Koyaban: Keepers of the Mountain

Journey through Japan's Yatsugatake mountain range, spanning Nagano and Yamanashi, alongside renowned mountain photographer Tetsuo Kikuchi. Captured by filmmakers devoted to the mountains, the film presents breathtaking imagery and an intimate portrait of the koyaban—mountain lodge keepers whose quiet yet powerful lives leave a lasting impression. Shaped by nature and guided by a rhythm beyond human control, the koyaban's voices quietly resonate with us, reflecting on how we live today. 

The koyaban's care for the climbers reflects a hospitality rooted in Japanese culture. Their way of life, shaped by a force of nature beyond human control, offers a profound reflection for those of us caught in the rush of modern society, inviting us to consider how we truly want to live.

[Associate Producer]