From Skyscrapers to Seascapes

This spring, I moved my home base from Tokyo to Ōsakikamijima, an island in Hiroshima Prefecture.

I now run a retreat center here—a place where people can safely pause, step back from daily life, and spend time quietly reconnecting with themselves.

For many years, I lived in cities like Tokyo and New York, working in the financial industry and running a technology startup overseas. From the outside, relocating to a quiet, nature-rich island may seem like a dramatic change. But for me, it felt entirely natural—a choice that resonated deeply.

To me, a retreat is “a dedicated time and space for quietly meeting your inner self.”

It’s about listening to the inner voice we often tune out in daily life, and discovering the deeper meaning behind our thoughts and actions. My retreat center exists to support people in having that kind of experience.

My connection with Ōsakikamijima began around twelve years ago, through a chance visit. Each trip drew me closer to the island’s people and nature, until it gradually became a place where I felt at home. A few years ago, I began dividing my time between Tokyo and the island, and now I have shifted my life’s center here.

The turning point came through my work with retreat guests—conversations that also deepened my dialogue with myself. Over time, it became clear: living and working here is my most natural way of being right now.

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Ōsakikamijima is only accessible by boat, and the quiet that surrounds it creates a gentle space in the hearts of those who visit.

This island welcomes both newcomers and travelers passing through. For some, it’s a stepping stone; for others, a place to begin again. Either way, the island’s nature and the warmth of its people embrace them both.

Life and retreat work here are already beginning to take root. I’m carefully shaping this space so that visitors can breathe deeply and meet themselves with ease.

I hope to share the depth and stillness that only this island can offer—with those who need it most. And I look forward to tending this place for years to come.