A Japanese gentleman, Satoru Kikugawa, transformed his childhood fantasy of constructing a treehouse into a remarkable reality. Raised in Tokyo, Kikugawa cherished the natural world during his frequent visits to his family's summer retreat in the countryside. His aspiration to own a treehouse was ignited by a Japanese children's book titled "I Want a Big Tree." However, it was not until many years later, during a family vacation to Borneo, that he felt an urgent need to actualize this dream. Kikugawa was deeply affected by the sight of vast forests being cleared to make way for palm plantations from an airplane. He remarked, "While I understand the economic benefits of timber sales, such practices have a detrimental impact on carbon levels and biodiversity. I pondered on ways to preserve the environment while still providing a livelihood for local communities." This realization marked the inception of Treeful, an exclusive resort located in Okinawa prefecture.

Faced with a singular challenge—Kikugawa had no prior experience in building a treehouse—he juggled his role as the chairman of Gala, Inc., a company specializing in role-playing video games, with his newfound passion. He turned to online tutorials on YouTube to learn the intricacies of carpentry, including the use of a circular saw and other tools. After years of trial and error, he managed to acquire a plot of land in the forested region of Okinawa. Contrary to conventional methods, Kikugawa did not fell any trees to make way for his project; instead, he sought out the perfect tree to embrace and built his treehouse around it.

Initially, Kikugawa received little support for his unconventional idea, with many dismissing him as a wealthy individual seeking a new hobby. However, his daughter Maha was a staunch believer in her father's vision. Maha, who was instilled with a love for nature from a young age, pursued a degree in ecosystem science and policy at the University of Miami. She accompanied her father on expeditions to Costa Rica and the United States to explore similar treehouse projects.

Kikugawa completed his first structure, the Spiral Treehouse, in 2014, which laid the foundation for what would become Treeful. Maha expressed her admiration for her father's dedication to creating a better world through treehouses, stating, "From a young age, my father taught me the significance of nature. Now, we collaborate on this sustainable treehouse resort to safeguard it and convey its value to others."

Today, Treeful boasts four treehouses, each designed to minimize environmental disruption. The AeroHouse, for instance, is elevated 1.2 meters above the ground to protect the local wildlife's habitat. Instead of metal bolts, wooden dowels are used, and the rooms are equipped with composting toilets. The well water is sanitized using ultraviolet light, eliminating the need for chlorine. The floors and ceilings are crafted from shredded wood, allowing sunlight to penetrate and nourish the plants beneath, thus preserving the ecosystem. Even the in-room decor, such as lamps and bookshelves, is crafted from naturally fallen stones and branches from the forest. The resort's goat, Donna, maintains the grassy areas.

After seven years of dedication to building his treehouse, Kikugawa opened the resort in 2021. Since its inception, it has garnered several design accolades and was recognized by Guinness World Records for housing the world's lowest treehouse, which is an impressive "3.6 meters (11 feet 9 inches) below the base of the host tree." Kikugawa's ambitions extend beyond Japan's borders; he is collaborating with the Cambodian government on a project to construct treehouses within Phnom Kulen National Park near Siem Reap. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat illegal logging, as Cambodia has lost over 38,000 hectares of forest—nearly 9%—between 2016 and 2021, prompting USAID to terminate its forest protection program despite an investment exceeding $100 million.

Kikugawa aspires to expand his business internationally, stating, "I want to grow this enterprise and take it global." A visit to Treeful requires advance planning, as it is a 90-minute drive from Okinawa's Naha Airport (OKA) or a three-hour bus journey (with a transfer) from the town of Genkawa Iriguchi. The Treeful staff recommends arriving before sunset, as the resort eschews artificial lighting and the forest becomes quite dark after dark. Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort is located at 2578, Genka, Nago City, Okinawa, 905-1141, Japan.