Intern Voices

A blog written by student interns at KaleidoForest, a forest-bathing and nature-based wellness project on the island of Yakushima, Japan

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Looking Back: Yakushima Blog No. 8

My time on Yakushima as a KaleidoForest intern was an incredibly enriching and formative experience, both academically and personally. My introduction to shinrin-yoku deepened my appreciation for the reciprocal relationship between the human and nonhuman worlds, while the experience of living on the remarkable island of Yakushima for six weeks is one I remember with deep gratitude, fondness, and nostalgia.

One of my key takeaways from my experience with shinrin-yoku is that more harmonious relationships between people and nature can only be achieved if it is indeed treated as a relationship. Practices like shinrin-yoku, which encourage such reciprocal thinking beyond anthropocentric boundaries, are therefore vital for repairing the damaged relationships between society and the natural world. My internship with KaleidoForest thus transformed my understanding of concepts such as ‘sustainability’ and the ‘environment’, helping to expand my academic worldview and horizons.

In my spare time, I explored the island by bike and on foot, climbing mountains (including Mt. Miyanoura, the highest mountain on Yakushima), swimming in rivers and oceans, and sampling a variety of local delicacies. I found the forests of Yakushima particularly striking, and it is easy to see why they gained UNESCO World Heritage Site Status, in recognition of the rich and diverse flora, ancient yakusugi trees, and the numerous endemic plant and animal species. 

I am incredibly grateful to all those who made my internship such a transformative experience, including everyone at KaleidoForest and those I met on the island who were so helpful and kind. Yakushima felt like a remarkably welcoming, warm and friendly place, despite my lack of Japanese language proficiency. I particularly valued the opportunities to speak to local people during interviews and at community events, to get a sense of what it’s like to live on Yakushima, and learn about traditions such as the takemairi ritual. These experiences have left me more hopeful for the future, as it was inspiring to witness the strength of community among local people and their attitudes to the nonhuman world.

I hope to return to Yakushima at some point in the future, and until then, I will look back with nostalgia on my many fond memories of the island!

Alex

[kaleidoforest]

Kayaking, Sunrise, and Reflections: Yakushima Blog No. 7

As I enter my last week here on Yakushima, my awareness of how quickly this stage of my life is coming to a close has rapidly grown on me. With this in mind, I have been seeking to maximise my final few days here, including a couple of days of early rises to see the sunrise (or, in Thursday's case, simply watch the clouds get lighter!).

I also faced the tough choice of what to do on my last two free days, as I realised that (inevitably, of course), there will always remain unfinished dreams and adventures (a reason to return!). Should I climb Mt. Mocchomu, the stunning granite mountain towering over Onoaida; should I return to Yakusugi land for a more extensive visit; perhaps visit the Shiratani Unsui Gorge, one of the highlights of Yakushima that I have yet to see; or perhaps rent a kayak and paddle up the river from Anbo? Tough choices, and in the end I opted for the latter, partly due to logistical constraints given I no longer have access to a car.

This turned out to be a great choice! Aside from - or perhaps including - a true soaking by what has to be the most intense rain I've experienced, it was a lovely experience to paddle up and down the river (something I ended up doing twice, as it turns out you can only paddle a couple of kilometres upriver before reaching impassable rapids).

And on my other free day, I chose to combine a bike ride with some souvenir/present shopping, and some reading in preparation for my next year of university (perhaps I should have been a little more adventurous on this day, with hindsight!).

Besides this, other highlights of my last week or so have included a visit to an elementary school in Anbo to assist with English teaching, and a lovely lunch at the Yakushima Iwasaki Hotel with KaleidoForest colleagues, followed by a swim at a magical waterfall and plunge pool nestled in the woods nearby.

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Poets, Coral Reefs, Regenerative Agriculture: Yakushima Blog No. 6

Whilst my first four weeks on Yakushima were filled with adventure and exploration, the arrival of a group of sustainability researchers from the 'Balaton Group' has created the opportunity for a slightly less active few days of learning and reflection (although no less busy!).

Founded in 1982 in the aftermath of the infamous 'Limits to Growth' report, the Balaton Group is comprised of over 400 participants who partake in an annual conference (this year in Japan). I was grateful to have the chance to discuss key issues with experts in their field about critical sustainability issues.

We were also lucky enough to tag on to some of their activities and tours, which revealed to me a new side of the island and its inhabitants. On Wednesday, for example, we were given a guided tour of the forests near Nagata by a local plant ecologist, who is also campaigning for an expansion of the UNESCO protected area on Yakushima. Part of this tour included a visit to the former home of Sansei Yamao, the renowned poet and deep ecologist who made his home nestled in the woods of Yakushima.

And yesterday, we took part in a tour of the Aperuy eco-lodge and guesthouse where sustainability, regenerative practices, and 'off-grid' living are embodied in everyday life (see the below photos of organic, small-scale rice growing, for example).

Fitting in with the sustainability theme, we had another bright and early start yesterday morning to witness the arrival of the "Blue Ocean Miraie". This beautiful sailing ship is carrying a group of coral reef researchers and artists, from the island of Kikaijima, all the way to Osaka, exemplifying the benefits and importance of interdisciplanary collaboration between the arts and sciences.

Other than this, the last few days have continued to bring great weather, and great food - especially Tuesday's lunch with the Balaton Group - see photo!

[kaleidoforest]

Jomon Sugi, Kuchinoerabu Island, shinrin-yoku retreat: Yakushima blog No. 5

It's been a busy week or so since the last blog!

First of all, I was fortunate to be invited to participate in KaleidoForest's multi-day shinrin-yoku retreat last weekend. This was a great opportunity to once again become immersed in the mystical forests of Yakushima, as well as meet some fascinating people from all over South East Asia. By Monday, I was left with a deep sense of gratitude and calm, a powerful testament to the potential of shinrin-yoku.

