Why do I dream of "Yokai Island"? The magic of tree houses and remote islands

The phrase "Yokai Island" that I suddenly blurted out in a post about X. To tell the truth, it has been living in my head for many years now.

The "island magic" felt on Izu Oshima

It all started about six years ago when I was working on a yokai project on Izu Oshima. I was touched by the abundant nature, the relaxed pace of life, and the warmth of the local people, and it made me think, "Ah, islands are great." Ever since then, somewhere in my heart, I've had a yearning for a place called an "island."

Photos: Yokai-ya, Yukino◯-san, Suoh Sakura-san

Yokai, tree houses, and a free life

Even after that, the seeds of "Yokai Island" continue to absorb water. A childhood dream of living in a treehouse from Gegege no Kitaro. Remote work has progressed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we live in an age where work does not have to be based in the city, the "yokai lifestyle" has strangely become a reality.

In the morning, I'd like to live like Kitaro, just once. It's a dream, isn't it? Everyone works too much. I think life should be freer.

Yokai generally don't work that much. In exchange, they don't need money. They are the ultimate minimalists. They live with only what they need, don't push themselves, don't waste anything, and spend their days at their own pace. Perhaps we could learn a little more from the way yokai live.

Shodoshima Yokai Expo and the Island's Atmosphere

Recently, I visited the Yokai Expo held on Shodoshima Island. I was once again captivated by the serene atmosphere of the Seto Inland Sea, and my thoughts about the "Yokai Island Concept" have only grown stronger. Remote islands have a unique flow of time and culture, which is a perfect match for the existence of yokai.

The "Yokai Island" Concept Becomes a Reality

Now, concrete information has emerged that suggests that you might be able to buy a small island for 20 million yen, and what was just a dream is starting to look like a real possibility. Of course, there are practical issues, such as bugs, weeds, and no convenience stores, and my family is strongly opposed to the idea. But I still can't let go of the romance.

By the way, my family has told me to do it alone if I want to, so I might have to live alone when I get serious about it. Of course, I'll have to support my family.

Thinking about the mechanism that attracts monsters

So how do you get the yokai to gather on "Yokai Island"? One way is to create a real place where yokai enthusiasts can gather. A residence-style facility will be set up where artists, writers, and creators can stay for a certain period of time and create works based on yokai culture and folklore from around the country.

The other is the energy of the land itself. Nature that has not been overly touched by human hands is a comfortable environment for yokai. The sound of the wind, the rustling of the trees, the darkness of the night. If you create a space that values these things, yokai-like beings will naturally come. Yokai are born in the gaps between human activities. That is why an island, with its many spaces, is the perfect environment.

What to do on the island, and for the children

If Yokai Island really did exist, what kinds of things could we do there? A yokai-themed campsite, a creative workshop, art exhibitions, an interactive adventure area for children, a museum that unravels the local yokai folklore... our imaginations are running wild. If you have any ideas, please send them in the comments.

And more than anything, I want to show my children how to put such free-thinking ideas into practice. I want to convey through my way of life that "it's okay to do what you want to do, even when you become an adult."

Yokai Island may just be a dream, but aren't we living in an age where talking about dreams is directly connected to living?