Satoyama: Japan’s Secret Watergarden

In Satoyama villages, each household boasts an integrated pool or water tank, partly situated indoors and partly outdoors, which receives a steady supply of spring water directly into a basin, ensuring an endless availability of fresh water. Residents utilize this feature to rinse out pots and cleanse newly harvested vegetables. Care must be taken not to discard food scraps back into the water, as this could contaminate the village’s water supply. Fortunately, carp play a vital role by cleaning greasy or burnt pans, taking care of the washing in these communities. Known as the riverside method, this traditional system is widespread throughout Japan, effectively cleaning the tank water before it flows back into the channel. Watch “Satoyama: Japan’s Secret Watergarden (2004)” to understand this delicate balance. You can stream it online for free on sites like cineby and 123Movies, right here on this site.