【公式】空中の村｜フランスから

ABOUT ME

My name is Jolan, expat from the French Alps, I came to Japan in 2014. After few years working as a lumberjack, here in Nara prefecture, with the help of the locals we started created this project together. An idea that consisted of using the vast forest resources we have in Totsukawa village (96% of the village surface is actually forest cover!) to offer a new type of activity. Somehting unseen in Japan, far from the over-crowded tourist spots, far from the regular steel-made theme parks. Something nature-based to promote wellness and bring back the « city-people » to the forest. The park has a life expextancy of 15 years.

Three reasons why I created Kuuchuu No Mura.

I want to spread new ways of managing our forests.

I learned that forestry has collapsed all over Japan, and I thought, « What a wasteful asset! » Mountains can be used for more than just timber production. For example, they can play a variety of roles, such as enriching water sources and wildlife, preventing landslides, and healing people’s hearts (shinrinyoku ?). In France, the use of forests for recreational purposes is a distinctive sector and recognized by the governemen. After few years living here, I began to consider whether I could create such recreational opportunities in Totsukawa Village.

I want people to know new ways to have fun in nature.

While living in Japan, I noticed that Japanese adults don’t have the sense of going to the mountain and just chill. Especially in our village, Totsukawa, the locals wouldn’t even try to spend an afternoon in those beautiful mountains… and I thought it was such as waste !

I just wanted to create a workplace that I like.

I know it seems so naïve and egoist, but I just wanted an environment where I could climb trees, learn about the surrounding nature and talk to people. That’s’ it.

Three Commitments of our Park

Be kind to the body and the environment

All consumables used at Kuuchuu No Mura (flyers, paper cups, disposable chopsticks, etc.) are made from recycled paper or FSC certified, and plastic is reduced as much as possible. Food and beverages sold are JAS or organic certified.
We are strongly conscious of operating in a way that strictly adheres to the goal of « environmentally friendly and healthy.

Utilizing local resources

The facility uses plenty of local wood. The tree-houses and playground equipment in the park, as well as the promenade, are covered with chips of thinned wood from Totsukawa. In addition, the sweets and cookies served in the park are made by local people and we employ some villagers to help us out with some gardening work ~

Utilising tree friendly technics

Any attachement to the trees has an impact on them but we try to minmize it as possible. In addition to the method of securing the treehouses and platforms, we also carry out various tasks throughout the year : regular maintenance, yearly check-up made a professional arborist, and a three-months period OFF (during winter) to let the trees rest. Even with those considerations when will dismantle the park after 15 years and let the forest to its previous state.

MISSION-fr