a workshop, visiting a shrine, or going for a mountain walk. It’s about building a personal connection with many of the interesting local residents while doing these activities. Listen to their stories, see how they live to enjoy life, and discover their life priorities. How do these map to your life decisions? Such intimacy limits the number of guests we accommodate to between 4-7. We recommend at least 5 days to experience the Fujino community and reflect on the differences from your home community. Fujino Life takes care of your local transportation, local housing, meals, activity arrangements and fees, hot springs, and simultaneous translation between English and Japanese. The fee for this experiential package is JPY 30,000 per person per day, including taxes.
Number of guests : 4-7 intimate, flexible, personalized
Typical stay : 5-10 days
Uniqueness : authentic and unblemished by commercialism
Accessibility : we help you with any language, cultural, and logistical needs
Cost : JPY 30,000 per person (12 years old and above) per day, all inclusive*
Elementary school children are JPY 15,000 per day.
Infants and preschool children are free.
* Inclusive of local transportation, local housing, meals, activity arrangements and fees, hot springs, translation, and government taxes; Exclusive of beverages, personal gifts or snacks, massage or other therapy, and transportation coming to and leaving from Fujino train station.
What is unique about visiting Fujino?
Typically, a visit to rural Japan is to a (skiing, hiking, hot spring) resort area, a cultural attraction, or a national park. They all have beauty but they do not have an established and resilient community. Resort areas tend to have few perennial residents and lots of vacant summer cottages. Places with cultural attractions shape the commerce toward tourism. Visitors do not see local life in these places.
Fujino has the nature, art, hot springs, temples, shrines, farms, and a strong year-round community. What’s more, it’s an active, forward-looking community from which new ideas, initiatives, and collaborations manifest regularly. Fujino is a uniquely relaxing and invigorating environment; it’s a place to enjoy life.
Example 5-day program
Sunday induction with Wes:
Arrival, introduction to Fujino Life and the Fujino surroundings.
Monday introspection with Shino:
Attunement with nature and self, flower gathering and arranging for display at your accommodation for your duration of stay, hot springs (Yamanami)
Tuesday energizing with Tsū-san and Ryōko-san:
Taiko drumming energy release, mountain springs energy gathering, in-house massage energy rejuvenation
Wednesday grounding with Wes and Masa-san:
Gundari Shrine, power spot, art messages tour, hot springs (Higashi Otaru)
Thursday collaboration with Mikae-san:
Transition Town Fujino, sunset photography
Friday completion with Tsū-san and Wes:
Soba-making, closure, afternoon departure
Example 10-day program
Sunday induction with Wes:
Arrival, introduction to Fujino Life and the Fujino surroundings.
Monday introspection with Shino:
Attunement with nature and self, flower gathering and arranging for display at your accommodation for your duration of stay, hot springs (Akiyama)
Tuesday energizing with Tsū-san and Ryōko-san:
Taiko drumming energy release, mountain springs energy gathering, in-house massage energy rejuvenation
Wednesday creating with Hiryū-san or Gaine-san:
Kaleidoscope or flute making, life stories about the freedom to be and create
Thursday grounding with Wes:
Gundari Shrine, power spot, Iwatateo Shrine, hot springs (Yamanami)
Friday preservation with Masa-san and Wes:
Shinobara Village, Honey factory, Oishi Shrine, art messages tour
Saturday connecting with Wes:
Local festival (seasonal)
Sunday reflection with Wes:
Mountain hiking and art sculpture walk
Monday nourishment with Tsukamoto-san:
Organic farm harvesting, Japanese cuisine cooking class, sustainable earth and sustainable life
Tuesday collaboration with Mikae-san:
Transition Town Fujino, hot springs (Higashi Otaru)
Wednesday completion with Tsū-san and Wes:
Soba-making, closure, afternoon departure
The accommodation
The Fujino Life program includes a stay at this private house. There are 3 bedrooms, one Japanese style bath, 2 toilets, a kitchen, a dining room, and a large outdoor deck overlooking the forest. In the house are a clothes washing machine, refrigerator, free Wifi Internet, and central heating/cooling. Room allocation is by request on a first-come, first-serve basis.
