This is a story about an international couple raising and home educating three young boys on a small island in Japan, half living in buses, engaged in organic, self-sufficient farming in the middle of a mountain forest while dealing with climate, cultural, and personal challenges. These pages are about pretty much anything and everything all guided by our family motto, Taking Chances, Making Changes, Being Happy. Thank you very much for joining us on our ongoing crazy adventure.

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Home - Story - August 2010
August 10-12, 2010 - Tropical Storm Dianmu. Tropical Storm Dianmu, which passed on the western side of Japan over the last few days, brought a few inches of torrential rains and a few awesome thunderstorms to this humble little farming community. The much needed rain was definitely welcome by the local farmers.
August 28-29, 2010 - Yoshino, Shimokita Mountain for some camping, fishing, and hiking, Shimokitayama (Village) Mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara, Japan. Hanging out in a small town before heading up the mountain.
Eating a snack.
Sitting in a hotel for a few minutes.
Souvenir store on the way.
Tons of tunnels on the way.
Another souvenir store.
Playing in the river.
Playing in the river.
Playing in the river.
Playing in the river.
Same river.
Dam it. This formed a lake on the top of the mountain which was really close to the campsite.
We made it to the one room, really small cottage. Everyone relaxing and drinking beer except for Shai who is sleeping.
Really beautiful place.
Hiking and drinking beer in this beautiful place.
Hiking and drinking beer in this beautiful place.
Found a really secluded spot and was fishing alone.
Pretty much no people both times fishing
Caught a small sunfish.
Fish with Shai.
Akiko cooked the fish for dinner.
Shai was fascinated.
Went to the hot springs in the afternoon before going back for dinner. This was the first time for Shai to experience the Japanese hot springs known as onsen.
Yeah dinner, beer, and wine.
Really fun time.
Shai wide awake now.
Shai doing a beer advertisement.
Shai, the king of beers.
Really small cottage.
Cottage entry.
Walking around at night.
This was the only crappy, excuse the pun, part of the trip. Japanese style toilet, yuk. Really not meant for someone with lousy knees.
View of the dam from close to the campsite.
Us.
Us.
Akiko with the little dude.
Me with the little dude.
Fishing again.
Fishing again.
Caught a bass.
We let it go back.
Cottage.
Cottage.
View of the dam from the registration place.
Odaigahara Mountain Hiking

August 29, 2010 - Hiking at Odaigahara Mountain,  Kamikitayama (Village) Mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara-Mie, Japan.
Us at the top of the mountain.
Us at the top of the mountain.
Getting ready for the hike.
Getting ready for the hike.
Shai playing with rocks.
Shai playing with rocks.
Trail map.
In the parking lot before the hike.
In the parking lot before the hike.
Now on the trail. Carried the little dude all the way up to the top of the mountain.
Trail.
Uprooted tree.
Stairs leading up to the top of the mountain.
More stairs.
More stairs.
More stairs.
More stairs. This was crazy.
Fog at the top of the mountain
Us at the top of the mountain.
Us at the top of the mountain.
Watch out for any lightning.
Explanation of why this is the rainiest spot in Japan.
Trail map.
Stairs going back.
More stairs.
More stairs.
More stairs. This is nuts.
Trail.
Trees changing colors.
Almost finished hiking.