Hi there, it's Minami.

Anyone who has been living in Kanto or other urban areas recently and has not been exposed to nature?

Are you interested in climate change, the environment and sustainability, but don't know how to take the first loose step?

Are there people who want to enjoy nature with their pets and family but are not ready to go camping?

Today, I would like to introduce a wonderful nature-rich learning place called "SANTOME KONJAKU MURA (SANTOME PAST & PRESENT VILLAGE)" located between Fujimino and Tokorozawa stations in Saitama Prefecture that can solve those needs!

Nature-filled space in a facility with a circulation theme.

The theme of the facility here is "circulation".

Originally, this area was once a village of garbage where illegal dumping was repeated.

A recycling company called Ishizaka Sangyo attempted to revitalize it, purchased it, and turned it into a recycling site.

Things here are structured in such a way that energy to resources, food, can be completed in the facility whenever possible.

As for natural energy, they are using geothermal energy as much as possible and purchasing renewable electricity from other companies to meet their energy needs. At this point in time, 100% is quite impressive.

The main facility, a recycling plant, is located in the center, surrounded by nature-filled gardens and glamping areas.

The facility is huge!

It is the equivalent of 4.5 Tokyo Domes.

It is about 2.5 square kilometers. That's a lot of space!

Large garden for ecological and vegetable study

Plus, a short walk from the entrance, lots of phrases hinting at home gardens! It was written in the plant description.

Even if someone who doesn't seem to have a vegetable garden goes there, I think they will want to do it. LOL.

In fact, every single garden here has mini-signs all over the place introducing the usefulness of the herbs and other plants in the gardens where they grow!

It is very educational and just a garden can be more enjoyable with knowledge.

Personally, this is where I first learned the term nectar source!

(A nectar source is the kind of plant that makes the bees come.)

I was very happy to be able to learn how to plant together, and as someone who enjoys vegetable gardening, I was very pleased.

I would really like to show you all the photos I took in this blog post, but the page would be too heavy, so I will weigh myself.

You can also see plants that are quite rare in Japan, such as mimosa. I also learned a lot about plants that I used to see in the past, but never knew they had such names and effects! I learned a lot from them.

Lots of books on the SDGs and the environment in the facility's restaurant! You can read as you like!

This is where I personally like it the most!

There are so many books, and there is so much to learn just by reading books here, such as what authors are offering their opinions, what problems they are facing, and how far Japan and the world have come in solving these problems.

I was surprised to see all these books! There are all kinds of books, from the famous ones to the ones I hadn't seen much of.

Not only does this restaurant have a great atmosphere, and you can eat organic vegetables on the spot (which is already enough in itself)!

Oh my God, books on sustainability, the environment, satoyama studies, ecosystems... just a whole bunch of books that are deeply connected to nature! There are books on sustainability, the environment, Satoyama studies, ecology, and so on.

It is no longer a fashionable library when it goes so far.

Tea is also available. Isn't it wonderful that you can come not only to eat for dinner, but also to visit the library feeling even if you are not hungry?

There is a nice big garden, so it would be nice to hang out with friends from morning to evening.

I went on a weekday, and although there were a few people there for lunch at noon, it was not crowded to capacity, and there is even a nice terrace where you can learn while enjoying nature in a relaxed atmosphere.

The current president of Ishizaka Sangyo, a particularly well-known

Five Senses Management Daughter of Industrial Waste Company Talks Reversal(五感経営 産廃会社の娘、逆転を語る)

Turning a company into the most beloved company in the world, even if it is in desperate straits! -The second generation female president's sobbing war story(絶体絶命でも世界一愛される会社に変える! ―2代目女性社長の号泣戦記)

Some of them are, of course, looser than others.

I did not know there was a book called Botanical Life.

Maybe my vegetable garden diary can be made into a book someday! ＾ｖ＾

You can also get low-load rice from the local market.

It also has a restaurant, making it a place where visitors can enjoy themselves all day long.

To be honest, the prices are not reasonable, but if you are in town, why not stop by this restaurant where you can enjoy organic vegetables and more sustainable meats as a souvenir?

I ordered the duck fettuccine, which incidentally was the recommendation of the day.

The salad was delicious.

Also, the elderflower drink in the set was delicious.

They said it had stevia in it, and it was very sweet, but we were there in the winter, so a hot drink would have helped immensely!

There's even a terrace where you can eat outside while breathing in the fresh air!

And they also sold some delicious-looking bread.

The bread was so huge, "It's the size of a cartoon~!" I was so excited in my heart.

Animal care in accordance with animal welfare

The facility has goats and chickens, which are raised to create a recycling-based facility.

The goats will eat the surrounding grass and the chickens are for providing eggs and chicken in the restaurant.

Usually, young chickens are used for food culture because of their meat quality, but here they seem to get chickens in their third year, when they are no longer able to lay eggs.

The goats were especially cute and soothing to me personally.

Goats are actually often kept in renewable energy systems. They eat weeds that change the storage rate of solar panels.

In case you can't finish your meal at the restaurant, don't worry. It seems that leftover food can be turned into chicken rice! (The best thing to do, though, is not to leave any leftovers.)

Also, I don't think this is directly related, but

There was a crow-billed chicken (Ukokei) walking in the neighborhood.

Were they free-range? It was fluffy and cute. LOL!

You can even bring your pets and the whole family can have fun!

To be honest, I have not been there on weekends yet, so I cannot assume how crowded it would be, but at least it seemed spacious on weekdays. There were quite a few participants only during the recycling tours, but if you just want to use the facilities, I think you can enjoy them at your leisure. (Oh, and the restaurant was probably half full at lunch time)

If you are bringing your pet, please check here.

Of course, there are facilities where even small children can play.

Didn't you long for a small cabin as a child?

There was also a miniature train and other things.

And of course there's the gift shop!

It is fun just to look at them, such as Eco More Chips, which are wood chips from recycled wood at Ishizaka Sangyo, felt planters for home vegetable gardens, and fair trade coffee.

Lots of nature, yet easily accessible from the city center.

The last good thing is that there is a free shuttle bus service from Tokorozawa Station.

The hours are quite limited, but just hearing that there is a free shuttle bus service is enough to make you want to go!

I urge you to go and take advantage of this opportunity!

If the main recycling plant bothers you! Who is this recycling-conscious Ishizaka Sangyo? If you are interested in the main recycling plant, please take a look at the tour report here.

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Access:

• 1589-2, Kamitomi, Miyoshi-cho, Iruma-gun, Saitama 354-0045, Japan
• Approximately 20 minutes by car from Tokorozawa IC. Parking and bicycle parking available.
• Free shuttle bus service is available between Fujimino Station on the Tobu Tojo Line and Tokorozawa Station on the Seibu Line.
  Approximately 30 minutes by bus from each station

Reference: Ishizaka Sangyo Corporation.

SANTOME KONJAKU MURA (SANTOME PAST & PRESENT VILLAGE)