Our guest today
Maha Kikugawa
Summary
For Maha Kikugawa, belonging begins in nature. Growing up in Japan, later studying ecosystem science in the US, and living in Europe, she developed a global perspective — and a deep respect for natural environments. That foundation shaped her journey of creating Treeful Treehouse in Okinawa with her father, built around one core idea: coexistence with nature.
As Maha reflects on what it means to create experiences rooted in coexistence, she explores the relationships between forests, local communities, and ourselves. From designing treehouses that respect the land they stand on to building a global community through authenticity rather than advertising, she shares why today’s travelers aren’t searching for more — they’re searching for meaning. At its heart, this episode is a reminder that belonging isn’t something we build from scratch; it’s something we return to.
【Her Story】
- Growing up with a global experience to building a brand
- Building Treeful Treehouse around the concept of coexistence with nature, from architecture and energy systems to daily guest experience
- How Treeful gained international attention (CNN, National Geographic, and Vogue — just to name a few!) through authentic storytelling and word of mouth, without paid advertising
- Designing experiences for travelers seeking something different from conventional hotel stays
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