The Genesis of Yogoda ②

The Sacred Land of "Hase", Nagano

First, allow me to share a little about the region we call home and the anchor of our vision: "Hase." Nestled within Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, Hase is a long, majestic valley area that stretches from north to south, beautifully embracing the expansive waters of Lake Miwa.

Known as the gateway to the Southern Alps, it is also highly renowned for harboring the "Zero Magnetic Field of Bungui Pass"—a powerful, world-famous vortex of natural energy and rejuvenation. With a close-knit population of approximately 1,500 souls, the landscape is cradled by the pristine lake, rolling terraced fields, and soaring mountain peaks. National Route 152, which weaves through this valley, is deeply loved by cyclists and touring enthusiasts alike.

Within this sacred terrain flows a warm, harmonious atmosphere—a beautiful tapestry woven by the native residents who have lived vibrantly and generously alongside nature for generations, and the newcomers who were pulled here by the land's irresistible mystique.

My wife and I were guided to this valley in the year 2022. Seeking a departure from urban life and exploring a path toward rural living, we casually visited Ina City, drawn by an old property we stumbled upon online. As fate would have it, that specific house was far from hidden in a liveable condition. Yet, thinking, "Since we have traveled all this way," we dropped by a local real estate agency. It was there that they introduced us to Hase.

It was a completely serendipitous encounter, but the exact moment we stepped onto this land, an intuitive flash resonated within us: This is the place. Without a shred of doubt, we made the choice to relocate.

The Sanctuary and The Yoga Mat

Following our relocation, as we began hand-crafting our home through meticulous DIY restorations and slowly aligning our daily life, we were blessed and sustained by an uncountably rich network of human connections (En).

Upon returning from our grand Asian voyage, we were standing at the precipice of initiating the "Japanese base of operations" that we had discussed at the Niraamaya headquarters. We began circulating and consulting with the mentors and friends who had supported us, asking, "Is there something meaningful we can manifest here in our beloved Hase?"

Right then, a generous soul who had actively aided us since our early DIY days reached out: "If that is your vision, why don’t you utilize a property that I own?"

The space offered to us was a massive structure that originally served as the local agricultural cooperative (JA)—an immensely vast building for just the two of us at the time. Yet, as we held deep, iterative dialogues, two distinct architectures of our vision crystallized into physical form:

1. To utilize a portion of the space as a dedicated boutique to showcase and distribute Niraamaya yoga mats.

2. To fully regenerate and resurrect the entire building as a "Guesthouse/Sanctuary" (Yado).

Why a guesthouse? In truth, despite Hase being a destination where countless souls flock for mountaineering and sightseeing, the valley was facing an acute, severe shortage of overnight accommodations. The community was in pressing, visceral need of a sanctuary where travelers could truly rest and integrate.

As we were navigating a pathway to bring the yoga mats into Japan, we found ourselves, entirely unprompted, taking a monumental stride closer to Swamiji's prophetic words from the previous chapter: "to build an ashram."

Renovating such a massive historical building stands as the most formidable challenge of our lives thus far. Yet, when we envisioned the weary travelers arriving in this rich, abundant nature—being deeply healed, spiritually recharged, and stepping back out into the world filled with raw vitality—the sheer nervous tension of this grand undertaking dissolved into an overwhelming surge of pure, ecstatic excitement.

To bring this comprehensive vision into full manifestation, we resolved to incorporate and establish a company. And right at the exact moment we sat down to determine the name of our vessel, a word welled up from the profound depths of my inner being with the absolute clarity of lightning.

That word was "Yogoda."