Getting off the beaten path to find peace and beauty in Hyogo By When Japan’s easing of borders finally allowed me back in the country earlier this year after spending three years away I was going to visit all those picture-perfect locations that had taunted me on Instagram and Pinterest during the many What I didn’t expect is that I would end up in a town I had never heard of and yet feel like I was immersed in a truly new experience.  As I had come back to Japan on a working holiday visa I felt that there was no better opportunity to travel around the country Using an online site that allowed me to find and connect with host families I wound up spending three weeks in a small town located in Hyogo called Kamigori.  Kamigori is one of these smaller Japanese towns that is slowly seeing a reduction in its population another victim of Japan’s great exodus from rural communities to the cities It lies about an hour away on the train from Kobe and 30 minutes from Himeji Whilst not actually being that far from these cities it felt distinctly separated and rural.  Nestled between multiple mountains with a great river running through it Kamigori is a rather tranquil location and I was worried upon arrival that I would find myself bored quite easily and eagerly wanting to move on I had fallen into the trap of turning every vacation Having lived in Japan for two years before I always wanted to fill my time here to the brim with experiences I was partaking in a form of toxic vacationing worrying that if I didn’t squeeze in as much as possible I would look back and have regrets In Kamigori I was finally granted the time and space to just be still I realized how much this town had to offer.  I got to stay in a beautiful traditional Japanese tatami room surrounded by a sumptuous garden a room I probably would not have been able to afford elsewhere on my budget travels In the afternoons I would take a bike and cycle to the center of town this becoming one of my favorite things to do during my time there.  I would often stop to watch the cranes wading through the rice fields see the clouds building up above the mountains and see the trains snake their way through the fields I came across the entrance to a shrine up the mountain where I found bats sleeping in the rafters and simply took in the ambiance with no crowds bustling through That isn’t to say that there is nothing else to do in the town The town is home to a number of artisans and thanks to the enthusiasm of my host family I was given the opportunity to go meet them and learn about their craft In the center of the town is the celebrated glass maker creator of stunning glassware characterized by its deep layering of color and his use of gold and silver leaf for decor with the roasting sun outside paled in comparison to the heat coming from his furnace shaping and teasing balls of molten glass into beautiful One of his pieces sits beside me as I write this Another artisan lives just a short drive away this time the acclaimed Katana-kaji (swordsmith) It had always been a dream of mine to see how katana blades are forged given the meticulous care that goes into making them one of the sharpest and most respected blades in the world Hayamitsu showed me how he heats the metal and folds it beating it to create the layers that make a katana blade so strong Both of these craftsmen offer classes and sessions for interested individuals to try their hand and learn more about what goes into the making of these beautiful items One thing I admire most about towns such as Kamigori is the community spirit they have and Kamigori has a particular way they bring together the young A handful of the townspeople recreate samurai yoroi (armor) using craft material left over from obi and kimono fabric.  the elders of the community pass down their skills to the local students who come to assist as they create numerous yoroi a festival is held where the community joins together and celebrates their town history as the leaves turn red in the mountains surrounding them.  Many of the traditions that we associate with Japan come from towns like Kamigori These ways of life are a deep part of the country’s culture It saddens me to know that these towns are gradually fading away due to Japan’s overall population decline and people leaving for work only found in major cities.  are just as much a part of the culture of Japan as Tokyo so whilst they are still here I believe they deserve a look in lest we lose this culture in the not-too-distant future From purple sweet potatoes to wild horse sightings here’s how to make the most of Okinawa’s tropical escape Explore the best local brands shaping Tokyo’s fashion scene From vintage clothing to Hawaiian-themed goods here’s what’s worth checking out before it’s gone From buying and registering a bike to key rules of the road Collagen staples for beauty and health in Japan Our handpicked list of the best events going on this month and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community Everything you need to know before and during a natural disaster Stay up to date with Tokyo news and events The complex reveals a set of four wooden buildings organized around a courtyard creating an open yet highly secure educational space for children.   one can catch a glimpse of children’s activities through the gap between the buildings children and teachers can enjoy a view of the surrounding mountains over the roof,’ notes the studio.  