As a lifelong adventurer, I specialize in off-the-beaten-path locations. Many roads in Akiyamago lack guardrails and require advanced driving skills. During my personal explorations, I travel freely before selecting safe spots to include in my Essence of Autumn Leaves itineraries, introducing participants to the area’s enchanting scenery. As an amateur historian, Akiyamago’s rich past inspires me to delve deeper. Samurai history, in particular, explains why settlements exist here. Its remoteness made it a haven for ronin—masterless samurai—seeking refuge. When a samurai lost their master in battle, they could commit seppuku (die with honour), join the enemy, or flee to the countryside to become a farmer and hunter. Yes, there were female samurai, known as onna-bugeisha. After the Battle of Sekigahara (October 21, 1600), many samurai and their families fled to the Akiyamago region to start anew. This area is one of the snowiest places on earth—extremely remote, with deep winter snows that provided a natural barrier from pursuers. During this year’s workshop, I shared the region’s samurai history while our group enjoyed the same magnificent scenes—golden gorges cloaked in autumn colours, plus rivers, waterfalls, and ponds reflecting vibrant hues—that these ronin once admired. Plus, we visited one of the region’s most sacred power spots, a Zen Buddhist Sanctuary. Here, we entered the main Buddhist shrine room freely to photograph, and monks did not watch over us as we photographed the national treasures on display. I visit this Buddhist sanctuary several times a year, and the monks are always happy when I bring visitors from abroad.