Meet the Person Behind the Mountains
In the moss forest Japan area of Kita-Yatsugatake, there is a small mountain hut called Seitaiso.
Here, one man lives and works close to nature every day.
His name is Yudai Yamaura.
He is the third-generation owner of this mountain hut.
Meet Yudai in Japan’s Moss Forest
Yudai Yamaura is the third-generation owner of Seitaiso.
The hut sits deep in the mountains of Kita-Yatsugatake.
As the youngest of four siblings, he has a warm and friendly personality.
He often greets guests with a relaxed smile.
Even in a harsh mountain environment, his calm presence makes people feel at ease.
Together with his family, he takes care of the hut and the moss forest around it.
A Life Between Mountains and the Outside World
Yudai was born in 1991 in Sakuho Town, Nagano.
He grew up surrounded by mountains and forests.
After high school, he chose to leave home for a while.
This was because he wanted to experience life outside the mountains.
He worked for eight years at a construction company.
There, he helped build and strengthen bridges and tunnels.
This experience gave him a new perspective.
It became an important step before returning to the family business.
The Turning Point
When he was younger, Yudai always thought he might take over the hut someday.
His father had done the same at the age of 29.
However, things changed when Yudai was 25.
His father was diagnosed with cancer.
His father told him, “I may not live until you turn 29.”
Those words changed everything.
Yudai decided to take over the hut sooner than he had planned.
Life as a Mountain Hut Keeper
Yudai became the third-generation owner at 25.
It has now been nearly ten years.
He lives at the mountain hut full-time.
Every day, he welcomes hikers and travelers.
He loves moss so much that he once dyed his hair green.
People now call him “the moss guy.”
He also shares the beauty of the area online.
At the same time, he brings new ideas to the hut, such as cashless payments.
Challenges in the Mountains Today
In recent years, the mountains have been changing.
More visitors come, but not all have enough experience.
As a result, safety has become a bigger concern.
Both hikers and tourists now share the same trails.
Yudai must think about safety every day.
At the same time, he wants people to feel free and enjoy nature.
He is also thinking about the future.
He wants to make this way of life possible for the next generation.
Supported by Family, Connected to the Future
In the mountains, Yudai is a strong and reliable leader.
But when you talk to him, you see his softer side.
He is friendly, open, and a little playful.
This may come from being the youngest in his family.
He says he could not continue this life without his wife and family.
Because of their support, he is able to keep going.
Their support means everything to him.
With the values passed down from his father, his own experience, and his family by his side,
Yudai continues his work today.
He connects people with the mountains.
And he protects the quiet beauty of the moss forest.
Meet Yudai in the Mountains
Step into the moss forests of Kita-Yatsugatake and experience life at Seitaiso Mountain Hut.
Spend time with Yudai, hear his story, and discover the quiet beauty of the mountains he protects.
The Kita-Yatsugatake area is known for its rich moss forests, often considered some of the most beautiful in Japan.
Learn more about the region → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yatsugatake_Mountains
This area is known as one of the most beautiful moss forest Japan destinations, attracting nature lovers from around the world.