The very next day was the hike to Jomon Sugi, the oldest tree on Yakushima, estimated to be up to 7,200 years old! Although the hike was fairly arduous (8-9 hours round trip) and I had to force myself out of bed for another early (3.45 am!) start, the experience itself was magical. About half the hike is spent trekking on old, seldom used wooden train tracks, which is pleasantly walkable and aesthetic, while the other half consists of a steeper climb on a mixture of steps and footpath to the ancient tree itself.

Later in the week, we travelled to Kuchinoerabu, a small volcanic island close to Yakushima. With an eruption expected in 2025, the population has dwindled to just 80, and the number of pupils at the school (elementary and high school combined) has dropped to a mere 3. Yet, it was a stunning island, largely covered in bamboo grass and populated largely by deer. What's more, the people we met were incredibly hospitable and welcoming and we were treated to a wonderful dinner at our guesthouse in the evening.

I am sure that the visit to Kuchinoearabu Island in particular will remain long in my memory as a highlight of my six weeks in Yakushima!

[kaleidoforest]

Mt Miyanoura! Yakushima Blog No. 4

At nearly 2000m above sea level, Mount Miyanoura is the highest mountain on Yakushima and is considered one of the highlights of the island's hiking scene.

Having spent most of my time so far exploring the coast, I was delighted to be given the chance to travel to the very heart of the island and photograph our ascent.

Although the prospect of waking up at 4.30am did not fill me with joy, the glorious morning sun rising over the mountains made it well worth the effort.

As for the hike itself, it begins through winding, vibrant green forests, which gradually transitions into dense shrubbery before opening out into a boulder-strewn, almost-spiritual landscape covered in dense bamboo grass. Despite the thick cloud which initially greated us, we were treated to the occassional blue sky and glimpses across to the deep blue ocean.

And if, like us, you are fortunate, you may well glimpse Yakushima's monkeys and (suprisingly tame) deer hanging out in the forest!

So overall, despite the exhaustion by the end and the early start, this hike will remain one of the highlights of my trip!

[kaleidoforest]

Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku): Yakushima Blog No. 3

The sun has continued to shine over my recent days in Yakushima, and I have been treated to beautiful sunsets and starry night skies (due to the lack of light pollution, Yakushima is one of the best places in Japan to see the stars).

I have also been lucky enough to partake and assist with a day of forest bathing (shinrin yoku), led by certified forest therapist Makiko Sugishita, who was guiding a group of students and a professor from Tokyo University.

My role was mainly photography (see attached!) but this gave me plenty of time to experience forest bathing at its best. Becoming immersed in the forest creates a feeling impossible to fully describe, activating the senses and heightening one's sense of awareness and connection with nature.

At its core, shinrin yoku simply means spending time in the forest, or nature, as a theraputic exercise. Yet, when you experience it, it becomes so much more! As you sit amid the lush greenery of Yakushima's vibrant forest, it is as if the trees come alive and you are somehow deeply and intrinsically connected to their abundance.

So, whether or not with a certified guide like those at KaleidoForest, I would highly recommend forest bathing for everyone!

[kaleidoforest]

Exploring the Island: Yakushima Blog No.2

Having spent the last 5 days exploring Yakushima and marvelling at its natural wonders, I am increasingly understanding why Yakushima has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

From snorkelling with sea turtles on sandy white beaches in the sunshine to collecting shellfish on rocky coastlines, I have been fortunate enough to witness a few of the many wonders of Yakushima (but there are many more to come!)

And from conversations with locals and a visit to the Environmental and Cultural Centre in Miyanoura, I am gaining an appreciation of the deep connections between people and nature in Yakushima. Here, nature is not a separate entity but rather an intrinsic element of everyday life.

This combination of natural beauty and harmony with nature is one of many reasons why Yakushima is an ideal location for shinrin-yoku ("forest bathing"), allowing people to become truly immersed in the natural world in such a way that is difficult to replicate in other parts of the world.

[kaleidoforest]

First day on Yakushima with KaleidoForest!

Welcome to my Yakushima blog! 

As a brief introduction, my name is Alex and I’ve just started my six weeks as an intern for KaleidoForest on the magical island of Yakushima, Japan.

I spend most of my time in Cambridge (UK) studying for a degree in Human Social and Political Sciences. Having recently finished my second year at Cambridge, I have come to Yakushima to complete the ‘Leadership in Action’ component of the Laidlaw Research and Leadership programme. This programme trains undergraduate students like myself in research and leadership skills, and requires us to spend 6 weeks abroad with an organisation promoting sustainability related projects - such as KaleidoForest. 

But who are KaleidoForest? 

KaleidoForest is an organisation providing shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’ for clients from all over the world. Shinrin-yoku is a therapeutic experience in which one immerses themselves in nature, and it is associated with a range of wellbeing and health benefits from stress reduction to lower blood pressure. 

So here I am, in Yakushima, interning for KaleidoForest! And I’ll be blogging my six weeks here, to share my experiences, lessons, and challenges. 

Today has been my orientation day, and a good chance to recover from jetlag. After setting off at 5am Monday morning and arriving in Yakushima 6.30pm yesterday evening, needless to say I was pretty exhausted when I arrived!

But despite the jet lag, I’ve already been able to appreciate the beauties of Yakushima, including the breath-taking oko-no-taki waterfall, lunch at Tsukazaki tide pools, and a wonderful sunset on the flight from Kagoshima Airport. 

That’s it for now, but I’ll be updating this blog every few days! Next time, expect more details of my adventures in Yakushima!

Thanks for reading!

Alex