Koyaban: Keepers of the Mountain 2026

Directed by Shinya Fukazawa

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.