Strapping on their small backpacks, the adorable sisters fidget excitedly. Watching them while packing a canteen with coffee and rice balls into a bag are their parents, photographer Hideki Irie and illustrated diary author Kayo Fukuda. On beautifully clear weekends, a wonderful area blessed with thick greenery located two minutes away from their residence on foot serves as the backdrop for family adventures. Soon everything is ready and it's time to set out.
"Even for places so close you can see them from your house, it's still up to each person to choose whether or not to actually visit these natural spots. But if you do set foot in one, you can enjoy a world completely different from what you experience everyday in your home. For example, see how it becomes so much cooler just stepping out of asphalt-paved street into unpaved ground? You can see a positive change even in the children's mood right away."

Even two-year old Natsuno, who was begging her mom to carry her on the way from the house, takes off on her own two feet as soon as they enter the greenery, as if answering a call from the cool air and the smell of the park path. Koharu, who claims to know the entire path, leads the way for everyone exclaiming, "Let's go down this path today!" Collecting small fallen branches and berries on the path, climbing a forked tree trunk, watching little dramas unfolding in the world of small ants and lady bugs... the hours spent amongst the trees leisurely unfold.
"Watching your children playing so happily is pure joy for a parent. And we get to join in the fun. When you think about it, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the things going on at home and not really spend so much time focusing on your children. But here, we can be completely involved with our children. Of course, a big reason for that is that there are only trees and dirt and sky here, but more importantly, it is testimony to the fact that we as adults are also incredibly relaxed here. I feel that by placing ourselves in an area where we can feel nature, family bonds are strengthened."

So far, the walk has extended for about an hour, including a bit of meandering. Lunches are spread out when they reach a favorite bench in a spot that the Irie family has dubbed "the chair place." Hideki points his camera on the children, who are scarfing down rice balls.
"I always take my camera along when we come here. There are just so many great shots you can take when the kids get so into playing and laughing so hard. This is a special place where I can take shots that are so different from the kinds of photos I take at work. Even if I get tired during the week, I feel better right away if I think 'We can go to the forest this weekend,' so a place with greenery is an essential part of life for me."
And Kayo, the mother who is active as an illustrated diary author, feels the same.
"When I need to clear my head while working at home, I take a stroll over to this place all by myself. And strangely enough, I start to get all sorts of ideas and feel refreshed. I recently started doing yoga amidst this greenery, too. That feels so good! This incredible place for children to play is also a wonderful spot for adults to enjoy and a source of refreshment and energy to ease a tired heart and mind. I really look forward to us all continuing to use this area in our own personal ways."