In Hinode, a town blessed with the quiet beauty of Japan’s traditional satoyama landscape—the gently cultivated countryside where human life meets wild nature—stands the Tokyo Hinode Samurai Residence, a stately home once built by a wealthy village headman. Its timeless elegance has not faded; rather, it continues to draw visitors into another world and time.

At the heart of this historic estate’s revival is Takeo Kubota, who has transformed it into a place where city and nature, community and society are all woven together. Today, the Samurai Residence welcomes travelers from around the world—not only as a filming location, but also as a space for immersive cultural experiences such as ninja training, dressing up in traditional Japanese princess attire, and tea ceremonies. Yet beyond its picturesque charm lies something deeper: a living cultural heritage that has quietly inherited and carried forward the stories filled with hopes, struggles, and mutual support of the people who have lived through the changing times.

Calling himself “a farmer by day and a ninja by night,” Takeo Kubota not only tends to this historic Residence, but he also runs an organic farm called Tokyo Terra Farm in the neighboring city of Akiruno. From these two places—where nature and human life intersect—he reflects on what it means to live a steady, grounded life rooted in the local community.

Hinode: A Town Where Nature and Community Intertwine

——Could you tell us about the Tokyo Hinode Samurai Residence?

Takeo Kubota (TK): This place was built in 1881 by the local Furuyama family, a wealthy landowner, who spent seven years completing it. Later, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone  (1918-2019) visited several times, considering it as a potential villa before he eventually purchased a derelict house across the mountain—what would later become the Hinode Sanso, where he hosted figures such as U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader, after his retirement.

After World War II, this place became a high-end restaurant called Hachimantei. Each night, torches were lit in the garden, and the grounds shone like a castle of light in the valley, drawing crowds of guests. My involvement began when I met Masakiyo Nakajima (1925-2008), a businessman who wanted to build a facility for people with special needs called Hinode Taiyo-no-Ie (Sun House of Hinode). He had purchased this residence for that purpose, but the project faced fierce opposition from local residents. It took ten years of effort and dialogue, with support from volunteers across Japan, before the facility finally opened in 1987.

——You published The Story of Hinode Taiyo-no-Ie (Keyaki Publishing) in 1997. What inspired you to write it?

TK: Through this book, I wanted to explore what welfare really means—what it means to help, to live, and to care. The facility began when Mr. Nakajima, who had long resided in the upscale Tokyo neighborhood of Seijo, reflected, ‘I wish to accomplish at least one truly good deed in my life. Having spent so many years immersed in the world of wealth and commerce, I now wish to dedicate myself to serving others.’  In 1979, he set out to establish the Hinode Taiyō no Ie, a care facility for people with special needs. The plan, however, sent shockwaves through the local community, and confusion and opposition erupted almost immediately. Soon after a public briefing, organized resistance groups were formed, and signs protesting the facility appeared throughout the neighborhood.

I first met Mr. Nakajima when a friend told me, ‘There’s someone trying to build a facility for people with special needs, but they’re running into opposition—could you meet him?’ Visiting the residence, I was greeted by Mr. Nakajima, a tall man speaking in a warm Osaka dialect, who bowed deeply and patiently explained the situation. His combination of dignity, humility, and inner kindness struck me at once, and I could feel his genuine commitment. Over repeated visits, I naturally became involved in the operation of the facility, and eventually, as Mr. Nakajima stepped back due to age, so I assumed responsibility for managing the residence.

——The story of the Inari shrine behind the residence, Hanasaki Inari Daimyojin, is especially moving.

TK: The shrine was originally built by the Furuya family, the original builders. Mr. Nakajima carefully restored it, moving the leaning structure to a sunlit hill and rebuilding the torii gates. He said, “It is said that doing kind deeds makes flowers bloom, and I have found it to be true—so I named this shrine Hanasaki Inari Daimyojin (Hanasaki means ‘flowers bloom’). I hope people who come here to pray will have their wishes granted and remember their dreams.

That shrine holds his gratitude—for the people he met, and for the life he chose to share with others. He often said, “Happiness is living together with others.” True joy is not personal success—it’s walking alongside someone, sharing the small moments of life.

Tokyo Terra Farm: Lessons from the Land

——Tell us about Tokyo Terra Farm.

TK: The farm, located in Akiruno, covers about 1.2 hectares (3 acres) and produces over 150 varieties of organic vegetables each year. Around 2,000 visitors come annually for harvesting and farm experiences. For three consecutive years, it has been ranked as Tokyo’s No.1 farm experience on a Japanese travel site.

——How did it begin?

