Hello! This is the editorial team from Domingo, Hokkaido's news and event app.

Welcome to our series, "Hokkaido Wind," where we bring the essence of Hokkaido to you, sharing the charm of life from various parts of the prefecture.

For our memorable first installment, we feature Yohei Ueno, an Outdoor Producer for the Kamikawa Town Community Development Cooperation Team. He is currently leading the "Experiential Treehouse Project" at the Sounkyo Auto Camping Ground.

In this three-part series, "The Treehouse Project: Making Future 'Play' in Kamikawa, Hokkaido More Fun," this first volume will take you on a virtual tour of the site. We'll dive into the details of the Treehouse Project, covering its origins, current status, and the full picture.

-Interview Overview-
Date: July 5, 2020
Method: Online event held via Zoom

 

Ryota Hattori, Domingo Editorial Team (hereafter, Hattori)
I'm Hattori from the Domingo editorial team, and I'll be your virtual tour guide today. Our guest is Yohei Ueno, who is leading the Treehouse Project in Kamikawa Town. Hello, Mr. Ueno!

Yohei Ueno, Kamikawa Town Community Development Cooperation Team (hereafter, Ueno)
Hello! It's a pleasure to be with you all today!

Hattori
That looks like a wonderfully lush and refreshing place. Where are you?

Ueno
This is the Sounkyo Auto Camping Ground. It operates as a campground from June to September.

Ueno
I'm building a 'Tree Terrace' and 'Treehouse' along a walking path within this campground. A 'Tree Terrace' is a deck built using living, native trees as pillars, combined with other timber. On top of this terrace, I'm constructing several 'Treehouses' that anyone can assemble and disassemble.

Building a Treehouse to Fulfill the "Childhood Dream of a Secret Hideout"

Hattori
Could you tell us more about the 'Treehouse Project'?

Ueno
I'm working on the 'Treehouse Project' in Kamikawa Town to bring to life the "secret hideout you dreamed of as a child." We're building a tree terrace in the forest and constructing modular houses on top of it.

Hattori
I see! Could we take a look at the terrace and the house right away?

Ueno
Let's go! The terrace is about 2 meters high, so we've added stairs. Once you climb them, you'll find a fairly spacious triangular terrace with sides of 10m, 10m, and 7m.

Ueno
This is where I'm building the modular houses! Currently, we have two types, a large one and a small one, but the one standing now is the small one for kids. I plan to change which house is assembled depending on the time and occasion.

Hattori
How many people can fit inside the house?

Ueno
This is what it looks like when an adult gets inside the small children's house.

Ueno
The larger one isn't assembled right now because it's been taken down, but it can comfortably fit about four adults.

Ueno
These houses are not intended for overnight stays; they are designed to be used as a 'playground.' The small house takes about an hour to assemble and disassemble, while the large one takes about three hours to assemble and one hour to disassemble.

Hattori
How do you assemble it?!

Ueno
Look at this roof section! It's all made of interlocking panels, so they can be removed!

Ueno
We use nails for key structural parts, like where the terrace connects to the support pillars, but the assembly of the house itself is designed to be nail-free!

Hattori
Wow. That looks like so much fun! I want to visit and try it myself!

Creating a Reason to Visit Kamikawa Town Through Crowdfunding

Hattori
The Treehouse Project sounds incredibly exciting. How did it all begin?

Ueno
The project started with the idea of creating outdoor content that both adults and children can enjoy in nature, leveraging the unique beauty of Kamikawa Town at the foot of the Daisetsuzan mountains.

Hattori
So this is a project that you've been leading yourself!

Ueno
That's right. First, I consulted with 'outwoods', a group that handles all things mountain-related and also builds tree terraces, and that's how the plan got started. We ran a crowdfunding campaign from the end of January to the end of March, and thanks to everyone's support, we raised about 1.78 million yen, exceeding our target amount.

Hattori
That's amazing! Incredible!

Ueno
If it had been any later, we might not have succeeded due to the impact of the coronavirus, so I think the timing was just right...

Hattori
That was right around the time things started, wasn't it... With crowdfunding, you also get feedback from supporters. What kind of reactions did you receive?

Ueno
One of the rewards for supporters was an 'Assembly Experience,' and my friends really connected with that and supported the project. So I'm looking forward to having all my friends come to Kamikawa Town this summer.

Hattori
So this project is creating a 'reason to visit Kamikawa Town.' It's much more fun to say, "Let's do this together!" rather than just, "Please come visit!"

Ueno
Exactly! Creating a reason for people to come was one of my initial motivations. In fact, my friend Okamoto is here today helping me with the work!

Okamoto, Mr. Ueno's classmate (hereafter, Okamoto)
Nice to meet you, I'm Okamoto, a university classmate of his. I'm also aiming for this kind of lifestyle, so I hope to get more involved.

Hattori
It would be great if this circle of people could expand through events like this broadcast.

Okamoto
I agree! I think people would enjoy it more if they learned about the project through some opportunity, actually came to visit, and got involved from the building stage. Also, I usually spend all my time in front of a computer, so doing this kind of physical work makes me feel alive. In that sense, it's been a really great experience.

Hattori
I feel the same way...! Next time, please let me come over and help with the work! By the way, when will the tree terrace and house be open to the public?

Ueno
We're planning for July 23rd. The person who purchased the naming rights for this spot, including the tree terrace and house, through the crowdfunding campaign will come in late July to give it a name. After that, we'll open it to the public. Once it's open, climbing the terrace and playing on it will be one of the campground's attractions, so it should be available to use without any extra charge. Even just sitting and relaxing here is a pleasant way to spend time.

Summary

In Vol. 1, under the theme "What is the Treehouse Project?" Mr. Ueno shared the story behind the project, from its beginnings and crowdfunding to a behind-the-scenes look at its construction.

In Vol. 2, we will explore the "Passion and Details" poured into the treehouse. Look forward to Vol. 2, scheduled for release next week!

 

Profile

Yohei Ueno

Born in 1993. Outdoor Producer for the Kamikawa Town Community Development Cooperation Team. He moved to Kamikawa Town, known for its progressive and proactive town development. He is currently leading the "Experiential Treehouse Project," which aims to create a new tourism resource in Kamikawa. His mission is to develop outdoor content to create job opportunities in the town.

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Other Articles in This Series

• The Treehouse Project: A New Way to Play in Kamikawa, Hokkaido (Vol. 2)


• The Treehouse Project: A New Way to Play in Kamikawa, Hokkaido (Vol. 3)

Related Links

• The secret hideout of your childhood dreams. Let's build a treehouse together in Kamikawa Town! - Crowdfunding on READYFOR


• Sounkyo Auto Camping Ground