This time, our group of eight visited Shimoda and Minamiizu, located on the Izu Peninsula. Through this week's activities, I primarily learned about the connection between people and nature. 　Specifically, our first day began with activities at “Kazemachi Shimoda,” where we spent the day learning about Shimoda's approach to human-nature interaction through conversations with local residents. Among these, Mr. Tsuruzaqui's story was particularly memorable. He shared insights about two distinct lifestyles: the urban life centered on economic activity and the rural life focused on self-sufficiency. He explained that through exploring these two ways of living, he realized that creating spaces for human interaction in Shimoda was the path that suited him best. Later, we explored Shimoda's streets with local children and bonded over activities like BBQ. We realized “Kaze Machi Shimoda” was the force building these connections, teaching us the importance of close human interaction—something hard to find in the city. The local children, regardless of age, got along wonderfully, and we were struck by each child's remarkably high awareness of environmental issues. The next day, we experienced sushi-making at a place called Sushi Lab. The business model there was also fascinating. Typically, sushi apprenticeship takes about ten years before one can serve customers. However, at Sushi Lab, apprentices become active chefs in about two years. Moreover, by establishing a full employment relationship with the master chefs who teach them, they can become skilled artisans much faster. Furthermore, customers themselves can enjoy working as sushi chefs, say, just one day a week. I believe this system only works in Shimoda because of its deep human connections. Attempting this in Tokyo likely wouldn't work the same way. It's precisely because people in Shimoda are connected not just professionally but personally that a kind of mutual support relationship emerges. The next day, I learned about interacting with nature through making bamboo lanterns. Despite bamboo being an excellent building material, Japan has far fewer bamboo structures compared to Indonesia or South Asia. Discovering bamboo's charm and potential through these lanterns made me feel frustrated that we aren't utilizing it more effectively. Regarding the bamboo industry, it's fair to say mutual understanding between people and nature remains limited. I felt that finding economically viable ways to utilize bamboo and working to establish it as a national asset could also revitalize bamboo and nature itself. We also learned about the local ecosystems. On the fourth day, we visited a hunting site in Minami-Izu. Through interactions with the hunters, we learned about their struggles with a lack of successors and the difficulties in handling venison. Furthermore, I learned perspectives on the bear damage problem, which has become an issue nationwide in recent years. They shared the agonizing reality of having to cull bears that come down to human settlements because people half-playfully feed them. While some criticize bear culling in the name of animal welfare, I believe true animal welfare lies in learning how to interact with nature without recklessly approaching plants and animals out of ignorance, and in understanding the boundaries between humans and nature. 　In this way, I believe this workshop allowed us to learn about the connection between people and nature, and the boundaries between them, through various activities. Regarding human connections, I felt that here in Shimoda, there exists an open way of interacting that is hard to find in the city. It is a relationship where people are never judged by their job or title, where they are economically independent yet support each other, and where there is no dependency. It is precisely because we view each other on a level playing field that equal exchange is possible. Moreover, thanks to Kazemachi Shimoda, we outsiders could enjoy a wonderful experience without feeling alienated. The people of Shimoda also approached nature in a practical way. While environmental protection and SDGs are often emphasized these days, I believe the most direct path to truly coexisting with nature is through direct, hands-on experience. Not treating nature as something special, yet never taking it for granted—living...