By Life Where I’m From

Nishiawakura, a tiny village nestled deep in the northern mountainous region of Okayama Prefecture, serves as a remarkable model of sustainability. The video by 'Life Where I’m From' explores how this rural community is tackling the modern challenges of depopulation and forest degradation by implementing a visionary 100-year sustainability plan centered around its abundant forests.

Officially home to around 1,300 people, Nishiawakura is 95% forested and has committed to managing its forests as a long-term investment. The village launched the ‘Hyakumori Project’ with the intention of maintaining healthy woodlands while revitalizing the local economy. Local initiatives such as woodworking businesses, environmental education centers for children (like the 'Nest' third-space program), and eco-tourism strategies are critical elements of this plan. Many of these initiatives actively engage young entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and families from cities who seek a renewed lifestyle in rural Japan.

The village is also addressing energy sustainability by using biomass boilers to heat community buildings, converting thinning wood into fuel—reducing waste and dependency on fossil fuels. High-tech forest management tools like LiDAR and QGIS-based mapping technology aid in maintaining forest health and planning for sustainability.

Partnering with start-ups and organizations such as the A-Zero Group, local leaders have created self-sustaining economies based on renewable resources and experiential tourism. Nishiawakura has become a beacon for other communities in Japan, showing how rural areas can flourish without compromising ecological values. The video gives a comprehensive look at how careful planning, community involvement, and innovative thinking are setting the future course for this forest village.

If you're looking to experience a different side of Japan—one rooted deeply in nature and sustainability—Nishiawakura offers an inspiring and eye-opening journey.