Japan's Visionaries

Japan's Visionaries Shining Light on Japan’s Hidden Treasures: its People.

Our mission is to reveal the stories of the talented individuals with a unique vision and unwavering passion, hidden in the most unknown corners of regional Japan.

『2018年7月の西日本豪雨。隣県でおこった天災に唖然としながらも、少しでもこまっている人の手助けができればと、人生初のボランティアに参加しました。そこでお世話になった岡山県和気郡のボランティアチーム「チームはるはる」ここでの出会いが僕の人...
15/05/2022

『2018年7月の西日本豪雨。
隣県でおこった天災に唖然としながらも、少しでもこまっている人の手助けができればと、人生初のボランティアに参加しました。

そこでお世話になった岡山県和気郡のボランティアチーム「チームはるはる」ここでの出会いが僕の人生が一変しました。

本当に素晴らしい活動しているのでお店に活動記録を掲載しようと思っています。

チームはるはるで知り合った知人が「ポこムーチョ」という、博多で量り売りショップを運営している社長でご縁があり出会うことになりました。
その後、令和2年豪雨のボランティアで熊本県人吉市に行ったとき、博多の店舗を見学させていただきました。
そこで見たお客さんの楽しそうな笑顔は、いまでも印象に残っています。
その笑顔を見て、私も2年以内に同じようなお店をやろうと決意したのでした…』

MESSAGE midoriのgorillaを作った思い 多くの皆さまにご協力をいただき、量り売りショップ「midoriのgorilla」を、2022年5月に無事オープンすることができました。 感謝の気持ちを込めつつ、ここではなぜこのお店を

Hidenori Fujiwara is the founder and owner of Jidaiya, a traditional Japanese cultural experience one-stop shop in Asaku...
07/03/2022

Hidenori Fujiwara is the founder and owner of Jidaiya, a traditional Japanese cultural experience one-stop shop in Asakusa.

Fujiwara san is always thinking ahead of his time. He launched Jidaiya's ""Barrier-free station"" (rickshaw rides for people with disabilities) over a decade ago when the Barrier-Free Law wasn't enforced yet, nor even recommended for shops to provide barrier-free services.

He thought ahead though, thinking it was necessary to adjust to Japan's aging society and the many different types of travelers coming to his store. So he built it by hand.

As a result, Jidaiya is now one of the few (maybe even the only?) companies that provide rickshaw rides for people in wheelchairs.

Please feel free to share if you know anyone who may be interested in visiting Jidaiya - thank you :)

東京　浅草で観光人力車・日本文化体験といえば時代屋、事前準備不要、コロナ対策しながら体験可能、地域共通クーポン利用可能、人力車でワンランク上の浅草観光、好きな着物をレンタルで浅草散策、記念に残る人力車...

岡山に持続可能な地域社会の種をまく 経済的に安定した自由な社会で裕福に暮らす多くの人々にとって、「快適さ」とは偽りの恵みとさえ言えるかも知れません。実際には、過度に豊かさを追求したがる危険な習性や、あまりに簡単に欲しいものに手が届くことが、...
07/03/2022

岡山に持続可能な地域社会の種をまく 経済的に安定した自由な社会で裕福に暮らす多くの人々にとって、「快適さ」とは偽りの恵みとさえ言えるかも知れません。実際には、過度に豊かさを追求したがる危険な習性や、あまりに簡単に欲しいものに手が届くことが、そのように感じさせているだけであって、（正直に言うと）その多くはそもそも私たちが必要だとは思っていなかったものだからです。ほとんどのモノがクリックひとつで手に入ります。そこには美しいとも言えるほどの利便性がありますが、2019年以降、新型コロナウイルス感染症のパンデミックが繰り返し私たちに教えてくれた教訓があるとすれば、それは、私たちが慣れ親しんだ快適さというものは、実に儚いものだということです。。。

岡山に持続可能な地域社会の種をまく 経済的に安定した自由な社会で裕福に暮らす多くの人々にとって、「快適さ」とは偽りの恵みとさえ言えるかも知れません。実際には、過度に豊かさを追求したがる危険な習性や、あ.....