TK: We started in 2000 with just 0.1 hectares (0.25acres) of land. I wanted to grow vegetables safely, without pesticides, for as many people as possible. Through my volunteer work, I had learned that agricultural chemicals can have harmful effects on the human body. As nearby farmland was abandoned, I gradually took on more and more fields—eventually expanding to the current size.

——What guides your farming?

TK: We started by avoiding pesticides altogether, since chemical use can harm people’s health. At first, many thought it would be impossible to farm without them, but we’ve now managed to go 25 years pesticide-free. Pesticides fail to truly protect farmers, and often bring harm to those who use them—so I hope to encourage other farmers to embrace pesticide-free methods as well.

——And your social initiatives?

TK: The farm provides a workplace for people with special needs, and donates vegetables to children’s cafeterias and domestic violence shelters. We also welcome students who are unable to attend school. The farm is more than just a place to grow food—it’s a hub for connecting with society. Many companies and universities now join as volunteers. Recently, some major companies have even included farm volunteer experiences as part of their new employee training, to foster teamwork and thoughtful reflection.

During breaks, we talk about topics like where life on Earth originated, what is happening to our planet today, and how we can leave a beautiful world for the next generation. Agriculture and the environment are inseparable, so these discussions are an important part of the experience.

——Some people still doubt organic farming.

TK: There are always critics. But when I observe people with special needs, I am struck by their honesty and determination to live fully. It makes me realize that getting upset over trivial matters is pointless.

Take Shigeo Yamada, a poet who lived with cerebral palsy. His work has even been included in Japanese social studies textbooks. Despite his challenges, he wrote with remarkable sensitivity, seeing things we often cannot. I rarely hear of people with special needs taking their own lives—their refusal to give up, even under limitations, is truly inspiring.

In one of his poems, Yamada reflects on the kanji 「人」 (person), explaining that it represents two people supporting each other—you cannot stand alone. In another, he describes how children’s gazes on the street make us feel ordinary rather than extraordinary. Facing small hardships can strengthen a person; in contrast, those who are too fortunate may not grow as strong.

——Your work managing the samurai residence and running the farm seems very different, yet connected.

TK: Yes, people often see them as separate, but they are deeply linked. Society itself is made up of these kinds of connections. At the samurai residence, we create a space where people gather and share stories. At the farm, interacting with the soil helps ease the heart and mind. Both places support people in being fully human. I believe society is built on countless, often invisible connections like these.

Hinode: A Town Woven by Culture, Nature, and People

——Could you tell us about the natural environment of Hinode?

TK: Although it’s close to central Tokyo, Hinode is blessed with a rich natural landscape where you can see the stars at night and feel the clouds, the air, the greenery, and the sunlight. You can experience things here that you simply can’t find in the big city. I believe the presence of nature deeply influences people—not only spiritually but also in the way we think.

In addition to its natural beauty, there’s also a long history of people here planting and nurturing trees. Many residents grow crops in their own fields or vegetables in their gardens. Even if the water supply were to stop, we could draw water from the river. It’s an environment where humans coexist with wildlife such as tanuki (raccoon dogs) and hakubishin (masked palm civets/Paguma larvata)—a place where nature and people live side by side.

——What does your ideal town look like?

TK: I want Hinode to be a town its people can be proud of. A place where residents can step outside, go anywhere, and say with confidence, “My town has such wonderful things to offer.” For that to happen, we first have to recognize the beauty and the value of our own community and share that understanding with others.

This is true everywhere: for those who live in a place, its nature and history often become so familiar that they go unnoticed. Lush greenery, clean air, quiet surroundings, and warm-hearted people—these are treasures, yet because they’re part of daily life, it’s easy to overlook their value. Many of us fail to realize that such “ordinary” things are actually irreplaceable.

Many people in the world seem to be “living well,” yet some get caught up in fleeting trends or superficial values, wasting their time. If that makes them happy, so be it. Meanwhile, there are children who go without dinner, families fleeing violence through no fault of their own, and children born with special needs. When I see those children in tears, all I want is to do everything I can to bring a smile to their faces. That’s what truly matters to me.

About Hinode

Hinode Town unfolds a tranquil landscape that embodies the charm of Japan’s traditional countryside. Its symbolic Mount Hinode—meaning “sunrise”—inspired the town’s name, which was originally Hinode Village, reflecting the hope for growth and renewal with the rising sun. In recent years, the town has drawn attention as the rumored hometown of Gyomei Himejima from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. This is where quiet historical traditions meet today’s contemporary pop culture. Mount Hinode is a beloved hiking destination, often paired with a relaxing soak at Tsurutsuru Onsen, a natural hot spring at its base—a perfect one-day retreat surrounded by nature.

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