＃001｜Who I Am and Why I'm Here｜Where the Water Comes from the Mountain of Rural Japan
In this episode, Ayami introduces herself — and the life she lives deep in the mountains of Gifu.
She draws her water from a mountain stream. She heats her bath with firewood. Her family grows tea on land farmed for generations along the ancient Nakasendo highway, in the valleys of Nakatsugawa and Ena.
This episode traces the journey that brought her here — from backpacking alone through Africa at nineteen, to raising a family in rural Gifu, to finally founding Rural Japan: a company dedicated to bringing travelers into the heart of a world that is quietly disappearing.
Why does she live this way? The answer is simple — and urgent.
"If I stop, this way of life disappears with me."
We invite you to experience the timeless beauty of this historic trail firsthand.
🍂Autumn Journey into #DeepJapan:
soak in fall colours of Gifu and Nakasendo in Central Japan while hiking across rural landscapes and exploring kabuki, historical postal towns of Nakasendo, mountain trails and samurai stories.
3 days/ 2 nights tour in 2026 with two dinners and two breakfasts included is conducted on:
Oct 25–27
Nov 8–10
Nov 13–15
Nov 24–26
(4 options to choose from)
Intimate & Exclusive:
Group sizes are strictly limited to just 5 guests to ensure an authentic, high-quality connection. Private tour options are also available for families or colleagues.
Spaces are highly limited. Secure your spot and experience Japan at its most serene.
🔗 https://ruraljapantour.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/DeepJapanInAutumn2026.pdf [https://ruraljapantour.com/.../06/DeepJapanInAutumn2026.pdf]Listener survey
I’d love to hear your feedback! Please check the link in the description and answer our short survey. Your input will help us shape future episodes and tours.
https://forms.gle/1xBpTn3GNt2hEqk66 [https://forms.gle/1xBpTn3GNt2hEqk66]
About us: we are a local team in Ena and Nakatsugawa, practicing sustainable, community-based tourism.
Meet locals, experience satoyama culture, and discover the hidden Japan beyond tourist spots.
Contact us: info@ruraljapan.co.jp [info@ruraljapan.co.jp]
Website: https://ruraljapantour.com/ [https://ruraljapantour.com/]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruraljapantour/ [https://www.instagram.com/ruraljapantour/]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579599453501 [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579599453501]
｜Episode Notes
EP.01 — Who I Am and Why I'm Here
Meet Ayami, founder of Rural Japan, living deep in the mountains of Ena, Gifu—where water comes straight from a stream and baths are heated with firewood.
In this debut episode, Ayami shares her personal journey and why she dedicated her life to preserving the quietly disappearing ways of rural Japan:
* The Spark in Africa: How backpacking through Mozambique and Malawi as a young woman revealed a deep, universal connection to traditional ways of life and living memory.
* Coming Home: Eleven years running an e-commerce business from her kitchen table in Gifu while holding onto a quiet dream.
* The Alignment: How a meeting with Professor Takano from Nagoya University three years ago finally brought her vision of sustainable, immersive rural tourism to life.
* Why This Matters: A reflection on protecting centuries of local wisdom, forest knowledge, and the spirit of a community that refuses to fade away.
Join us as we explore the Japan most travelers never see—not neon lights, but ancient roads, woodsmoke, and the enduring heart of the mountains.