鳥取で未来を拓くパンづくりとビール醸造（写真：Kyoko Kataoka） 智頭町の人気の理由は探さなくても分かります。澄んだ空気、清らかな水、見渡す限りの緑…。鳥取県南東部にある智頭町は、「日本一美しい村」と言われる人口6千人余りの小さな...
04/03/2022

鳥取で未来を拓くパンづくりとビール醸造（写真：Kyoko Kataoka） 智頭町の人気の理由は探さなくても分かります。澄んだ空気、清らかな水、見渡す限りの緑…。鳥取県南東部にある智頭町は、「日本一美しい村」と言われる人口6千人余りの小さな町ですが、海外の旅行ガイドブックでは滅多に紹介されることはありません。しかし、人里離れた場所にあり、町の面積の93％が豊かな森で覆われ、素晴らしい山々に囲まれたこの町は、そこで呼吸するたびに何か新しい始まりを感じさせてくれるのです。 2015年に。。。

鳥取で未来を拓くパンづくりとビール醸造（写真：Kyoko Kataoka） 智頭町の人気の理由は探さなくても分かります。澄んだ空気、清らかな水、見渡す限りの緑…。鳥取県南東部にある智頭町は、「日本一美しい村」と言われる....

Leki Nagahara the owner of In Between Blues, an aizome indigo dyeing shop, atelier and cafe in Tokushima Prefecture.A fo...
03/03/2022

Leki Nagahara the owner of In Between Blues, an aizome indigo dyeing shop, atelier and cafe in Tokushima Prefecture.

A former surfer (and 4-time champion), he opened the store to revitalize the town. Through his tiny atelier he is building a new, modern culture for sustainable indigo dyeing, while also attracting tourism to Tokushima.

He is a strong advocate for local tourism and the preservation of local traditions under the motto of "Think Global, Act Local."

Please share if you know anyone who may be interested in visiting In Between Blues - thank you :)

Our message   Natural indigo blue is the color of ...

一杯のコーヒーと飛び交う「おはよう」の挨拶が、鹿児島でコミュニティを作り出す 数年前まで、加治屋紗代さんは何不自由ない生活を送っていました。安定した正社員としての仕事があり、帰宅すれば家族がいて、数十人のよき友人に恵まれ、趣味のDJもようや...
28/02/2022

一杯のコーヒーと飛び交う「おはよう」の挨拶が、鹿児島でコミュニティを作り出す 数年前まで、加治屋紗代さんは何不自由ない生活を送っていました。安定した正社員としての仕事があり、帰宅すれば家族がいて、数十人のよき友人に恵まれ、趣味のDJもようやく軌道に乗りつつあり、十分幸せでした。毎日があっという間に過ぎていき、週末はいつも充実していました。しかし、ある日、地元でモーニングコーヒーを飲みながら集う人々がいることをニュースで知った時、自分の人生に何か大きく欠けているもの（もっと広いコミュニティの中に入る喜び）があるとにすぐに気づいたのです。。。

一杯のコーヒーと飛び交う「おはよう」の挨拶が、鹿児島でコミュニティを作り出す 数年前まで、加治屋紗代さんは何不自由ない生活を送っていました。安定した正社員としての仕事があり、帰宅すれば家族がいて、数十.....

Tomoko Kurashina is the owner of Japan's first ""Earthship"" - a structure built with recycled materials that supplies i...
25/02/2022

Tomoko Kurashina is the owner of Japan's first ""Earthship"" - a structure built with recycled materials that supplies its own water and electricity. She lives there and also operates it as an accommodation.

The building was constructed in Mima, Tokushima in 2020, from materials including 800 old tires, 4,000 bottles and 13,000 empty cans.

Kurashina began rethinking our use of electricity after the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and the ensuing meltdowns at the Fukushima Power Plant. She tried to live without electricity for a while but realized it wasn't possible, so she began searching for alternative ways.

It was then when she read about the earthships pioneered by American architect Michael Reynolds. In 2015, she applied to join a team the city of Mima was forming to boost the development of the area, and moved from her native Kanagawa to Tokushima to build her own earthship.

She partially raised the 40 million to build it through crowd-funding and called Reynolds to Japan to help with the design and construction.

Construction began in 2018, and the 100-square-meter home was completed in the summer of 2019.

Earthship Mima is now one of Tokushima's key destinations.

Please share if you know anyone who may be interested in supporting this cause - thank you :)

Earthshipとは1970年代からアメリカ人建築家マイケルレイノルズ氏が実験に実験を重ね建て続けているオフグリッドハウス（公共のインフラを必要としない建物）です。EarthshipMIMAは国内で唯一Earthshipを実際に体感できる場所で....

Ken Ishihara is the owner of Chimoto, an old wagashi confectionery shop in Meguro. His grandfather opened the store when...
22/02/2022

Ken Ishihara is the owner of Chimoto, an old wagashi confectionery shop in Meguro.

His grandfather opened the store when Ishihara was still a child.
He vividly remembers the day when his grandfather took him to a tiny oyakodon place in Ginza.

