Forest Park Adatara is my meditation sanctuary

Spending the day resting at a cabin sponsored by the wonderful people at Forest Park Adatara!

Mt Bandai is an active volcano located in Fukushima Prefecture Japan, with a height of 1819m. Behind the mountain lies the city of Fukushima.

Two years ago I accidentally stumbled upon this glamping sanctuary on my solo roadtrip to Japan. I got the guys in my office to randomly pick a campsite to surprise me and I drove to where the GPS directed without questioning what it was going to be like. Having camped in many places across the globe, I was more than ready for whatever conditions would appear, even toilet or not, but I wasn't expecting this.

Two years later, I'm back again at this luxurious glampsite, where the campsites are carefully demarcated with pretty stones, the park thoughtfully manicured in a wild way and the cabin cozily snugged amidst the forest floors. There's even an unexpectedly beautiful onsen with an outdoor bath area.

Yet physical beauty isn't just the only thing it offered. I made some wonderful connections with the people at the park. A certain Teddy bear, a fuzzy eyebrow guy, a big smiley bear among many others and of course a very special person who has come to be my dear friend, Emi.

They say places only have meaning when attached to people and memories and Fukushima is that one special place for me. The place where I rested and recuperated my weary soul. Today it became a place where I rest and recuperate my weary feet and body. Just like that, I am ready to be on my way again.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored our night's stay at this beautiful cabin!!! What an apt analogy... a cabin in the mountains for travellers to rest their tired bodies and be on their way... except I know that I'll always be back!

Michelle Yang