Protecting and sharing the natural beauty of Ugakei Valley in Inabe, Mie, and making the outdoors a place to learn about environmental conservation

What is Ugakei?

Ugakei can be found on the border between Mie and Shiga prefectures. The area is abundant in nature and enjoys a varied topography and climate created by the Suzuka mountains.

The unique conditions brought about by mixing the climates of the Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean have developed a habitat suited to rare animal and plant species.
Visitors to the area can experience the scenery changing across the four seasons, with beautiful autumn foliage in fall and snow-covered landscapes in winter.

Ugakei has also been recognized by the Ministry of the Environment as a natural environment that should be preserved for future generations. Consequently, Ugakei has been conserved as a satoyama (a natural landscape formed by human activities) with an important natural environment.

The People Protecting Ugakei

The local NPO Ryu no Mori carries out activities to conserve the forests at Ugakei. Established by local resident Mr. Morooka and others, Ryu no Mori’s aim is to restore the long abandoned and unruly mountain forests to a healthy condition. The organization has been working to create a sustainable environment by thinning trees, reusing forest resources, and other initiatives.

Utilizing Local Resources and Restoring Nature

Ryu no Mori has also been making use of thinned trees in the local community by turning them into charcoal and firewood.

Moreover, at Mokuiku no Mori (“forest of growing with trees”), a place for children to learn and get hands-on experience in the heart of nature, the organization also hosts events inviting children to play in the great outdoors and grill river-caught fish on the BBQ. These experiences teach local children about the wonder of nature and cultivate in them an awareness of environmental conservation.

Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI

At Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI, a campground in Ugakei operated by Danish company Nordisk, importance is placed on the concept of sustainability.

Designed in a way to make the most of the beauty of nature, the buildings use renewable and waste materials in their construction.

The center house at Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI is low energy thanks to a design that quantifies the amount of sunlight entering the building.

Meanwhile, the cabins, which have a similar shape to the center house, feature bright interior spaces with plenty of windows and skylights that also let in plenty of natural light. At night, guests can even enjoy a moment of luxury tucked up in bed while gazing at the stars.

Wild CIRCLES

Alternatively, you can have fun camping on the grounds of Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI at a spot called Wild CIRCLES.

Pitch your tent and spend time outdoors listening to the bubbling waters of the Ugagawa River and rustling trees in this magical place.

(If you build an open fire, make sure to deal with any leftover charcoal by either taking it home with you or burning it until it is fully reduced to ashes.)

A Special Time Spent in Nature

Hygge is a Danish word encompassing the concepts of “spending time in a fulfilling way and having the right state of mind” and “a time and space where you can feel comfortable and relaxed, and the sense of happiness that this brings.”

The name “Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI” is imbued with the hope that people spend a moment of hygge in the verdant nature of Ugakei.

Cuisine that Utilizes Produce Grown in Inabe for Local Consumption

The menu at Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI features a wide variety of ingredients grown locally in Inabe. Diners can feel a connection to the region by savoring food prepared under the direction of Danish experts accompanied by Inabe wine.

In future, the facility also has plans to offer survival training, which will allow participants to get hands-on knowledge on getting drinking water, lighting fires, and keeping warm in the wilderness; these skills can then be used in the event of a disaster or similar situation.

Surrounded by the nature at Ugakei, this is the perfect place to contemplate how to make the most out of our lives and spend time with purpose.