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about
BIO Lodge

The BIO Lodge is located in a spot that looks out to a beautiful view of the mountains.
It is an eco-friendly and people-friendly lodging facility.

Trees, grass, flowers, birds and other living creatures change with the seasons.
Along with the flow of water and air, the tilt of the sun, the movement of the moon and stars.
We want you to spend a relaxing time in this space surrounded by nature, while experiencing the satoyama lifestyle (traditional japanese lifestyle living in harmony with nature) and enjoying hand made/organically produced foods.
Depending on the season, you can also experience harvesting of produce yourself.

Architecture

The satoyama lifestyle is a traditional japanese style of living in harmony with nature, which is a sustainable and recycling-oriented lifestyle.
To some people it may seem like a difficult lifestyle but we want to show you that it is not so difficult and is very enjoyable. We want people to experience this sustainable lifestyle that is aligned with nature.
With this in mind, we built the lodge ourselves over a period of two years, using environmentally friendly materials and traditional construction methods.

Environmentally Friendly:
We have mainly used materials that have been used traditionally in the area for a long time, as they are the best for the conditions in this location.
The warmth of the interior is created by using Tenryu cedar, one of Japan's most beautiful forest trees.
The facade is made of burnt cedar planks using recycled wood.
The white plaster walls are mixed with straw and the wooden window frames are tarnished with a black persimmon tannin coating.
The house is not hermetically sealed, the air can somewhat pass through the natural materials and naturally regulate itself in different climates. Just like how people adjust their layers of clothing according to the temperature.

Natural energy:
Energy during the stay is generated by solar panels, and water is drawn from the mountains.
Bath water is heated by a boiler and stove using wood collected on the property and in the community.
This property is completely off-grid and does not rely on any outside energy source.

ーーーpriceーーー
2 guests : ¥25,000 〜
　　　　 　　 3 guests or more : add +¥ 7,500 each
up to 6 guests　　　

Experiencing Satoyama Life

Cutting down trees to make firewood and charcoal, harvesting fruit trees, and collecting fallen leaves to use as fertilizer for the fields.
We take care of the mountains in exchange for nature's blessings in our daily lives.
We practice sustainable living while learning from our seniors in the village and our friends who live in the mountains.
We hope that all visitors at BIO Lodge will experience the satoyama way of life.

Experience Menu:

• Chopping firewood - free
  
• Making bath water with fire - free
  The water used in the bath and kitchen is heated with a firewood boiler every day.
  
• Bonfire ¥1,500
  Enjoy a special time while watching the flames flicker.
  
• Site tour - Free
  The entire Nishimuki property, including the BIO Lodge.
   We are still in the process of developing the site, but we are happy to show you around and explain the satoyama lifestyle.
  
• Walking tour of the neighboring villages - ¥1,000 / any number of people
  You will be able to see the Satoyama lifestyle in the neighboring villages that have been established along the Yoshikawa Valley. The walk may include the following:
    -Tour of the Tomoda Family Residence (traditional old japanese house)
   -Katabuki Village, now submerged in a lake at the top of a dam
   -Kadota village, a marshland with clumps of Japanese pampas grass
   -Quaint small temples and shrines
  The tour takes about 60 to 90 minutes and you may be able to interact with charming local residents.
  
• Water source walk - ¥2,000 / any number of people
  Nishimuki’s water is drawn from a stream deep in the mountains. We will guide you through the water system by walking along the animal trail to the water source located on the mountain. On the way, there are cliffs and a stream to climb, making it a bit of an adventure. The tour takes about 90 minutes.
  *May not be possible depending on the time of day and mountain conditions.
  
• Open air can drum bath - ¥3,500 / any number of people
  Have a bath outside in the open air, with firewood heated mountain water.
  *Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to do this.
  
• Harvest Experience - Free
  Enjoy harvesting seasonal fruit trees and other edible produce.
  -Spring: Bamboo shoots, bracken, cod sprouts, sweet summer oranges, shiitake mushrooms
  -Summer: Mulberry, plum, loquat, apricot, blueberry, tea leaves
  -Autumn: Grapes, walnuts, shiitake mushrooms, nameko mushrooms, persimmons, kiwi fruit
  -Winter: Hassaku orange, kumquat
  
• Homemade food experience - ¥3,000 and up to
  Make syrup, fruit wine, or jam with seasonal harvests.
  You can take home the finished products.
  (Approximate amount: 500ml bottle or more of syrup, 2 bottles of jam 140ml or more)
  
• Natural dyeing (persimmon tannin dye) - ¥3,000 and up to
  We offer herb dyeing using wild plants and persimmon tannin dyeing using homemade persimmon tannin.
  Why don't you revitalize your clothes or scarves that have stains on them?
  
• Dried persimmon making - ¥3,000 and up to
  In this area, dried persimmons have been a traditional thing to make in late autumn. After they are processed, they are hung under the eaves. We will harvest astringent persimmons and teach you how to make dried persimmons, a technique taught directly by a local grandfather.
  
• Traditional mochi making (rice cakes) - ¥5,000 and up to
  The mochi rice is steamed in a traditional way and pounded with a large pestle and mortar.
  The taste is very different from the mochi sold on the market.
  
• Making Miso (fermented soybean paste) - ¥5,000 and up to
  Soybeans are boiled and crushed, and mixed with malt and sun-dried salt from a long-established store in town.
  Recommended for those new to fermentation and homemade products. Also good for hands-on experience with children.