all images © Takumi Ota  For circulation and access, the architects (see more here) have installed an arched bridge that connects the Kamigori Nursery School’s corridors over the entrance court creating a direct link between the complex’s main hubs The team also made sure to clearly distinguish internal circulation (shoeless area) from external semi-outdoor space fitted with deep eaves over a veranda that goes around the courtyard Its gable ends extend over the childcare support room the complex reveals a set of four wooden buildings organized around a courtyard while the outdoors come up to 874 sqm. ‘For the interiors we tried to design it in detail so that the scale and finish along with the quality of space and scenery change little by little according to the developmental stage of the child; this creates an environment that easily and naturally fosters identity formation,’ concludes Katsuhiro Miyamoto & Associates an arched bridge connecting the Kamigori Nursery School’s corridors over the entrance court reflecting a child’s different developmental stages completion date: 2021 architecture Katsuhiro Miyamoto & Associates photography: Takumi Ota  designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information the scent of forests wafted into the vehicle through an open window A golf course designed by Japanese golfing great Isao Aoki appeared on the car’s GPS map which was using data that is now somewhat dated What emerged behind the brick-like gate was not a green fairway but a winding sea of glittering solar panels Though they have fallen out of fashion in recent years rural golf links may soon be back in vogue in Japan But not because of a comeback in the sport’s popularity Power generation companies across the country are finding that old courses like this one are ideal locations for new solar installations The former golf course has been converted into the Ako Mega Solar Power Plant which boasts some 260,000 solar panels that take up at least 76 hectares The establishment generates an estimated 125 gigawatt hours enough to meet the annual needs of 29,000 households The energy will be sold to Kansai Electric Power Co over 20 years via the government’s feed-in tariff system for clean energy It is expected to cut 50,000 tons of greenhouse gases a year The now-shuttered golf facility had opened in 1990 during Japan’s asset-inflated economic boom It was shut down for good in 2017 over financial difficulties According to private survey firm Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. the operator was struggling with sluggish revenues and a dwindling customer base For Tokyo-based electricity supplier Pacifico Energy KK which produces a total of 1.4 gigawatts of electricity from solar power nationwide the grounds were an ideal spot for a new solar farm “Golf courses provide great sites for solar power stations,” said Reina Kosuge trees need to be chopped down and the ground must be leveled Flood-control reservoirs must also be prepared to prevent torrential rain from causing landslides but golf links check almost all the boxes for the perfect development conditions Without having to do large-scale renovation work operators can turn a profit even if the power generated is traded at relatively low prices Solar power generation can be affected by their level of insolation and the undulating landscape can hamper the proper positioning of solar cells “Flat areas are ideal,” said an official of Asahi Dengyo Co. an Okayama-based company responsible for inspecting and maintaining the Ako Mega Solar Power Plant “The unevenness of the surface can lead to differences in output from solar panels in the morning Whether the actual performance is at the same level as the designed value should be monitored far more carefully.” But they have a big advantage in another problem area Despite the growing desire for greener energy production solar developments are not always welcomed by the locals Electricity producers sometimes struggle to win the consent of area residents for new developments near where they live Locals can file lawsuits to block solar farms from being built and raise criticisms about them for destroying the environment and natural scenery Pacifico Energy organized around 10 town hall style briefings for neighborhood associations to explain its solar project and update them on the construction progress Turning already developed golf courses into mega solar power stations is seen as an easier way for contractors to build a local consensus around these large-scale projects “There had been the risk that the golf course would be left to decay,” said a 66-year-old man living nearby who welcomed the Pacifico Energy project “It will be better for the land to be taken advantage of.” the number of golf courses rose rapidly across Japan in part due to the 1987 enforcement of the resort law But they began to increasingly draw criticism over the risk they could harm the environment through deforestation and use of agrochemicals Data from a national association of golf course operators shows there were 2,460 facilities in 2002 during the industry’s peak period The initial expense of building a golf course is already hefty not to mention course maintenance costs and other fixed expenses the sluggish economy and fewer people playing golf have dealt a blow to golf course operators If old golf courses are not repurposed after they close some worry the result could be a lasting “negative legacy.” the economy ministry released an estimate that said solar power generation will be the cheapest option compared to thermal or nuclear power in 2030 though the estimate did not consider expenses related to fluctuations in power output As more and more golf sites are appropriated for solar farms interest in using former golf greens for green power generation is expected to only grow further Pacifico Energy is operating and building a total of 15 mega solar farms Kosuge promised that the company “will spread the use of solar power while lessening the burden on the environment.” Companies are breathing new life into old mega solar farms Japan eyes 10% power