Learn from Totsukawa's "Aerial Village": Outdoor experiences that protect forests and develop the community
Updated by Nozomu Kanemoto on September 05, 2025, 9:43 AM JST
Nozomi KANEMOTO
Leaf Rain Co.
He joined the Japan Forest Technology Association in 2021 and has been involved in several ODA projects in the forestry sector, calculating GHG emission reductions and managing project operations. 2024 he became independent and is currently working in the forestry sector based in France.
Japan has abundant forest resources, but challenges still remain in the management and utilization of forests, such as the problem of neglected Satoyama forests (*1) and the decrease in the number of forestry workers (*2). How to utilize forests sustainably while protecting them is an important theme from the perspective of environmental conservation and regional development. The "Aerial Village" in Totsukawa Village, Nara Prefecture, is developing a project from a new perspective to address these issues.
This project was undertaken by Jolan Ferreri, a native of France. He came to Japan to study at a graduate school and moved to Totsukawa Village to pursue activities related to forests and forestry. The "village in the sky," created by Mr. Ferreri, offers an outdoor experience of becoming one with the forest by crossing a suspension bridge, enjoying coffee in a tree house, and sleeping surrounded by trees at night.
*Reference 1:Forestry Agency, "Proposal for Regeneration through Utilization of Satoyama Broad-leaved Forests," p4.(Viewed August 20, 2025)
*Refer 2:Forestry Agency, "Trends in Forestry Labor Force."(Viewed August 20, 2025)
Behind Mr. Ferreri's inspiration lies the French forest culture in which he grew up. Growing up near Grenoble in southeastern France, playing in the woods was a part of his life as a child, and spending time in nature was a part of his life.
In France, forests are not only a resource, but are also widely used for recreation, a culture that has taken root in the country. The National Forestry Office (ONF) estimates that about 700 million people visit forests annually (*3), and forests are an integral part of French people's lives.
Having grown up in such an environment, what surprised Mr. Ferreri most when he came to Japan was that "adults do not have the sense to play in the mountains (*4). In addition, he saw the reality that forests were not being fully utilized due to depopulation and the decline of the forestry industry. Faced with these challenges, Mr. Ferreri decided to take on the challenge of a new business that would combine forest utilization and regional revitalization by adopting the French way of enjoying forests.
*Reference 3:République français "Accueillir le public en forêt"(Viewed August 20, 2025)
*Refer to 4:Studio Persol, "Why an MBA-educated Frenchman created a 'forest playground' in a secluded village with a population of 3,100."(Viewed August 20, 2025)
Mr. Ferreri places particular emphasis on three key elements in his business operations: consideration for trees, use of local resources, and environmentally and physically friendly experiences. For construction, local timber and thinned wood are used. The construction is done using a "wooden stake" to avoid stressing the trees, and in the winter, wires are loosened to reduce the burden on the trees.
The project is operated with the involvement of local residents, including the sale of cookies baked by local residents at the site. By combining lodging, dining, and experience-based tourism, the project is expected to increase the length of stay and have a ripple effect on the local economy. As a "playground for adults from France in Japan's unexplored region (*5)," the project is being promoted as an environmentally friendly and sustainable initiative that will bring new vitality to the region.
*Refer 5:Village in the Air Official website "What is Village in the Air?"(Viewed August 20, 2025)
Since its opening in 2020, the "Village in the Sky" has been recognized as a new tourism resource linking the region and the forest, and in 2021 received the "Discover Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Village Treasure Award, 8th Annual Business Category, Shining New Forest in the Sky Award (*6)" as a model contributing to regional revitalization and income enhancement. In 2022, the company also received the "Hanayaka KANSAI Attractiveness Up Award, 5th Special Prize in the Modeling Category" as a business that communicates the attractiveness of forests to people of all ages.
Mr. Ferreri said.
My vision for the future is to bring people back to the forest through new outdoor experiences that take advantage of the trees and forests. Rather than expanding like a large-scale theme park, I value a comfortable working environment on a small scale and continue to connect with visitors in close proximity. Communicating the appeal of nature in a healthy and environmentally friendly way and bringing forests and people closer together is at the core of my forest business."
*Refer 6:Aerial Village Official Website "AWARD(Viewed August 20, 2025)
The "village in the air" in Totsukawa has developed as a recreational space that offers the forest as a place for healing, a starting point for regional reconstruction, and a place to communicate the charm of the forest. This initiative demonstrates the potential of forests to solve regional issues and create new business opportunities by harnessing their potential.
How do we protect and utilize forests? The answer to this question differs from region to region. However, the French concept of "protecting forests while enjoying them" and Mr. Ferreri's efforts will provide great hints for future regional development and forest business. (Nozomu Kanemoto, Forest Consultant, Leaf Rain Co.)
