Jinja no Mori no 8MATO Reopens After 3.5 Years with Rebranding at the Foot of Mount Yatsugatake, 1,000m Above Sea Level

Net Commerce Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 3-14-7 Kichijoji Higashi-cho, Musashino City, Tokyo; CEO: Masayoshi Saito) will relaunch its cafe and co-working facility 'Jinja no Mori no 8MATO (Yamato in the Forest of the Shrine)' in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, on July 15, 2026, under the new brand concept 'Our Future Lies Within This Forest.'

The interior has been completely renewed, and cafe functions have been significantly enhanced. Through menus featuring ingredients from Mount Yatsugatake and health-conscious offerings, as well as unique forest-based events, the facility will transform into an inclusive 'forest where future ways of living are envisioned,' welcoming not only workers but also local residents and families with children.

8MATO's 3.5-Year Journey — 'Making Gathering the Ultimate Experience'

In January 2023, as the pandemic began to subside, 'Jinja no Mori no 8MATO' opened. With remote work becoming the norm, people were gathering less frequently. Yet this period also made us realize how wonderful and valuable it is for people to come together and talk.

'Make gathering the ultimate experience!'

Precisely because of this era, we wanted to create a place at the southern foot of Mount Yatsugatake, 1,000 meters above sea level, surrounded by broadleaf forest, where people could work, learn, and connect. With this message, we opened 8MATO.

The Main Building Amidst the 8MATO Forest

8MATO is adjacent to Yagumo Shrine. Out of respect for being allowed to use the sacred forest, and because the shrine's historical role—as both a 'sacred space' for the community and a hub for disseminating the latest technology and culture—aligns with 8MATO's vision, we adopted 'Modern Shrine' as our design concept. The 'floating terrace in the forest,' extending over the forest slope, offers a theater-like space where visitors can feel immersed in the forest of Mount Yatsugatake regardless of weather, under a large roof. Additionally, the facility, built using traditional Japanese techniques such as 'ishibatate' (stone foundation without concrete) and wooden joinery, provides a sense of peace without confronting nature.

Initially launched as a workation/co-working facility, it was widely used as a workspace and for corporate training and offsite meetings. Over time, its usage expanded significantly to include yoga classes, mindfulness and retreats, forest kindergartens, art galleries, and wedding receptions. In addition to tent sites, trailer houses were installed to allow easy overnight stays, and the irori hut 'Kabutomushi' allows guests to enjoy a bonfire even on rainy days. The introduction of game meat dishes and game BBQ has further enhanced its culinary appeal.

Building on these 3.5 years of experience and the enhancement of facilities and services, we have redefined 8MATO's concept and are embarking on a new beginning.

New Brand Concept: 'Our Future Lies Within This Forest'

The Path Leading to the 8MATO Grove

In our daily lives, constantly rushing and bound by digital screens, has the outline of 'living richly' gradually blurred? We invite you to pause your forward rush, even briefly, and visit this forest. The important things you may have left behind somewhere are surely waiting to be found here.

Trailer Houses for Overnight Stays in the Forest

8MATO makes three promises to all who visit this forest.

Promise 1: Awaken the Senses — We deliver 'blank space' and 'silence' to you. Rest your eyes and hands tired from digital devices, and awaken your senses—listening, smelling, touching, tasting—one by one.

Promise 2: Interact Like a Forest — We welcome you just as you are. Just as various tree species mix in a broadleaf forest, visitors from afar and locals living nearby are all forest dwellers here.

Promise 3: Circulate the Blessings — We connect 'receiving' with 'giving back.' Wood, soil, fire, food, and human encounters. We share the cycle of receiving the forest's blessings through our five senses and returning them to nature and society.

What we want to deliver is not coffee, desks, or chairs. It is the experience of realizing something within yourself has changed—an experience unique to this forest—what we call 'inspiration.'

The New 8MATO — Five Initiatives

'Game Meat Curry' made from locally hunted deer and 'Mori-mori Salad' generously filled with vegetables from Mount Yatsugatake

Relaunch under the New Brand Concept We will thoroughly pursue the concept 'Our Future Lies Within This Forest' in every aspect of the facility, menu, events, and hospitality.

Interior Renewal and Cafe Function Enhancement We have renewed tables, lighting, and decorations, significantly enhancing cafe functions while continuously hosting attractive events.

Fronting the 'Forest Cafe' — A Place Anyone Can Visit Easily Moving beyond its previous image as a workation/co-working facility, we are now highlighting the cafe. As a place easily accessible even outside work hours, we welcome local residents and families with children.

Menus Focused on Mount Yatsugatake Ingredients To maximize the appeal of 8MATO's forest setting, we offer menus emphasizing local ingredients and health. These include fermented game meat (deer) curry, game meat kaiseki lunch, soft-serve ice cream made from local blueberries, 8MATO blend coffee, and herbal tea from local wild plants. For game meat, we use ingredients from 'Yamatsumi Gibier' in Hokuto City. Thanks to quick and careful processing, the meat is rich in flavor with no gamey odor, available as game meat lunch, game meat and mountain vegetable kaiseki, and game meat BBQ. To allow guests to enjoy these meals picnic-style within 8MATO's forest, we also offer picnic baskets (services will be rolled out sequentially as preparations are completed).

Events Leveraging Mount Yatsugatake's Nature and Forest We host unique events only possible in this forest, such as yoga and meditation in the woods and retreats. Additionally, we are currently running the experiential learning program 'Life, Food, and Forest—Considering the Meaning of Itadakimasu' (a three-part series) co-hosted with Yamatsumi Gibier and Hokuto Fan Club. This essential food education program allows families to experience hunting, butchering, cooking, and dining, learning the true meaning of 'itadakimasu.'

Cafe Tables Made from a Single Large Hinoki Cypress Board

Would You Like to Host Your Own Event Here?

8MATO welcomes those who wish to host their own events. Unique spaces like the 'floating terrace in the forest' can serve as the stage for your project.

We do more than just rent out space. Our staff, who know this forest inside and out, will assist you from planning consultation to on-site operations and arranging meals, including game meat dishes.

Retreat and Yoga Events

Let us help you bring to life the idea of 'what if we could do this' in this forest. Indeed, we want our guests to become the authors of this forest's story—that is what we value most.