The concept of sustainability is having a remarkable renaissance in Japan. Visitors and locals alike are increasingly interested in ecotourism, agrotourism, and promoting traditional Japanese culture. Here are five recommendations for sustainable stays beyond Tokyo and other major urban areas with uniquely Japanese twists. Enjoy yourself and also help the community by lodging here! Stay…
Saving the Cats of Amami Oshima Island
Amami Oshima cats live on an island between Kyushu and Okinawa, blessed with hot weather, white beaches, beautiful sea, corals, and a tropical forest with unique fauna and flora. In 2021, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, it is lesser known for its “feral cat management plan,” a euphemism for culling cats that…
Turning a Japanese Abandoned School into a Sustainable Factory
In summer 2021, I interviewed Go Nakano, CEO and founder member of the peanut butter company Happy Nuts Day. During our talk, he explained why he left a big advertising company and went on to create Happy Nuts Day with his skateboarding friends. He was thriving, creating products that reflected his values, surrounded by people…
Tending Vegetables in the Japanese Heat
Here is the new episode of the Kokoro Media remote farming project which involves you, readers! (You can find our previous episodes here.) Last month, Japanese organic farmer Masamichi showed us how fast plants had grown and the consequences of the rainy season. Now that the rainy season is over, how do you tend the vegetables in…
Growing Vegetables during Japanese Rainy Season
Here is the new episode of the Kokoro Media remote farming project which involves you, readers! (You can find our previous episodes here.) Last month, after receiving our readers’ voting results, Masamichi planted satoimo, edamame, and shiso. Are they growing okay despite the weather? How much do these Japanese vegetables grow in a one-month span?…
Updates: Discover our Online Farming Project
Dear readers, Since we received good feedback and signs of interest following our interview with Higa Farm, we have decided to collaborate with Masamichi and Sara Higa to offer you a new kind of experience: online farming! From now on, Kokoro Media will be renting a small parcel of land at Higa Farm to grow vegetables….
A Happier Life with Greens
As explained in this article, Kokoro Media has created a remote farming project which involves you readers. Here is what we are going to grow on the farm, and some answers to the comments you left us. Voting Results In our previous article, we asked you to vote for your favorite vegetables to grow on…
You Choose What to Grow! Discover our Online Farming Project
Dear readers, Since we received good feedback and signs of interest following our interview with Higa Farm, we have decided to collaborate with Masamichi and Sara Higa to offer you a new kind of experience: online farming! From now on, Kokoro Media will be renting a small parcel of land at Higa Farm to grow…
mamoru, the New App That Supports a Sustainable Lifestyle in Japan
Philip Nguyen is an entrepreneur with an unusual profile. Originally from the U.S., he has been living in Japan for nine years. After studying environmental science and cultural studies in the U.S., and completing his PhD in Japan, Philip decided to launch his own business to contribute to solving social and environmental issues. This year,…
Why We Should Protect Japanese Bears and Their Home
Eli Sooker is a New Zealand-born nature conservationist. After working for some time in his home country, he started exploring the world on his own and ended up living in Japan. There, he discovered aspects of Japanese nature which people do not often talk about. He also became involved in local bear conservation. In this…