When the Farm Sleeps, New Stories Begin

By Theodore West Published on
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!

Season:
Location: Fujimi, Suwa District, Nagano, Japan

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bear Sightings Surge Across Japan in 2025: Latest Updates and Safety Alerts

By Theodore West Published on
Image
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...
Read more

Professional Tree Removal: Crucial Guidelines for Rural Homestead Safety and Risk Management

By Theodore West Published on
Image
Hey there, how are you doing today? I hope everything is going well. I am doing great, as usual. Today, I want to share my experience with a particularly high-risk tree removal task that someone inexperienced, like me, should never attempt alone. Make sure you pay close attention, because this is not just a story, it is a lesson in safety, risk management, and responsible homestead maintenance. Many people with a bit of knowledge or limited experience in tree cutting often think they can handle these tasks on their own. I used to be tempted to do the same. However, when I evaluated this situation, I realized it was not worth the potential danger. The tree I needed to remove was standing extremely close to another person’s property. As anyone familiar with homestead or rural property management knows, this kind of scenario can easily lead to serious liability issues, compensation claims, and legal conflicts with neighboring landowners. Even the smallest miscalculation could escalate...
Read more

Ten Minutes to Understand How to Build a Direct Farm to Tokyo Produce Delivery Network

By Theodore West Published on
Image
 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...
Read more