By making use of the old components and structures of old folk houses and transforming them
into homes that are adapted to modern life, people living in those areas will be able to pass on the history and memories.
In addition, by reusing old folk houses,
we contribute to reducing the burden on the global environment, and by partnering with companies, lodging facilities in old folk houses have been created, making them very popular lodging destinations.
The benefits include being cool in the summer, having a spacious floor plan, and being completely free from the crowds of the city, which can only be experienced in old folk houses.

Coverage of the Omikawa Residence, an old folk house restoration here

The number of people engaged in farming is decreasing year by year due to the lack of successors in farming and the aging population.
Naturally, as the number of farmers decreases, the amount of abandoned farmland increases.
As weeds grow and become poorly managed, the land becomes more and more dilapidated, and if the land is considered to be a place
that is difficult for people to see, there is a risk that it will become a target for illegal dumping.
In order to increase Japan's food self-sufficiency rate and make agriculture sustainable, regeneration work, soil preparation,
planting, processing, and sales are carried out by farmers who take over dilapidated farmland and resume crop production,
as well as farmland intermediary management organizations.
In response to these trial efforts, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has established a subsidy system
to promote the utilization of degraded farmland, etc., to support the regeneration of degraded farmland.
The amount to be granted varies depending on the target project, so you will need to consult with the local government office and follow the necessary procedures to ensure that you receive the most appropriate support.
Farmland regeneration efforts are also being incorporated into the activities of regional revitalization cooperation groups.

This is an abbreviation for "local production - local consumption,'' meaning that agricultural, forestry,
and fishery products produced locally should be consumed locally as much as possible.
As Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is decreasing year by year, it is important to value locally available agricultural,
forestry and fishery products and to deepen our understanding of the relationship between production and consumption.

Interview with a rice farmer here
Interviews with vegetable farmers here

Life changes dramatically depending on the environment in which you live during marriage, childbirth, and raising children.
The advantage of moving to a rural area is that the fixed costs of housing are lower,
and you can live in a larger house than in the city, and you can live comfortably.
In addition, it is a place where you can raise your children in a place rich in nature,
there are few waiting lists for nursery schools, and there is a strong local community,
making it a safe environment to raise your children.
Although it varies by region, all local governments have extensive child medical expense subsidy systems.
Various initiatives have been implemented, including free medical care up to high school students,
day care for sick children that makes it easier for both parents to raise children,
and a 1 million yen subsidy to support housing for those raising children.
However, the disadvantages are that your options are limited in many ways, such as hospitals being far away,
there being fewer schools and classes, and no amusement facilities, which can make you feel uncomfortable.
Also, transportation is less convenient than in cities, so a car may be required depending on the location.

In order to revitalize a region, activities that value local events will also lead to regional revitalization.
Events attract many people and create a flow of people to the area.
It is also important to carry out events and measures that will increase the number of tourists
and the related population.
Recently, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, festivals have been canceled or postponed one after another,
but events are gradually recovering.

The event tree here
Interview with a community-based singer who values local events here

Nowadays, anyone can easily access the Internet, and SNS in particular can be said to be the easiest information dissemination tool.
A major feature of SNS is that information is highly disseminable, and by being seen by many people,
it is an optimal tool that can be expected to help local governments become better known and increase the number of tourists and immigrants.
In fact, video distribution by the mayor, local revitalization cooperation team,
and other people living in the area will lead to an increase in tourists and immigrants.

Compared to the number of universities in Tokyo, there are far fewer universities and educational institutions in rural areas,
and many students leave rural areas to attend university.
Therefore, in order to provide equal opportunities to higher education for young people and to develop human resources
in local communities, there are examples of establishing faculties and research institutes in rural areas far from the Tokyo area,
and examples of providing basic education in favorable environments.
A satellite campus initiative is underway.
By implementing this initiative, young people will gather in rural areas
and will have the possibility of finding employment or settling down in the future.
Furthermore, the number of departments offering regional revitalization studies at some universities is
increasing year by year, and it can be said that the interest and importance of the subject is increasing.

By expanding into rural areas, companies can reduce start-up costs, and hiring people who live in the area as
employees creates employment in new locations and contributes to society.
From an individual perspective, it has the appeal of being able to work in an environment rich in nature,
as well as being able to relieve stress from commuting and concentrate on work.

This is a project aimed at regional revitalization.
In order to revitalize local regions, we provide escort support and subsidies for business expenses (up to 2 million yen)
to people starting new businesses.
An executive organization selected by the prefecture will provide an amount
equivalent to one-half of the expenses necessary for starting a business.

[Target people]
When starting a new business (all of the following must be met)
In prefectures other than the Tokyo area (Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa prefectures) or in
disadvantaged areas within the Tokyo area (areas considered to be depopulated areas, mountain villages for promotion,
areas where remote island development measures are being implemented, areas where peninsula development measures are being implemented, etc.) Starting a social enterprise.
After the date of the government's grant decision, the applicant must register for private practice
or establish a corporation by the end of the subsidy project period.
Lives or plans to live in the prefecture where the business is to be started.

For those who commute or live in Tokyo's 23 wards (other than disadvantaged areas)
(Applicable to those commuting or living in Tokyo's 23 wards for a total of 5 years or
more in the 10 years immediately before moving, and the most recent 1 year or more (other than disadvantaged areas))
Up to 1 million yen *Up to 600,000 yen for single person
For those who attended a university in Tokyo's 23 wards, lived in the Tokyo area (excluding disadvantaged areas),
and got a job at a company in Tokyo's 23 wards after graduation, the period of commuting is also covered.
Application for migration support grant must be made within 3 months or more and within 1 year after moving in.
After applying, you have the intention to continue living in the place you moved to.

◎Details of the system, such as implementation period and payment amount, differ depending on each local government,
so please check the information published by the prefecture/municipality where the project will be implemented.

Transfer your residence card from urban areas to depopulated areas.
This is an initiative to help residents settle in the area while restoring old houses, regenerating farmland,
developing, selling, and promoting local products, engaging in agriculture, forestry,
and fisheries, and supporting residents.
The term of office is approximately one to three years.

JOIN　General social corporation Immigration and Exchange Promotion Organization　　https://www.iju-join.jp/

Interview with local revitalization cooperation team here

～For consultation on relocation in each region, please contact the Hometown Return Center～

Permanently displaying pamphlets and materials related to rural migration
We provide information on local living and are available for consultation.

Hometown return support center:https://www.furusatokaiki.net/

Click on the image to go to the site