Fishing and Traditional Cooking in a Shizuoka Village

Step away from Japan’s fast-paced cities and discover a quieter way of life in the countryside known as satoyama, where people live closely with nature. In a mountain village in Shizuoka, you will be welcomed into a traditional home by local hosts and spend a day experiencing simple rural living, from outdoor tasks to a shared home-cooked meal with views of Mt. Fuji. Your experience begins at JR Fujiueda Station, where your host will meet you and drive you to their home. The drive takes around 30 minutes, gradually leading you away from the city into a peaceful mountain setting. Once you arrive, you will start by chopping firewood and learn how this everyday task supports life in the countryside. You will then head out for fishing, guided by your host, to catch fresh local fish. Back at the house, you will help prepare a meal using traditional methods. A fire will be lit in a sunken hearth, and you will cook with seasonal ingredients following local recipes. Yamame trout and vegetables will be grilled over the fire and served with freshly cooked rice, creating a simple meal rooted in the rhythms of rural life. After eating together, your hosts will take you back to JR Fujiueda Station. This experience offers a calm and grounded look at life in Japan’s countryside, where daily routines are closely tied to nature and shared moments.