— A Note from the New Kindergarten Manager

Nestled at the foot of Mount Dodogamine, with Suwa Shrine as its quiet neighbor, Suwa Kindergarten is a place like no other. There’s an indescribable calmness here, paired with a subtle air of history. Suwa Shrine, with its origins shrouded in mystery, exudes a timeless presence. Its weathered stone steps and serene trees make you wonder, just for a moment, what era you’re truly in.

For me, this place holds special significance. Back in high school, I made it a daily ritual to charge up the shrine’s steps to improve my volleyball jump. Those steps—long and surprisingly steep—never failed to leave me breathless, but there was a strange satisfaction in that. Though it’s still winter now, I can’t help but recall how summer transforms this place. The cicadas’ symphony takes over, dominating the world with their sound. When I was alone, I often played with the cicadas. I would catch them, release them, and catch them again, repeating the cycle endlessly. As I did, time seemed to blur around the edges, and the loneliness that filled my young heart felt, ever so slightly, lighter. Perhaps their buzzing wings quietly bridged the gaps in my soul, loosening the locks on the small, solitary box I had sealed myself into. Those moments were as inexplicable as they were comforting.

Mount Dodogamine, rising over 400 meters, is a modest mountain. While it greets the famous Kinkazan to the south, it doesn’t seek attention or fame as a tourist spot. But to the younger me, Dodogamine was a wonderland. Inspired by the fairy tales I read in kindergarten, I was convinced that a merry-go-round existed halfway up the mountain. Even as a senior in elementary school, I held onto a sliver of hope that I might one day find it. Looking back, I feel a little embarrassed, but that’s the magic of Dodogamine—it turns the ordinary into a canvas for imagination, bringing impossible things to life in your mind.

Suwa Shrine, standing behind this magical mountain, carries a different kind of enchantment. Climbing its steps, bathed in dappled sunlight, feels like stepping into a realm where time gently dissolves. The surroundings evoke a profound sense of mystery, awakening distant, almost forgotten memories. Watching the children grow in this environment, I am reminded again of Suwa Kindergarten’s unparalleled character.

Suwa Kindergarten is a place where Japan’s traditions meet the beauty of nature. The stone steps, the quiet mountain trails, and even the cicadas’ chorus quietly nurture the children’s creativity and sensitivity, helping them grow in ways we may never fully comprehend.

Next time you visit Mount Dodogamine or Suwa Shrine, take a moment to listen closely. Who knows? You might catch a glimpse of a merry-go-round spinning in the trees or, if it is early enough, hear the cicadas whispering their secrets . That’s the magic these places quietly offer—an invitation to dream, no matter your age.

Today, once again, I find myself deeply grateful for the blessings of Mount Dodogamine and Suwa Shrine.

Your nostalgic and slightly whimsical manager,
Signing off with a smile. 😊