output cut by FY 2030 with more renewables Chinese-affiliated firms hit with taxes for hiding 3 billion yen Japan to ease regulations to boost renewable energy output Blurring site of solar power generation raises costs to public Fukushima gains ground in plan to cover all power with renewables Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Are you interested in working for your rent while traveling across Japan When someone from overseas considers spending time in Japan there are usually three options: you come as a tourist and experience the country over a short period of time you move to work here and balance exploring alongside your work obligations the third option has been my favorite by far and this is down to the freedom you are granted on this particular visa can move from one city to another and you have the opportunity to explore Japan over a more prolonged period First things first, what is a working holiday exactly? A working holiday is a visa type that allows young people (up to the age of 30 upon application) from various countries (see the MOFA list) to come and explore Japan while also being allowed to work to supplement their travel costs The visa’s main requisite is that you are here to travel and a city I had spent little time in and was the home of a friend of a friend who was kind enough to help with the transition I thoroughly recommend that you allow yourself some time to acclimatize otherwise I suggest moving to a share house where foreigners and Japanese often live together and are potentially able to offer recommendations help with some of the paperwork and introduce you to life in Japan There are a few individuals on working holiday visas that use it as a base or stay here to begin with before moving on I was working as a writer for an online site and devoted half my days to writing I worked on my Japanese language skills and prepared myself for the next stage of my journey My recommendation for traveling, especially if you are on a budget, is to find sites online that show you places across the country where you can stay, work and explore without paying rent, while also making a little money. I signed up to a well-known working holiday site, WorkAway where host families or businesses offer rooms in exchange for some labor looking for places on my route from Osaka to Oita to see where I could stop for a few weeks at a time I reached out to the various hosts through the site I stopped for a few days on Awaji Island before heading to Mima in Tokushima Prefecture to stay with a friend for a week and then onto my first WorkAway stay in the small quiet town of Kamigori in Hyogo Prefecture I stayed with a wonderful couple who had a restaurant attached to their house that was open on weekends and was surrounded by a stunning garden space I slept in the traditional Japanese portion of their home for free and worked in the restaurant on weekends earning a little money and getting fed some excellent food This was the ideal spot for me, with my wonderful host, Hiring-san who was happy to introduce me to the local culture taking me on day trips and bringing me tasty treats she found ways to introduce me to the local culture I spent three weeks in Kamigori and they were some of the most tranquil and peaceful days I’ve ever had in Japan this opportunity was exactly why I’d wanted to come back on a working holiday It gave me the chance to connect with an area and community untouched by the crowds of tourists I could cycle around every day and discover something new it was simply watching the farmers working in the rice fields Staying here was inexpensive and truly rewarding then to Fukuoka where I stayed in another WorkAway spot right out in the deep countryside (the nearest tiny convenience store was a 30-40-minute bike ride away) This required some manual labor with no pay but in return I stayed free of charge and all my food was bought for me and to watch the phenomenal sunsets on the beach every night even though I had previously lived in Japan this was an entirely new experience for me The labor was hard but enjoyable and taking the time to disconnect and just be was wonderfully liberating I moved on to stay a week in hostels in Oita Prefecture’s famous onsen town of Beppu before making my way back to Osaka and then to Tokyo where I am currently settled having transferred to a working visa (but that’s another story) I’m by no means the first person to have traveled around Japan this way I have two friends traveling around the country in this way) For those coming to Japan with the goal of exploring connecting and engaging with life outside what you see in popular Instagram posts meeting new people and opening yourself up to new experiences has to be one of the best ways to spend your time on a working holiday I personally look back at this time with an enormous sense of gratitude and accomplishment A powerful typhoon that brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Japan was downgraded Friday to an extratropical cyclone after leaving three people dead and dozens injured A day after ripping through the western part of Japan Typhoon Krosa turned into an extratropical cyclone around 9 p.m west of the country's northernmost main island of Hokkaido landslides and floods because of an unstable atmosphere had forced around 1,700 travelers to stay overnight at Kansai airport in Osaka where 232 domestic and international flights were canceled The body of 71-year-old Noriyuki Kumabuchi Friday after he was swept away while fishing the previous night in a river in Kamigori (As of 9 p.m. Aug. 16)[Source: Japan Meteorological Agency] The body of 11-year-old Neneko Mori was found on the seabed about 120 meters off Shimoda in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka about six hours