Maze
Eiji Koike

The origin is from the regional conservation activities of the former Maze-mura. Even after the merger with Gero City, they have been working for regional development under the initiative of the residents in cooperation with the city.
The existence that can be said to be driving force behind this is Eiji Koike. He has been leading the activities by teasing out the thoughts of the residents with his gentle smile while making use of his experience from the Forestry Agency.

If you keep doing anything even small things, you will see the light in turn.

I was born in the Soshima district of the former Mazemura and still live there. After graduating from high school and university in Gifu City, I was in Tokyo for a long time. Ireturned to Maze at 51 years old.
In 1994, I was relieved that I resumed living in Maze for the first time in 35 years. However, at the same time, when I looked from the outside, I remember feeling, “It would be better if I could make efforts based on various ideas through a slightly different perspective.” At that time, I reencountered the late Professor Emeritus Yukio Ouchi, who was a teacher at my university. It was around 1996 that I started activities with a small study session after receiving advice from my teacher, “Why don't you work with an interest in regional revitalization?” Professor Ouchi greatly broadened our knowledge such as “Mazegawa Eco River System”, but above all, he seemed to really enjoy interacting with the residents. He was a scholarly person and eager in his studies. I still feel that the fact we were able to invite such a person to Maze is a regional asset.
Although the merger as Gero City was a difficult decision, taking this opportunity, in 2004, we declared the establishment of “Maze Regional Natural Park” by Residents' own. Our new step began from here.
It was around the same time that I learned about the existence of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Japan” union. I happened to know the establishment of the union in an article in the newspaper, and I remember that I sympathized with the philosophy and immediately made an inquiry.
In 2007, the Maze area became the first member of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Japan” union in the region. Their participation was not only endorsed by the “Beautiful Village” brand, but also an opportunity to gain new knowledge about development of the region.

Interviewed in April, 2021
Writer : Mikiko Tamaki / Photographer : Kenta Sasaki