Abu

Abu Town, located in northern Yamaguchi Prefecture, is home to approximately 3,000 residents. Its unique position-surrounded on all sides by Hagi City, one of Japan’s top tourist destinations-was established around 20 years ago. During the nationwide “Great Mergers in the Heisei-Era,” Abu Town chose the path of autonomy. Even though it may be small, the town has embraced its identity as a “beautiful town”, by preserving its local treasures and fostering a community where every individual is visible, the town shines with a distinct character found only here whether in the sea and the mountains.

It's about an hour's drive from Shin-Yamaguchi Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen line. After driving along, the seaside road and passing the last convenience store in Hagi City, a large building with a spacious parking lot comes into view. This is “Roadside Station Abu Town”, the heart of the community and Japan’s very first roadside station*, established in 1991.
Stepping inside, the first thing that catches the eye is a dense crowd of people. Peering through the bustle, rows of freshly caught fish from the Sea of Japan are packed tightly on display—at prices so low they seem almost unbelievable. While fresh fish is difficult to ship for long distances, those who know the value of this market come from near and far, creating a steady stream of visitors. As soon as the backroom staff replenish the ice-cold display cases with the latest catch, hands immediately reach out from all directions. Smiling customers eagerly gather around, holding their prized selections. Their joy, in turn, adds to the lively energy of this special place.
“This is Japan’s Vatican City,” says Mayor Hanada. Despite being surrounded by Hagi City—except for its coastline—due to the municipal mergers of the Heisei era, there is no sense of pessimism in its current state. On the contrary, it is precisely because the town has maintained its size that detailed policies have accurately captured the wishes of the residents and fostered a sense of self-governance that “protects and supports the treasures of the region in the region,” as was made clear through interviews in various areas.
Abu is broadly divided into two regions called Urakata, or coastal areas called Jigata, or mountainous inland areas. In both, innovative and pioneering community development initiatives are actively being pursued. More than that, there is a palpable drive to keep pushing forward. The town is, in a way, a showcase of outstanding local projects and a hub of passionate, forward-thinking individuals. The sheer energy and ambition here were nothing short of striking.
Abu Town joined the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan Association in 2022, making it the newest member to date. As Toshio Tanaka of Umoregi no Sato (P.00) once said, “New energy brings vitality.” Taking that to heart, we, too, may find value in looking at our own communities through the lens of Abu’s spirit and innovation.
*Roadside Station Abu Town opened as a pilot facility in 1991 and was officially designated as a roadside station in 1993.

Interviewed in January, 2025