Welcome to our community, where we believe in a society that values authentic living in harmony with nature. We believe in the power of creativity, self-directed learning, and passion-following, and we're dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for children and adults alike.
At our core, we value integrity, respect, responsibility, and accountability, and we strive to incorporate these values into everything we do. We believe that innovation and growth are essential to success, but we also believe in the importance of justice, equitable treatment, and service to others.
We believe that children have fundamental rights, and we prioritize trusting them to take ownership of their learning and development. We know that play is a fundamental need, and we believe that education should help individuals find their humanity and explore their passions. We believe that the current education system is not preparing our children for the future, and we are actively working to change that.
We offer two main programs: our Kinone Agile Learning Center and Kikanasu Forest Kindergarten.
Kikanasu
Forest Kindergarten
Our Kikanasu Forest Kindergarten program is designed for children ages 3-12 who are ready to take their learning outdoors. We believe that spending time in nature is crucial for children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development, and our forest kindergarten provides ample opportunities for exploration and discovery in the natural world. During each session, children will spend their time playing and learning in the forest, mountains, rivers, and oceans, with a focus on free play and emergent curriculum.
*Children under 3 can participate as long as they are accompanied by a guardian.
★Place：Kinonezaka, Sakegawa Village, Yamagata (or at other locations in the prefecture)
★When：At least two weekends every month（details regarding locations, dates, and time are provided on our website and through our official LINE account.
★Time：10:00〜15:00
★Pickup/Drop-off service：Available for an extra fee for some locations, or upon request.
★Please prepare a lunch and gear for the day. A list is provided in the details of every event.
Kinone Agile Learning Center
At Kinone, we believe in empowering children to take ownership of their education. That's why we offer an Agile Learning Center, a unique approach to learning that puts students in the driver's seat.
Our Agile Learning Center is a place where students ages 3-18 can explore their interests, pursue their passions, and develop the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Our program is designed to be flexible and adaptive, so students can work at their own pace and focus on what matters most to them.
The Agile Learning Center is important because it provides an alternative to traditional schooling, which can be rigid and inflexible. By giving students more control over their learning, we help them become self-directed and independent thinkers who are prepared to tackle the challenges of the future.
Our approach is liberating and allows children to break free from the constraints of standardized curriculum and testing. Instead, they can explore their creativity, collaborate with others, and develop critical thinking skills in an environment that is supportive and nurturing.
We invite you to join our community and experience the power of liberated learning for yourself. Join us in creating a brighter future for the next generation of learners. Book a Kikanasu Forest Kindergarten session, enroll in our Agile Learning Center, or join us for a trial session or one of our many events. We can't wait to see what your child will achieve with us!
Multiple DatesSun, Mar 31鮭川村Mar 31, 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM鮭川村, 日本、〒999-5203 山形県最上郡鮭川村川口
- Multiple DatesSun, Feb 25鮭川村Feb 25, 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM鮭川村, 日本、〒999-5203 山形県最上郡鮭川村川口
- Multiple DatesSat, Jan 27鮭川村Jan 27, 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM鮭川村, 日本、〒999-5203 山形県最上郡鮭川村川口
Wed, Dec 27SakegawaDec 27, 2023, 10:00 AM – Dec 30, 2023, 12:00 PMSakegawa, Kawaguchi, Sakegawa, Mogami District, Yamagata 999-5203, Japan- Multiple DatesSun, Dec 03Location is TBDDec 03, 2023, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMLocation is TBD
- Multiple DatesSun, Aug 27鮭川村Aug 27, 2023, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM鮭川村, 日本、〒999-5206 山形県最上郡鮭川村曲川番外地
Multiple DatesThu, Aug 03鮭川村Aug 03, 2023, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM鮭川村, 日本、〒999-5206 山形県最上郡鮭川村曲川番外地- Sun, Jul 23遊佐町 （釜磯海遊び）Jul 23, 2023, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM遊佐町 （釜磯海遊び）, 日本、〒999-8521 山形県飽海郡遊佐町吹浦西楯
- Sat, Jul 08舟形町 (小国川）Jul 08, 2023, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM舟形町 (小国川）, 日本、〒999-4605 山形県最上郡舟形町長沢
Join our Community
We're the only bilingual self-directed education community in Yamagata, and we're committed to creating inclusive, affordable programs that guarantee meaningful experiences for all participants. Our dedicated staff bring years of experience and diverse points of view to the table, valuing deeply the input of children, parents, and community members. We prepare children with the tools and attitudes necessary to make a better future, making real changes in our society to address the most pressing problems facing all of us today.
If you're looking for community, lifelong learning, and a space for your child to live their own, authentic life, then we invite you to join us. Whether you're interested in joining a Forest Kindergarten session, enrolling in our Agile Learning Center, joining an event or workshop, donating, volunteering, or working with us, we have something for everyone. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to be a part of a community that values empathy, compassion, and acceptance, and prioritizes trust, play, autonomy, and flexibility. Join us on this journey to create a better, more inclusive society that values authentic living in harmony with nature. Let's empower children to embrace their individuality, find purpose in life, and create a brighter future for us all.
