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September 18 - 21 2026
Kobe & Nishiwakura village, Japan
TWIST–SIIF Immersion Gathering: Japan 2026
The most powerful force in systems change isn't a new framework or a better funding model — it's a community of people who trust each other enough to think differently together.
This September, the TWIST Community will travel to Japan for an immersive gathering designed to build exactly that: the capacity to listen, sense, and act at the intersection of investment and transformation.
Objectives
Community relationship-building: Create an opportunity for TWIST participants to practice a systems-oriented approach through deep listening in the lived context of rural and urban Japan. The local space becomes more than a backdrop; it is a learning partner that helps us notice relationships, patterns, constraints, and possibilities.
Inner and outer exploration: Design a container that supports reflection and inquiry. Participants will be invited to listen inward, connect with others, and explore the relationship between Self and Place. The intention is to build the capacity to relate more attentively and listen intentionally.
Why Japan?
We want to step away from traditional Western frameworks to shed light on diverse, regional perspectives. We will "retreat in a place where change is happening," using a Japan-lens to understand how local, regional, and global systems are deeply intertwined.
By engaging with the concept of Satoyama—the integration of human and ecological systems—we will learn how land, culture, and livelihoods co-shape one another over time.
Japan Lense
Experience a non-Western perspective on systems change and community.Local–Global Connection
Sense how change at local, regional, and global levels is deeply interconnected.Retreat in Motion
Be in a place where change is actively unfolding—not observed from a distance.The Journey: Deep Listening & Sensing
The core intention of this gathering is to build your "systems orientation muscle". We will practice Deep Listening across three vital levels:
Individual (Self): Tracking what is present, reactive, and meaningful within your own practice.
Group (People): Sensing what becomes possible when we share attention across different languages and cultures.
Settlement (Place): Attuning to the context of a living system, where the local settlement itself becomes our learning partner.
Program Journey: From Urban Evolution to Rural Resonance
We have designed a three-day arc that moves from the resilience of the city to the deep integration of a mountain village.
Day 1: Kobe – Emergence & Reconstruction
Our journey begins in Kobe, a city defined by its ability to evolve and rebuild.
Connecting with Place: We start by experiencing the history of reconstruction, witnessing firsthand how a Japanese urban system adapts and thrives after profound change and natural disasters.
Building the Container: This day is dedicated to "Laying the foundations for trust building" and "Building the connections with place and one another".
Joy and Awakening: Expect a day of blossom energy, noise, and laughter as we connect to the country, the place, and our TWIST peers.
Days 2 & 3: Nishiawakura Village – Systems in Harmony
We then transition to Nishiawakura, a village actively reimagining its relationship with land and livelihood.
Retreat in Place: We step into a "place where change is happening" to sense-make how local and global systems are intertwined.
Human & Ecological Integration: We will "listen to the forest" and engage with the concept of Satoyama—the traditional Japanese system of human-nature integration.
Co-Shaping Over Time: Through direct experience and the voices of local stakeholders, we will explore how human and ecological systems are co-shaped over time.
Special Focus: Regional Revitalisation in Nishiawakura Village
A highlight of our immersion is a deep dive into Nishiawakura village, a community that serves as a living laboratory for investing for systems change. Here, we explore the real-world application of the Systems Change Collaborative (SCC), a partnership between SIIF and the A0 (A Zero) Group.
The Satoyama Philosophy: Nurturing Together
Our exploration is built around the provocation: “How can communities rich in nature also help people and nature thrive?” At the core of this journey is the concept of Satoyama—the Japanese tradition of working at the intersection of nature and humans.
As A0 CEO Daisuke Maki explains, their value of "nurturing together with nature" involves:
Mutual Growth: Humans and nature growing together while bringing out the best in each other.
Collective Care: People nurturing each other alongside nature.
The Highest Level: Nurturing life itself as the ultimate goal.
A Radical Partnership: The A0 Case Study
In Spring 2024, SIIF became a shareholder in A0, marking a landmark impact investment designed to support systemic solutions for rural communities. This partnership offers a rare, honest look at the complexities of systems-oriented investing:
The Investment: Born from a deep respect for nature and local community after a rigorous due diligence and site visit process.
The Challenge: While some parts of the A0 Group meet expectations, the nature-based businesses—those at the very heart of the Satoyama mission—often operate in the red or just break even.
The Systems Question: In a field that often demands quick returns, how do we stay committed when nature-based businesses struggle to "thrive" by traditional financial metrics?
Investment & access
Starting from USD $??? (inc. vat) | Approx. €???
We’ve designed our ticketing to be flexible, allowing you to customise your experience based on your travel needs and preferences.
Customising Your Stay
When booking your ticket, you will have several options to choose from:
Kobe (Day 1): You can choose to include or opt out of a stay at the [Specify Hotel Name] and the scheduled group dinner.
Nishiawakura Village (Day 2 & 3): For the remaining days, you can select your preferred accommodation from a variety of room types at either:
You are welcome to select the package that best fits your journey!
With thanks to our partners:
