“Shaping What You Want to Do with Your Own Hands”: Connecting the Landscapes of Shirakaba Lake

The “Ordinary Everyday” Scenery of the Rich Lakeside

“Westerns were a favorite of the previous generation. He must have admired the horse-riding scenes. He started keeping horses as a hobby and then began the horseback riding experience business,” says Mr. Hideyuki Kawamura, who manages Hope Lodge, a facility offering activities such as horseback riding by Shirakaba Lake.

“Ever since I can remember, the natural scenery of Shirakaba Lake has always been there. For example, fishing in summer and skating in winter. Especially in winter, the lake freezes over thick enough to support a snowplow. I have memories of skating on the ice.”

Hideyuki looks back on such a life not as fun or boring but as the “ordinary every day.” It was a natural progression for him to work at Hope Lodge.

“I joined the family business at 18. I took care of horses, handled customer service, and even did some carpentry work such as building horse stables. Before I knew it, nearly 40 years had passed.”

Continuing the family business, Hope Lodge has become a long-standing horseback riding ranch in the area.

“People Are Drawn to That Energy of ‘Creating What You Want Yourself'”

“Our visitors are mostly families. Some who visited as children come back with their own children. Having operated for decades, we’ve formed various connections with customers, which is delightful,” says Mrs. Yasuko Kawamura. “Ordinarily, you don’t get to experience ‘riding a horse,’ so if it can become a fun memory added to a family trip, that would be great,” she adds.

Mrs. Yasuko, originally from Tokyo, was initially surprised by the highland life.

“I moved here in winter and was shocked by the amount of snow. In the mornings, the water pipes would freeze, so I had to fill kettles with hot water and run around, or split wood for the stove with an ax. Every experience was fresh. But, that was what made it fun.”

What surprised her the most was the spirit of “creating what you want yourself.”

“Actually, my husband DIYed our home. He makes everything himself. In Tokyo, if something goes wrong, you immediately think, ‘I need to call a professional,’ but here, we try to fix it ourselves. Once you draw a simple design, you can make exactly what you want. I was amazed at creating our life with our own hands.”

According to Mr. Hideyuki, this lifestyle of “creating what you need yourself” is “ordinary.” Except for infrastructure like electricity, water, and gas, he can shape almost everything themselves.

“Creating what you want yourself.” This desire to spin the life they want attracts many people.

“Probably, the previous generation also thought, ‘What I enjoy, others will enjoy too.’ Thus, this place has gathered not just those who enjoy horseback riding but also those who want to work. Many staff who lived and worked here found their own paths, becoming ranch managers, carpenters, chefs, etc.”

Hope Lodge offers activities like horseback riding, but its essence might be in building a community connected by the desire to “shape what you want to do with your own hands.”

Supporting the Next Generation’s Challenges with Our Own Hands

After starting their business in Shirakaba Lake over 50 years ago, how do they perceive the changes?

“The younger generation is now making efforts in Shirakaba Lake. Taking over their parents’ businesses or starting new ones. The older generation isn’t as good at launching new things. That’s why we want to support the challenges of the younger generation,” says Mr. Hideyuki.

In fact, at new events in the Shirakaba Lake area, mainly organized by the younger generation, Mr. Hideyuki actively contributes his carpentry skills to build stages.

With the younger generation’s activities gaining attention, we asked the Kawamura couple what they hope to leave for the future.

“Shirakaba Lake has a slow flow of time. You can take a leisurely walk by the lake, enjoy canoeing or kayaking on the lake, climb mountains to see unusual views, or feel the wind on a bicycle… It’s a place where nature is close. We hope that such tranquil moments continue into the future. If horseback riding can be one piece that weaves such peaceful times, that would make us happy.”

(What Connects in This Region)
It’s an extraordinary experience that’s hard to find in urban areas. Despite good access from major cities like Tokyo, it’s rare to have an environment where you can play with nature and interact with horses so easily. We’re happy if we can leave fun memories for a wide range of people.