The Mission to Akiu-Canada...
English classes in Minami Yoshinari at グリーンハッカ英語教室 have always included hands on learning. We have always made things in my classroom. Last year, I decided to change the education system in my classroom. I wanted to do something revolutionary and I needed more space. So, started looking. I went to the mountains in search of a place with lots of sunshine, fertile soil, a river and a hot spring. After 8 months of driving through the countryside I found this place in Akiu town. When I first saw it, I knew my search was over. The Inn used to be a health resort for people who stayed a long time. Last century, it was managed by a family. The father fished in Natori river and hunted birds, boar and other animals in the area. The mother ran the hotel. After the father passed away, the mother grew old and continued her service. She worked tirelessly for her customers, but without her husband the land and buildings were neglected. Years passed and the so did the old lady. A daughter inherited the place and she came a few times a year with her husband, but it was too much work for them. They wanted to get rid of the place. The owners and I met several times to clean up the place. No deal had been made and there were no promises. I offered to help do a major renovation for free in order to start the sales transaction. Although we had no contract or even a discussion about the price, it just felt like I was going to become the new caretaker. I never worried about risk. Now that Greenhakka is the new owner, I am working everyday. My blood, sweat and tears will go into that land for the next 20 years. I am removing years of neglect and such beauty lies beneath! The original owners must have had a vision for this property. I can see that. All I have to do is clean it up and restore the land as it was meant to be. The building is a separate issue. It's very old and badly damaged. I will give it my utmost attention, but I will not spend big money to repair it. It's not a good idea to repair it perfectly because of the risk of natural disasters.
About Greenhakka
Greenhakka began in Sendai in 2007. Greenhakka is a combination of green, which stands for ecology, protecting the environment and caring for nature. In Akiu there is a magical place where we can serve nature.
Hakka comes from my name Hakkarainen. Hakkarainen, as the story goes, was an original name given to only one family from Kuopio, Finland. The name means "woodsman." There are Hakkarainens all over the world. Hardworking people that respect humanity as well as nature. All living things are equal.
Hakka comes from my name Hakkarainen. Hakkarainen, as the story goes, was an original name given to only one family from Kuopio, Finland. The name means "woodsman." There are Hakkarainens all over the world. Hardworking people that respect humanity as well as nature. All living things are equal.
Greenhakka education is based on 3 concepts:
グリーンハッカ教育は3つのコンセプトに基づいています.
1. DIY for Life - Let's encourage each other to do more ourselves. Learning how to use different tools is the first step.
自分自身でもっとやれるようにお互いに励ましましょう。様々なツールを使う方法を学ぶ事が第一歩です。
2. Learn to work, Work to learn - Let's teach our children how to work. While they work, their minds develop new skills.
私達の子供たちに働きかたを教えましょう。働くことを通して彼らは多くのことを学ぶでしょう。
3. Pioneer Spirit - Every person is unique. We can all become a pioneer if we follow our destiny. Let's encourage our children to think outside the box and to do things they have never done before. Don't say, "I can't." Please say, "I can try."
すべての人が個性的です。個々の特性 に従って行けば、私達はすべてパイオニアになることができます。子供たちが窮屈な枠の外で思考し、これまでにやったことがないことに挑戦するよう励ましましょう。「私はできない」と言わないで。「やってみよう」と、どうか言ってください。
グリーンハッカ教育は3つのコンセプトに基づいています.
1. DIY for Life - Let's encourage each other to do more ourselves. Learning how to use different tools is the first step.
自分自身でもっとやれるようにお互いに励ましましょう。様々なツールを使う方法を学ぶ事が第一歩です。
2. Learn to work, Work to learn - Let's teach our children how to work. While they work, their minds develop new skills.
私達の子供たちに働きかたを教えましょう。働くことを通して彼らは多くのことを学ぶでしょう。
3. Pioneer Spirit - Every person is unique. We can all become a pioneer if we follow our destiny. Let's encourage our children to think outside the box and to do things they have never done before. Don't say, "I can't." Please say, "I can try."
すべての人が個性的です。個々の特性 に従って行けば、私達はすべてパイオニアになることができます。子供たちが窮屈な枠の外で思考し、これまでにやったことがないことに挑戦するよう励ましましょう。「私はできない」と言わないで。「やってみよう」と、どうか言ってください。
Little Canada in Akiu is a truly magical place. Come to play, eat, drink, bathe and rest. Let your thoughts wonder and the power of nature will rest your spirit. It's a great place to sit and think. From thinking comes feelings. With feelings we create action. This is how we can reach our dreams. Simple, daily thinking will set us on the path to our goals.
リトルカナダは本当に魔法の場所です。
遊ぶ、食べる、飲む、入浴する、休む。あなたは不思議な感覚をおぼえ、自然の力があなたを癒してくれるのを感じるでしょう。そこは、腰を下ろし考えるのに最適な場所です。思考から感じることへ。その感情が行動を起こします。これが私たちの夢に到達する方法です。シンプルで日常的な思考が目標への道に私たちを導きます。
リトルカナダは本当に魔法の場所です。
遊ぶ、食べる、飲む、入浴する、休む。あなたは不思議な感覚をおぼえ、自然の力があなたを癒してくれるのを感じるでしょう。そこは、腰を下ろし考えるのに最適な場所です。思考から感じることへ。その感情が行動を起こします。これが私たちの夢に到達する方法です。シンプルで日常的な思考が目標への道に私たちを導きます。

- Privacy and comfort in a beautiful setting. Little Canada is the perfect place to bring your friends and have a party. You can make a lot of noise and you won't have to worry about disturbing anyone. It's a quiet place. I hope people will appreciate nature.
- 美しい環境でプライバシーと快適さ。リトル・カナダは、お友達を連れてパーティーをするのに最適な場所です。誰も邪魔することを心配する必要はありません。静かな場所です。瞑想するのに最適な場所。私は人々が自然を感謝することを願っています。
- What is your image of British Columbia, Canada? There are mountains, glaciers, rivers, ocean, lakes, waterfalls, rain forests and a desert! People who live on the west coast of North America are active people who love the outdoors. Fishing, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking and zip line are all possible activities in Little Canada.
- カナダのブリティッシュコロンビア州のイメージは何ですか?山、氷河、川、海、湖、滝、熱帯雨林、砂漠があります!北アメリカの西海岸に住む人々は、野外を愛する積極的な人々です。将来私はリトル・カナダでいくつかの野外活動をしたいと思っています。リトルカナダでは、釣り、カヤック、ラフティング、マウンテンバイク、ジップラインがす べて可能なアクティビティです。