At Akeyama, we have been hosting symposiums and workshops featuring various experts and artists as part of our mission to serve as a “new school where people can learn from the mountains the skills necessary for life.” For this event, we’ve invited Hiroshi Ito, a “Nariwai Maker,” to lead a workshop where we’ll explore the concept of “Nariwai”—livelihoods in the mountains.
Traveling around the world, Mr. Ito defines “nariwai” as “work that serves as play in and of itself for individuals or collectives, while strengthening the foundations of their lives as well as their minds and bodies.” He has been devising and practicing contemporary forms of nariwai, and through fieldwork, has explored the contemporary relevance of traditional and everyday knowledge. Drawing on this experience, Mr. Ito will give a lecture on the concept of nariwai, and then we’ll all work together to explore possibilities for nariwai in Akiyamago!
In addition, following the symposium, special events such as “Let’s Build a Ger in the Mountains!” and “Akiyamago Morning Walk: Let’s Look for Medicinal Plants” will be held. Since participation in these events is on a first-come, first-served basis, please register as soon as possible.
▼Symposium Details
Part 1: Lecture on the Concept of “Nariwai” by Hiroshi Ito
Part 2: Workshop on Devising “Nariwai” in the Mountains
[Speakers] Hiroshi Ito (Nariwai Maker), Fukasawa Takafumi (Director, Akeyama)
*Reception is now closed as we have reached capacity.
Date & Time｜October 10, 2026 (Sat)
Location｜Akeyama – Akiyamago Municipal Oakasawa Elementary School –
Time｜1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Fee｜1,000 yen + admission fee (Adults: 800 yen / Elementary and Junior High School Students: 400 yen)
Reservation Method｜Click here to make your reservation for the symposium
▼Special Experience Program Details
■Special Experience Program ① “Let’s Build a Ger in the Mountains!”
*Reception is now closed as capacity has been reached.
This experience program involves building a ger and spending time inside it. Participation is available after the symposium.
Dates | October 10 (Sat) 5:00 PM – October 11 (Sun) 8:00 AM
Capacity | 8 people
Participation Fee | Free
Meeting Place | Akeyama, 154-1 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan town, Naka-Uonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture 949-8317 (Free parking available)
Important Notes | To spend the night in the ger you build, you must bring your own sleeping pad, sleeping bag, food, water, and other essentials. Please participate only if you are able to bring these items.
Guests | Hiroshi Ito, Fukasawa Takafumi
■Special Experience Program #2: “Akiyamago Morning Walk: Let’s Look for Medicinal Plants”
*Reception is now closed as we have reached capacity.
Date | October 11 (Sun), 9:00–11:00
Capacity | 8 participants
Participation Fee｜500 yen (payable in cash on site)
Meeting Place｜Akeyama, 154-1 Oakasawa-cho, Tsunan town, Naka-Uonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture 949-8317 (Free parking available)
What to Bring｜Clothing suitable for hiking in the mountains
Guests｜Hidemasa Nakazawa, Hiroshi Ito, Fukasawa Takafumi
Click here to make reservations for Special Experience Programs ① and ②
Hiroshi Ito
A “Nariwai Maker” and graduate of the Master’s Program in Forest Science at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Agriculture. He defines “Nariwai” as work that is both a form of play in itself and serves to strengthen one’s livelihood, mind, and body. While devising and practicing contemporary forms of livelihood, he also conducts fieldwork on traditional and practical knowledge spanning urban and rural areas in Mongolia, Japan, and Thailand, and collaborates with anthropologists to research the potential of Nariwai.His primary livelihoods include training journeys in Mongolia and Thailand, seasonal farming, serving as chairman of the National Floor Laying Association, and managing an artist-in-residence program with a retail space. His major publications include *Creating Nariwai* and *Creating Idokoro* (both published by Tokyo Shoseki).
Fukasawa Takafumi
Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1984; currently resides in Hokkaido. He carries out projects in various regions, establishing and putting into practice alternative philosophies for coexistence in different settings. At the 2015 Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, he conducted a lifestyle survey by staying in various private homes in Echigo-Tsumari through homestay programs, and used the findings to open the “Echigo-Tsumari Folk Stay Museum.” He began his research in Akiyamago in 2022.
Here is a rendering of the finished gel.
▼Facility Information
Akeyama – Akiyama-go Municipal Oakasawa Elementary School –
Open | Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July 18, 2026 (Sat) to November 8, 2026 (Sun)
Hours | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission | Adults: 800 yen; Elementary and middle school students: 400 yen *Fee may be included in the ETAT Passport or Common Ticket, depending on the period.
Photo by Kanemoto Rintaro
Summary
| Date and time | October 10 (Sat) – 11 (Sun), 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue |
Akeyama – Akiyama-go Municipal Oakasawa Elementary School – |
| Admission |
1,000 yen + admission fee (800 yen for Adults / 400 yen for elementary and junior high school students) *Please pay in cash on site.
|
Related Information
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