They walked for a long time, finally ending in a tiny shop that had no sign whatsoever. When they got in, the grandfather just said ""two"" and waited for his order.

There was nothing but oyakodon on the menu.

That was Ken Ishihara's first lesson in taking over the family business: if you use the best ingredients and make a good product, it's enough to succeed.

The menu hasn't changed since he started. And yet, the shop is always full of people of all generations.

Please share if you know anyone who may be interested in visiting Chimoto - thank you :)

Welcome to our homepage 御菓子所　ちもと 御菓子所　ちもと

Miyuki Sakamoto is the co-founder of Isumi Horseland, a kids-friendly horse riding park in Isumi, Chiba Prefecture. Isum...
21/02/2022

Miyuki Sakamoto is the co-founder of Isumi Horseland, a kids-friendly horse riding park in Isumi, Chiba Prefecture.

Isumi Horseland only uses rescued horses.

By founding this place, Sakamoto has contributed to the creation of a new tourist destination in Isumi, is helping horses that would otherwise be slaughtered, and is bringing tons of happiness to kids (and parents) through various events, classes, and gatherings.

Please share if you know anyone who may be interested in visiting Isumi Horseland or supporting this cause - thank you :)

千葉県いすみ市にある馬と触れ合える施設「いすみホースランド」のホームページです。

Mike Harris is the founder of the adventure tour company Canyons in Minakami, Gunma, and the person who brought canyonin...
18/02/2022

Mike Harris is the founder of the adventure tour company Canyons in Minakami, Gunma, and the person who brought canyoning to Japan.

For over 20 years, he has run and created the best outdoor and extreme adventure experiences in Japan and he is constantly creating new tours and ideas to upgrade the business and provide more fun to customers.

Please share if you know anyone who may be interested in visiting Canyons in Minakami - thank you :)

Canyons is the leading outdoor experience provider in Japan, pioneering the industry for over 20 years. Join our international crew for a refreshing adventure at one of our many locations.

"Twins" Takaya and Fumito Matsuda are the founders of HERALBONY, a Japanese social creative agency that works with artis...
14/02/2022

"Twins" Takaya and Fumito Matsuda are the founders of HERALBONY, a Japanese social creative agency that works with artists with intellectual disabilities. They are providing a stable income (over 30% of all sales go to the artists, whereas typically it is less than 10% at welfare facilities and organizations) and pride to those artists.

Since the launch of the company in 2018, the Matsuda's have run a social business built around the unique artistic talents of individuals with learning disabilities.

In partnership with facilities across Japan, besides organizing award-winning exhibitions, they license artists' work for use in stylish products including garments and accessories, as well as design tie-ups with craft beer brands and on hotel décor, with profits providing vital income for the artists themselves.

Please feel free to share if you know anyone who may be interested and anyone who would like to support this cause - thank you :)

異彩を、放て。をミッションに掲げる福祉実験ユニット。福祉施設に所属する知的障害のある作家とアートライセンス契約を結び、福祉を起点に新しい文化創造を目指します。

Yuki Yamamoto is the manager of Jiyucho. Jiyucho is a tiny cafe/shop near Asakusa built on a simple concept: write a let...
11/02/2022

Yuki Yamamoto is the manager of Jiyucho.

Jiyucho is a tiny cafe/shop near Asakusa built on a simple concept: write a letter to yourself that will be delivered to you a year later.

The store is built on the idea that busy people hardly have time to reflect on their feelings and thoughts and provides them with the chance to change that.

Before writing your letter, you are given five options to choose from based on your current feeling and state of mind. Then comes a hot drink that is supposed to help calm these emotions and then you are given up to two hours to write.

It's such an amazing concept and a great experience. There are no language or cultural barriers, and no filters to the experience. Sitting down to reflect on your thoughts at a place that encourages you to... don't we all feel this is something special in our times?!

The store is also equipped with a large bookshelf filled with books from customers. Every time you visit Jiyucho you can take a book from the shelf and exchange it with the one you brought. Jiyucho also supports young artists by assigning them to do the art in the store and to design the paperwork one writes their letters on.

Please feel free to share if you know anyone who may be interested in visiting Jiyucho - thank you :)

未来の自分へ、大切な誰かへ手紙が送れるお店、自由丁。忙しない日々の中で、 私が、あなたが感じたこと、考えたこと、思っていること、悩んでいること。 日々生まれては消えていく、そんな様々な気持ちたちについて ...

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大阪市北区角田町1/12
Osaka, Osaka
5300017

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