Mr. Wakita has been working at Tsukigatani Onsen for 25 years, ever since he graduated from high school. It has been several years since he became vice president of KAMIKATSU Ikkyu Co., Ltd. and he has been active in the front lines, proactively responding to customer service requests himself.

“I am from Katsuura, a town next to Kamikatsu. When I was a child, I used to play in the mountains around Hoshi no Iwaya as if it were my own garden. At the time I started working, it was before Kamikatsu Town had yet to make its zero-waste declaration. But I knew that the town was attracting attention for its "Irodori1” business, which sells leaves nationwide, so I thought, ‘This neighboring town looks kind of interesting...’even before I started working here.”

Since the beginning of his employment, Mr. Wakita has been involved in the operation and customer service not only at Tsukigatani Onsen but also at the campground2, which is busy in the spring and summer. One of the most memorable experiences for Mr. Wakita in his past efforts at Tsukigatani Onsen was the experience of offering medicinal herb dishes and conducting classes on medicinal herbs and traditional local cuisine at from around 2005-2015. He says that the event was held with "food and health" at the forefront and with an emphasis on local production for local consumption.

“I think that using medicinal herbs in cooking was a unique approach at the time. We also offered 'medicinal herb curry' and other dishes. But we didn't just eat them, we also did some exercises and took hot springs baths... Our concept was to make people healthy from the inside and out.”

The commitment to "food and health" led to the health tourism "Health Dojo Tour - Awa Pilgrimage and Leafy Town Tokushima/Kamikatsu Course" jointly developed by major manufacturer Sunstar, Tokushima Prefecture, and Kamikatsu Town in 2018. The tour combines hiking and pilgrimage walking on the beautiful moss-covered mountain, Mt. Yamainudake in Kamikatsu with dishes using seasonal vegetables from Kamikatsu. Tsukigatani Onsen provided particular support for this "food" portion of the tour. Under the guidance of Sunstar's nutritionist, they came up with a menu that was low in calories but pleasing in appearance and volume.

“The health tourism program was the catalyst for all the tours that we started at Mt. Yamainudake. We have been consistently offering this tour as "Mt. Yamainudake Health Walking," which includes a yoga stretching experience. Mt. Yamainudake is a beautiful mountain with moss forests, and many people visit to see the fantastic scenery. It is also popular among beginners who have never climbed a mountain before because they can climb slowly and leisurely.”

This is a well-rounded tour that includes lunch and bathing at Tsukigatani Onsen. Mr. Wakita often serves as a guide leading the participants.

“Grandfathers and grandmothers in Kamikatsu seem to find it hard to believe that Mt. Yamainudake has become a famous place for moss and that so many people come to visit (laughs). But the mountain is a beautiful place that is well maintained with the help of the local people and has really beautiful scenery. It would be a shame not to go there."

The restaurant also offers a dinner (for hotel guests only) that includes a hands-on experience of "Irodori," the leaf business that has made Kamikatsu famous throughout Japan. The experience can also be combined with lunch if you consult with them in advance.

While listening to an explanation of what kind of business "irodori" is and what kind of leaves are shipped by irodori farmers in Kamikatsu, participants strolled around "Irodori Mountain" located on the grounds of Tsukigatani Onsen. This unique experience allows visitors to learn about the beauty of "irodori" by picking their own nanten leaves and other leaves, which are popular as a decoration for Washoku dishes, and decorating their meal plates and dishes with colorful leaves. Above all, when comparing the leaves you pick with those that are shipped as products, you will be surprised at the difference in beauty. It is hard to believe that they are leaves from the same plant, and you will learn about the "irodori" business in depth.

Another new initiative of the inn is the "Kamikatsu Room," which was created in 2023.

Erina Ogushi, who worked at Tsukigatani Onsen as a member of the Regional Development Cooperation Volunteers in Kamikatsu until March 2023, said, "I wanted to create a room where people can enjoy Kamikatsu's unique atmosphere, including zero-waste. The interior design, furnishings, and amenities have been brushed up, including a trash box made from local cedar wood, a luggage rack made from upcycled kimono sashes, and an indigo-dyed tapestry made from KINOF, a yarn made from thinned cedar wood. I think we have created a room with a Kamikatsu feel and a high quality atmosphere at the same time.”

In addition, as amenities for guest rooms at the inn, toothbrushes and combs were replaced with bamboo ones from plastic, and these were introduced in all rooms this spring.

“Of course, it would be ideal if guests themselves brought their own amenities. However, the reality is that many of the guests who use Tsukigatani Onsen are seniors, and many of them come empty-handed. Since many of them have not yet heard of Zero-Waste Declaration, I think it is our mission at Tsukigatani Onsen to gradually promote Zero-Waste activities and sustainability in Kamikatsu through this kind of initiative.”

In addition, the spacious indoor glamping room "TSUKI-AKARI," was opened in spring of 2024. This is an unprecedented space with a relaxed outdoor taste, a space where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy an extraordinary experience.

“The open-air terrace area offers a view of the Katsuura River as well as stargazing. As an indoor glamping facility that is not affected by the weather, we hope you will use it to create special memories with your family and friends with young children. We hope many of you will spend time in this room.”

Under Mr. Wakita's leadership, many new experiences and new guest rooms have been created at Tsukigatani Onsen. We hope that visitors will not only soak in the hot spring to relieve their fatigue, but also experience the various "Kamikatsu-ness" of the area.

*1 Irodori: Also known as the "leaf business," this is an agricultural business that grows, ships, and sells "tsumamono," or leaves that add beauty and color to Japanese cuisine. The business started in 1986 under the brand name "Irodori (color)" to sell leaves found in the mountains of Kamikatsu. About 150 farmers in Kamikatsu participate in this business. Annual sales are approximately 200 million yen. The movie "Life, Irodori" about this "Irodori" business was released in 2012.
https://irodori.co.jp/

*2 Tsukigatani Onsen Village Campsite: The campsite across the Katsuura River from Tsukigatani Onsen used to be managed and operated by Kamikatsu Ikkyu, which operates Tsukigatani Onsen. Now it is called "Pangaea Field" and is managed by Pangaea LLC.
http://www.k-pangaea.com/