Tonbi Farm in Izu Matsuzaki: Shigetaka Suzuki
We visited Shigetaka Suzuki, known locally as “Tonbi-san,” who lives and farms in Matsuzaki Town on the Izu Peninsula.
He grows rice, vegetables, and herbs without using pesticides. His way of life reflects a deep connection to nature, something rarely experienced in urban environments.
Over drinks, we talked about life in Matsuzaki, farming, and what it means to start a new life in the countryside.
“I Want to Grow What I Eat Myself”
“I want to grow the food I eat myself,” Suzuki says.
Born in Tokyo in September 1970, he moved to Matsuzaki 25 years ago.
After graduating from university, he joined Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. However, after working for about three years, he felt a strong desire to pursue farming and left his job at the age of 25.
He then trained in organic farming in Saitama and Nagano, preparing to create the lifestyle he had envisioned.
Discovering Matsuzaki
While searching for a place to begin farming, he happened to visit Matsuzaki.
There, he saw children playing happily in the river.
“It’s rare to see kids playing in a river like that these days,” he thought, feeling a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
Fishing boats lined up at a harbor
As he continued driving, the road gradually became narrower until it ended.
At that moment, he was greeted by Akiyama, the owner of a nearby natural food inn.
After talking for a while, he was invited to stay and work there.
He accepted the offer and began living and working in Matsuzaki.
Over the next six months, he grew to love the area, surrounded by rivers, mountains, the sea, and hot springs.
After deciding to settle there, he contacted someone he had met through a rural living magazine.
Through that connection, he was able to rent a traditional house over 150 years old at a low cost.
He also gained access to farmland, officially beginning his life as a farmer.
Looking back, he says he wanted to change himself, as he felt he couldn’t do much on his own when he lived in the city.
Developing “Hyakusho Power”
He aimed to become a self-reliant farmer who could handle many different tasks.
“In Japanese, ‘hyakusho’ means someone who can do a hundred kinds of work,” he says with a smile.
To achieve his ideal lifestyle, he continues to develop what he calls his “hyakusho power.”
In his early years, he not only grew rice but also sold pesticide-free vegetable sets and raised chickens for eggs.
Although his business grew steadily, the workload became overwhelming.
He decided to stop selling vegetable sets and focused on rice farming and poultry.
Around that time, he discovered lemongrass.
Creating Value from Local Resources
Wanting to create a local specialty, he founded the Izu Matsuzaki Lemongrass Workshop in 2011.
Lemongrass is well-suited for adding value and helps make use of abandoned farmland.
He produces a variety of products using lemongrass, which have become popular in cafes and shops in Tokyo.
Supporting the Community Through Farming
Driven by his curiosity and love for Matsuzaki, Suzuki expanded his activities beyond farming.
From 2019 to 2023, he served as a member of the Matsuzaki Town Assembly.
Today, he focuses on rice and lemongrass production while also welcoming people interested in moving to the area, offering farming training, and organizing events.
