Kia ora, welcome

We were deeply moved as parents to witness the growth of my daughter, Mei, and my friend Haruka’s son, Rent. Though they were a bit shy at first, the natural, free-spirited atmosphere of Green School allowed them to quickly open up and express themselves with joy and confidence. From roasting marshmallows by the campfire, to exploring the forest, and singing and dancing with the New Zealand students—these experiences connected them with others beyond language, through the heart. They laughed together, played together, and dreamed together. I can’t put into words how powerful and inspiring that was for both of them. Haruka herself seemed to rediscover her inner child—whether it was camping in a tent, flying through the air on the zipline, or embracing Kiwi culture by walking barefoot into the supermarket. As a family, we were reminded of the joy of simply being alive.

Having the chance to speak directly with the principal and teachers, I was truly impressed by how the school’s philosophy—Know yourself, respect others, and live harmoniously with the Earth—is not just aspirational, but fully alive in daily practice. What moved me the most was the students themselves. Regardless of age, they were able to speak clearly about their dreams and values. They expressed themselves freely, with confidence and heart. Watching them learn, play, and connect so naturally with peers from all over the world—like the UK and Switzerland—helped me understand that true learning thrives in this kind of environment. Despite it being Mei’s first overseas camp, she exchanged emails with new friends and is already hoping to stay in touch. Rent was thrilled to score four goals in a soccer game and proudly told us, “I want to come back!”

These three days became a turning point for our entire family. It encouraged us to seriously consider what kind of life we want to live from here on, and reminded us that choosing how and where our children learn is truly choosing how we live. Of course, there are many practical considerations—immigration, tuition, living costs—but we also had the opportunity to speak for over three hours with a Japanese family currently living in New Zealand. Their insights were invaluable and gave us great clarity. Even so, this experience gave us hope, not hesitation—and that was the greatest gift.

Incidentally, the name of my company is Samurai Incubate, which I named 18 years ago inspired by the film The Last Samurai. I was amazed to learn during our flight to New Zealand that the film was actually shot near the very area we were visiting. It felt like destiny. Overseas, my nickname is Ken Samurai. Even when I lived in Israel, people called me that. Like the characters in the film, I, too, aspire to be a “new-generation Samurai” for this era—and I feel like this three-day journey has reignited that spirit within me. “Survive with purpose”—I will carry those words forward in my life.

Lastly, I’d like to express our deepest thanks to the principal, teachers, staff, and students who kindly welcomed us and showed us around, despite our visit being unannounced. We sincerely hope to return to this extraordinary place someday. With heartfelt appreciation