after she was swept away at around 11:30 a.m the typhoon caused high temperatures in a phenomenon known as a foehn wind in which moist air becomes warm and dry after crossing a mountain and blows down on the leeward side the mercury shot up to 36.5 C at 6:18 a.m. a record high for a minimum temperature in the country passengers formed long lines for drinking water and sleeping bags that were distributed for free The operator of the main international air gateway in western Japan had stocked items such as water and blankets for 12,000 people after a powerful typhoon last September left about 8,000 people stranded Strong winds triggered by Typhoon Jebi caused a tanker vessel to crash into the sole bridge connecting the airport on a manmade island to the mainland "We didn't have enough money to stay in a hotel so it was a relief to be given a sleeping bag," said Seiya Kurokawa a 20-year-old university student who was scheduled to travel to Thailand The weather agency forecast 200 millimeters of rain in Hokkaido in the 24 hours through 6 p.m Hokkaido is also expected to see gusts of 126 kilometers per hour while the Tohoku region will see gusts of 108 kph 1 dead, around 50 injured after powerful typhoon pounds western Japan 23 dead as 13,000 people hospitalized in week in Japan due to heat Olympics: Triathlete treated for suspected heatstroke after Tokyo test event To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent By Shin Torizuka and Noriko Ueda / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers The government has set about supporting female students who wish to pursue science and engineering at university It believes that having women enter these fields is indispensable to solving the labor shortage in such growth fields as digital technology The focus will be on whether the government can encourage reforms at universities that accept these students At the University of Hyogo’s Harima Campus for Science junior high school girls were trying to pipette a minute amount of liquid with serious looks on their faces on Aug They were conducting an experiment to create a reaction solution for PCR which is also used to test for the novel coronavirus “It was fun to learn how various things work together.” The event was organized by the Tatsuno municipal government in Hyogo Prefecture as part of the “Summer science challenge” program which is promoted by the Cabinet Office and other organizations to encourage girls to pursue the sciences 33 junior high school students from the city took a bus tour of local universities and research institutes the need for engineering personnel has been growing in such fields as IT and decarbonization Half of the 92 organizations participating in this year’s “Summer science challenge” were private companies such as Fuji Film Corp Trade and Industry Ministry estimates that there will be a shortage of up to 790,000 workers in IT-related fields by 2030 According to a labor force survey conducted by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry in 2021 out of the 2.56 million workforce in the information and communications industries there is an urgent need to foster women in engineering According to 2019 statistics released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) the percentage of women who majored in science and engineering fields at Japanese universities was 7% vice president of Tohoku University and an expert on women’s education said that there are few role models for women to guide their thinking and decisions on career choices adding that “it is difficult for girls to decide without hesitation to major in science at university.” A 42-year-old high school math teacher in Tokyo said ‘If they go on to graduate school in science they may delay getting married and they will have to pay high tuition fees.’” the government formulated a schedule to raise the percentage of all university students majoring in the sciences from the current 35% to 50% Science and Technology Minister Keiko Nagaoka said “We must overturn the gender bias and create a society in which men and women can decide on their university majors on an equal footing,” implying that she will particularly focus on supporting women to major in science there are also high expectations for “gendered innovation,” in which women bring fresh ideas to research and development established his own foundation and started a scholarship program for female students majoring in science and engineering He plans to invest ¥3 billion of his own money to expand the scholarship to about 1,000 students in the future The government’s timetable includes the launch in fiscal 2024 of a privately funded program to support female students studying science engineering Reforms on the part of universities are also urgently needed Nara Women’s University became the first women’s university to open a faculty of engineering this April and Ochanomizu University plans to establish what is tentatively called the Faculty of Transdisciplinary Engineering in fiscal 2024 The education ministry will establish a fund in fiscal 2023 to support universities aiming to create science and engineering faculties Nagoya University and other universities have even introduced a system to set a “female students quota” for entrance examinations in science and engineering fields it is difficult to introduce such a system on a large scale due to the desire for gender equality With competition over students intensifying due to the declining birthrate “just requiring students to take a mathematics test in the entrance exam will reduce the number of applicants It is hard to see any prospect of attracting more students,” said a senior official at a private university Our weekly ePaper presents the most 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