The center was founded in 1981 for offering after-school activities to so-called latchkey schoolchildren, and has continued to function as a community center for quality after-school programs. Many children participated in various programs that allowed them to enjoy constructively their after-school hours until they matured enough to be on their own after school. Recently, the negative aspects of children’s social environment has become a societal topic, seen in the bullying problem at school and child abuse which are frequently covered by the media. The center plays an important role in offering a place where children can relax and socialize with one another as well as with local residents. We help them to learn social skills all set in the healthy environment of a traditional sacred shrine forest. This also helps themcultivate their receptive minds thereby facilitating their love of nature and people.