Visiting the 'Dream Farm' that will one day return to the forest in Matsuyama City

During the long weekend in early May, I took my scooter for a casual ride toward the Dogo area of Matsuyama City. I kept going toward Mizunobe and ventured a little into the mountains.
(I, the writer, sometimes have sudden urges for mini-adventures.)
After riding for a bit, I came across a landscape I had seen before.
👇️ I'm riding the same road as in autumn. Even though the entrance route is different.

I arrived at the farm, where the imperial dahlias were blooming beautifully in November.
This time, there are people here. Or rather, it's lively.
Families are digging for bamboo shoots in the bamboo grove, and there are people chatting by the side of the road.

I met the farm owner and asked him about it.
Family Farm Ishiyama (Shimoidai-cho, Matsuyama City) is a rental farm opened in 1996 by Nobuyuki Ishiyama (78), who lives in Matsuyama City.

It is about a 20-minute drive from the city center and covers an area of about 5,000 square meters.
It was originally an unused mandarin orange orchard that Mr. Ishiyama turned into a field and developed paths for.
He also dug a well and installed a toilet.
Currently, six groups are renting plots and enjoying working the soil.
(He says he is not currently looking for new renters.)

"I created it as a hobby for after my retirement."
After retiring from NTT, he developed the farm while running his own real estate business.
He guided me around, saying, "This is a cherry tree, this is a pine, this is a cypress..."
He said he has been planting conifers and broad-leaved trees near the fields while keeping the citrus trees that were already there.

Loquats, persimmons, and mube (a type of akebia) were things that "birds carried (in their droppings) and just started growing on their own."

Bamboo also came from the neighboring property.
"I thought it might prevent cars from falling off the road, you see."
He tried maintaining a bamboo grove along the road, but if you let your guard down, it just keeps spreading.
"Nature is amazing, isn't it?"

By the way, members are free to take any fruit or bamboo shoots that grow on the trees in the farm.
"It's a perk for the renters."

Mr. Ishiyama was born and raised in the Kume district.
He recalls that when he was in elementary school, many of his classmates were from farming families, and unlike his own father who worked for the Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (now NTT), "their school lunch boxes were different." He says he still remembers the sight of farmers distributing mandarin oranges to those around them.
His longing for agriculture led to him purchasing the farmland before he retired.

I, the writer, can understand that feeling a little. I was envious of my friends' stories about getting rice from relatives or never having to buy mandarin oranges.

He has been interested in wild grasses since his 20s and belongs to an enthusiast group.
He has planted about 50 species on the farm.

There is also a barbecue area.
It's a space where his children come home to visit, and former colleagues or work associates come to enjoy themselves.
He has been steadily developing the farm using materials he received for free or at a low cost from acquaintances.

Beekeeping boxes were also installed.
Mr. Ishiyama tried to show me, saying "Look," but the bees didn't come out, which was a relief.

While he was showing me around the large farm, his dog Sky (male) led the way the whole time.

He lost his wife six years ago, his four children are all independent, and now Sky is his partner.

Every time a grandchild was born, I celebrated by attaching a name tag to a cherry tree.
I have 10 grandchildren.
Now, when spring comes, it has become a hidden gem that people from outside the city visit to see the cherry blossoms covering the area.

In June, there are hydrangeas. There are 150 varieties, and he grins, saying, 'I think there are more varieties here than at the famous spots in the prefecture.' Like the cherry blossoms, visitors occasionally come to see them. He says the maple trees are also beautiful in the autumn.

If I can no longer take care of the farm, 'I intend for it to return to the forest.'
The field I longed for, the wild grasses I love. The days of walking through the farm I cultivated with my dog will also come to an end someday.
That is why I have planted various trees and cherished the trees that birds have brought here.

I, who am chubby and not good at mountain walking, take a break in the rest area. Our conversation blossoms.
The building, which was converted from a warehouse, is also comfortable.
'You could stay overnight, but I go home.'

I head home, being seen off with an invitation to come and play anytime.
As I rode my scooter along the slightly bumpy road, I thought.
I couldn't imitate this. But it's cool, I thought.

That is all.

There were some errors regarding the farm's area, so I have corrected them. 11:50

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