West Faithful Acres

 You take the highway from Tokyo and exit at the Suwa-Minami Interchange. From there, you start climbing a gentle slope. Along the way, the road winds gently through vast farmland. When you reach the intersection at the end of the farmland, if you look back, you can see the low mountains like Mt. Nyukasa up close, and it really hits you that you’ve reached quite a high elevation. Continuing straight through the Fukami Intersection, you keep ascending gently, but the scenery changes dramatically. Surrounded by tall trees, you’re treated to a serene forest bath. I love going here on clear summer mornings in early August. The cool air that descends from the mountains mixes with the sunlight to create mist, making the atmosphere feel completely tranquil. A forest bath surrounded by tall trees After the forest bath, you’ll come to a...

Agricultural ponds and Mountains waiting for snow Dear readers, thank you as always for checking out my blog! It’s getting colder where I am, and we’ve entered the snowy season. Just like bears going into hibernation, my farm work will be on pause for a while until spring arrives. Of course, I’ll still be doing my rounds, and I’ll share updates with you whenever there’s something to report. But if I only post those updates, the content might get a bit sparse and honestly not that interesting. So I’ve been thinking that I’d like to start introducing some of the shops and places near my farm. Around my farm, there are lots of spots I’d love people from all over the world to visit: a small church, a stylish café, a ski resort, and even a bakery run by a famous chef. I’ll introduce them to you little by little. I just wanted to give you that update for today. Bye!

Shaking Earth | This image was generated using OpenAI's AI tools.  Although the United States does not experience major earthquakes as frequently as Japan, it faces significant seismic risks, especially along the West Coast. To address these risks, the country has developed a comprehensive disaster-management framework that coordinates federal, state, and local authorities. A key feature of this system is its ability to mitigate damage by combining government efforts with scientific research and private-sector collaboration, ultimately enhancing societal resilience. At the heart of this framework is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). When a large earthquake occurs, local governments initiate the immediate response, while FEMA provides support if the disaster exceeds local capacity. The agency is responsible for allocating resources, managing shelters, assisting displaced ...

 I always start my mornings before the sun rises. On the farm I am up at four a.m. long before most people are awake. In this season bears sometimes come close so I adjust my start time a little to stay safe. When I walk into the fields the air is crisp and cold and I drink a hot cup of coffee while I breathe in the clean fresh air. That is my favorite part of the day. It is quiet and peaceful. I am alone with the land and it feels like the world belongs only to me. Maybe some of you have had a moment like this. I really love this time and I would not trade it for anything. Azusa Limited Express Train Front View at the Station On Thursdays my routine changes. Most of the week I live the slow grounded life on the farm but on Thursdays I catch the first Azusa train to Tokyo for my main job. I commute from a rural area to the city and this dual life is a big part of my story. I book my seat...

Today marks day one of a week-long farm maintenance project along my orchard and the forest next to the fields. I’m carefully pruning overgrown vines and small branches that have wrapped around larger trees, while leaving mature trees such as pine, cedar, walnut, and chestnut intact. This is essential farm and woodland upkeep to keep both the trees and surrounding land healthy. Pruning Vines and Small Branches in the Orchard and Adjacent Forest Using a heavy-duty lopper, I’m cutting vines and smaller branches that have become tangled or are shading important trees. Some younger shoots have small thorns, while older vines have hardened into woody, tree-like branches. Strong climbing vines such as Smilax (greenbrier) are incredibly tough, almost rope-like, so proper vine and branch management in the orchard and forest edge is key for safety. ...

This isn’t just a concern for travelers—it applies to us farmers as well! This year, the number of bear sightings and injuries has been especially high. I even carry bear spray with me when I’m working in the fields. Japan Deploys Troops to Battle BEAR ATTACKS After 12 People Killed Source: New York Post 1. Why Bear Sightings Are Increasing in Japan Bear encounters in Japan, especially in northern regions like Hokkaido, have surged in 2025. Experts cite several reasons: Growing bear populations: Conservation efforts and reduced hunting have increased the number of bears. Food shortages: Poor acorn and nut harvests have forced bears to venture closer to towns and parks. Urban encroachment and abandoned farmland: Depopulation of rural areas has left forests and fields unmanaged, providing bears with easy access to human areas. This combination of ecological and human factors has led to more frequent sightings and occasional attacks, prompting autho...

Before diving into today’s topic, I want to share some foundational knowledge about agriculture. Farmers constantly work to expand their understanding, not just in the fields, but through community engagement and studying books or research materials. Thanks to this relentless effort, delicious vegetables and fruits make it to my table every day. This knowledge is never wasted, and today’s blog post will briefly introduce some of it so readers can better appreciate the dedication and insight of farmers. A Rest Day at the Farm Observing Frosty Fields Agriculture shapes both economies and cultures worldwide. Understanding the significance of Farmers’ Day in different nations provides insight into the interplay between tradition, environment, and sustainable cultivation. This article explores the agricultural celebrations, major crops, soil characteristics, climate, and farm size ratios in 9 countries plus Jap...