On May 16th, OECC organized a retreat trip to the lush nature setting of Mount Takao in Hachioji City, Tokyo, as part of our in-house training programs. The retreat combined nature-based activities with workshops, as a temporary escape from busy daily life to refresh our mind and body and spend time reflecting on oneself.
The day was a fulfilling one, fostering better work creation and execution for OECC, improving the work environment and promoting open communication, encouraging dialogue and interaction among staff members across departments and positions – all while providing the staff a chance to relax and recharge.
Activities to experience the rich nature of Mount Takao
For the morning nature activity, we welcomed an instructor familiar with the nature of Mt. Takao and went for an educational walk listening to a lecture about the mountain’s biodiversity. Despite its modest elevation of 599 meters, Mt. Takao is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Within its 7 km2 area, it boasts a compact haven of rich biodiversity, with 1,600 species of plants (compared to 1,500 in all of the UK and 1,700 on Yakushima Island), approximately 100 species of wild birds, and over 5,000 species of insects. It is a natural environment designated as a Quasi-National Park, Metropolitan Park, and a Nature Conservation Area. The natural environment there is so rich it’s hard to believe it’s only about an hour’s access from central Tokyo.
Guided by the instructor, we learned about the plants and insects inhabiting Mount Takao. In particular, we were surprised to discover the unexpectedly large number of plants with medicinal or poisonous properties – a new learning experience for many of us during this activity. Towards the end, we also had the opportunity to draw and drink spring water directly from the mountain, experiencing the bounty of nature with all our senses.
Through this experience, our interest in nature has increased and it has given us the opportunity to become more mindful of the environment and biodiversity in our daily life and work.
Building Connections Through Workshops and BBQ
In the afternoon, we spent time on workshops to exchange opinions about OECC’s operations and self-reflection. It was a valuable opportunity for members who rarely get to talk with each other during daily work to exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere and learn about each other’s thoughts and values.
Following the workshop, staff families joined us for a BBQ! The weather was perfect, and dining outdoors was exceptional, creating a fun time filled with smiles and conversation. Discovering different sides of our colleagues that are rarely seen in the workplace brought us closer together.
Through the Retreat
The retreat reminded us of the importance of connecting with nature and the significance of mutual understanding among staff members. Moving forward, this experience will guide us as we strive for even better teamwork and a stronger awareness of environmental issues.
